One thing I've noticed this year is that mixtape DJs are finding great ways to package a product. When I saw Wally Sparks' new Sleepy Brown double disc mixtape I was excited. For one I've never seen anyone put together an entire mixtape that's just Sleepy Brown. Wally does it up big double disc style with two slick looking covers and has labelled it as The Definitive Sleepy Brown Collection.

The first disc is the Funk brother side. Wally plays some of Sleepy's funkiest material and at very least has a continuous mix feel to it. While there isn't any juggling or any scratching the mixtape still flows smoothly. I was feelin Bendin Corners that shit is on some recline back and ride slow shit. Wally don't forget about playing some of the old classics like Outkast's Crumblin Herb. Sometimes I wish Outkast would just go back to the old days of Cadillacs and Pimping. I can't believe I never heard Slim Calhoun with Snoop Dogg and Sleepy Brown on How Much Weed Can I Smoke. That's my cue to put it in the air! Damn that song is the highlight of the first disc. Grind On is more of that laid back southernplayalisticadillacfunkymusik that made you love Sleepy Brown in the first place. Falling In Love Again and that last joint I mentioned seem like they could have fallen into the Soul side of things to me.

Let's move on to the Soul Brother side. After all that smoking I need to relax and get into pimp mode. Wally Wall starts this side of with possibly my favorite Outkast song of all time with Spottieottiedopalicious. Don't get much more classic then that song. That joint is dying for some juggling though. It's okay though cause I'm on to the next song Still Smokin. That joint is on some re-defining the word smooth type shit man. Sleepy Brown is that next generation Funk. Literally his pops was the lead vocalist of the funk group Brick. Wally picked some fresh cuts to start this soul side. The first six joints get my certified pimp seal of approval. After that shit gets real funky for like the next five cuts. Then it smoothes back out on Choked Out Saturday Night. Underwater Love is dat official P-Funk man you gots to keep the P in it. Wally ends this joint appropriately with Sleepy Brown and Big Gipp's classic collab Steppin Out.

You know I'm not sure if I've ever heard a Wally Sparks mixtape before but I think I might of been expecting more DJ skills. Considering that he's down with The League Crew. That's a thing with the mixtape game that bothers me. When DJs do an artist mixtape and don't put any work into the mix. I think more DJ's should try to make artist mixtapes a tribute to that artist. Especially when it's a legendary artist such as Sleepy Brown. For the fans that have the Sleepy's Theme album and the Society of Soul album you've probably heard most of this material. I'm giving this joint a three. One for the concept, one for the package, one for the music and then you lost that chance at a classic with the lack of DJ skills. (6/22/06)