Kool Keith-Sex Style 2LP

The first solo album released under Kool Keith's own name, Sex Style expands the dirtier parts of Dr. Octagonecologyst into a near-concept album. Sometimes a pimp, sometimes a pervert, Keith dubs his new approach "pornocore," cribbing dialogue from sex flicks to support astoundingly explicit raps that go places 2 Live Crew never had the capacity to imagine. Not only that, but when Keith turns his attention to inferior MCs, his disses are usually couched in elaborate sexual metaphors (a striking number of which involve water sports). Some songs do deviate from the theme, or at least tone it down a little, and while a few serve as a welcome respite, others simply don't have as much personality. The over the top raunch is Keith's main focus, and that's where the vast majority of the album's most imaginative rhymes come from. That makes Sex Style a polarizing entry in Keith's catalog. Musically, it's one of his most consistent solo outings, especially if you're just looking at the ones under his own name. It definitely benefits from production by KutMasta Kurt, who may not be as wildly inventive as Dan the Automator, but knows how to frame Keith's idiosyncratic flow with deep, funky beats. Thus, the album is borderline necessary for Keith fans; it really depends on your tolerance for the extremity of songs like "Sex Style," "Don't Crush It," "Make Up Your Mind," "Regular Girl," "Little Girls," or "Lovely Lady." But it is a chance to hear one of the freakiest rappers of all time at his freakiest.

Condition: VG

Barcode: 720401100610

Catalog Number: KTR-006

Originally Released: 1997

Known issues: none

Special Characteristics: none

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Below are the grading guidelines I follow.  All records are visually graded unless otherwise noted.

• Mint (M) Absolutely perfect in every way.  Never played or still sealed.

• Near Mint (NM) A nearly perfect record.  No obvious signs of wear on the LP.  Cover has no creases, folds, seam splits, cutout holes or other defects.  

• Very Good Plus (VG+) Record shows somesigns that it was played and otherwise handled.  Record surface may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scatches that do not affect playback.  Picture sleeves and inner LP sleeves may show some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. 

• Very Good (VG) Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc.  Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise.  Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.  Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached.  The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers.  However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.

•Good (G), Good Plus (G+) Good does not mean bad!  A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put on a turntable and will play through without skipping.  But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear.  A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine.  Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.

•Poor (P), Fair (F) The record is cracked, badly warped, and wont play through without skipping or repeating.  The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and writing.  The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside of it.  Inner sleeves are fully seam split, crinkled and written upon.

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