Def Dee’s production acumen caters to that nebulous and finicky cluster of hip hop heads otherwise known as “true schoolers.” It’s an audience that favors the production stylistics defined by their arenose breaks, abrupt sample flips, and dexterous record scratches. I’m speaking of the Golden Era apologists, of course, and Seattle area producer (and Mello Music Group recording artist) Def Dee lives and breathes that “revival.”

33 And A Third is the producer’s first full-length album for the other MMG. It’s a work in continuity from his last full-bodied collection, Gravity, this blog’s favorite local rap album of 2010. 33 is yet more refined in the ways of traditional boom-bap and it’s clear Def hasn’t run out of ideas. He’s similar to our region’s other like-minded producers such as Jake One, Vitamin D and BeanOne in that all are virtuosos in the fine art of extracting fresh ideas from well-tilled soil. 33 is intended for a national audience but features local stalwarts like Grynch, Mic Phenom, Chev, and La. (Also, dig the Cortez jersey Def Dee is rocking on the album cover.)