"Ever since I first heard Holy Hip-Hop back in 1989, I've always
hoped for an artist to arise from my own neck of the woods. In 2007,
here he is! Mellow Drum Addict is about to take first the
underground, then the industry by storm. "Strides Ahead of tha Half
Step" is simply amazing: something I never thought I'd hear come out
of central Pennsylvania. Filled to the brim with jazzy loops and
samples, guest artists such as Cas Metah and JustMe of the recently-
signed-to-Illect-Recordings Scribbling Idiots and amazing production
by SameOldJake and others this album at 17 tracks is worth all of
your hard earned dough and more.

"Strides Ahead of tha Half Step" kicks off this release with cuts by
DJ Wick-It and some nice shout outs from fellow MCs and a freestyle
at the end! "V.H.S." hits hard with more cuts by DJ Wick-It. I love
the sax sample, driving beat and keys on this song that introduces my
man Mellow to the world. "Writer's Block" brings Sivion and Luke
Geraty to take MCs to school on the ABCs of writing and the source of
creativity: God.

"Bus Pass" brings it to the streets with flutes and recognitions
of "know(ing) where we goin' but this is where we comin' from"
featuring Rawface & Sage Sensai (check the 2nd Stops with RE:son and
Spoken Nerd) with cuts by DJ Juvenile. "Draw Back...Release" feels
like some Sesame Street style groove from the 70s and it works. It's
about time for "hitting hard with...archery", is all I can
say... "629 Pine St." is an all-to-real scenario of a family as
broken down as their house. The vocals on the chorus make this one
quite accessible.

"First Step" is my favorite with an infectious piano loop and guest
vocals by the afore mentioned artists from Scribbling Idiots. Self-
control, patience, and "foot-in-mouth" syndrome are address - all
issues I can relate to. "Oh Brother" is a heartfelt song with Steve
reaching out to his brother. You have to know the who story on this
song to really appreciate the kind of love and forgiveness Steve has
for his brother. "Drum Addicts" is a nice instrumental/spoken word
piece about this work of art called life; we need to follow His
strokes.

"By Example" featuring Vex Da Vortex reminds us that Mellow AKA Steve
is a father times three and he takes it serious. (The ethereal
vocals seem to call us to this song's urgency.) If you could see
this man with his kids, you'd know it too. "Nickel and Dime" brings
Paradox, Verses, Change and McGladius to remind us of the
consequences of using substances and how we can learn from our
mistakes. "Dig It All Underground" is the first song Mellow
suggested to be played on WJTL, Lancaster's local Christian station.
With an infectious chorus and hard beats and cuts by Arkamedes, this
song is sure to be played again and again.

"Ear Boxing" wth Vocab Malone and SameOldJake confronts some of the
stuff that has become so commonplace in what is called rap music
today. Violence, crime, and ignorance are neither original or
artistic. "Keep on Building" starts with an old lyric with a smooth
transition to a slow jam (if it can be called that) that tells
Mellow's story, one we can all relate to: don't give up and trust God
with your life. "No End Outro" brings a far eastern feel to the end
of this album, almost existencial.

Steve AKA Mellow Drum Addict is not only an amazing artist, but a Man
of God. Since I first went with him to a show in Philly to hanging
with him and his family and enjoying his gourmet cooking skills (or
was it his wifes?), he has been an encouragement to me. Ever since I
first met Sup the Chemist (then Super C) in Lancaster in 1990, I've
always tried to support artists I know personally. And there is no
one I'd rather support than Mellow Drum Addict. Check him out on
www.myspace.com/mdahiphop and pick up this CD for yourself.

Stu Metzler
--
"Life ain't always black & white B/No matter how hard I might fight
these/Just me? It's similar to Spike B/Because a brother can't always
do the right thing/And Lord knows I be trying/But I got these half-
naked women I be eyein'/That's just in the car, when I'm on my way/To
work 'cause these jerks but 'em on display/And I can't even watch my
favorite shows/On myspace, they be strikin' a pose/How can I sit here
and call them hos/When anyone can see that all they need is some
clothes/A little confidence and some self-respect/Like I need some
old-fashioned marital sex/And I ain't sayin' this just to get you
depressed/But from week to weekend I give Christ my weakness"

First verse of "First Step" featuring Scribbling Idiot's from Mellow
Drum Addict's "Strides Ahead of tha Half Step"