With all the attitude of previous releases but a completely different focus this time,
Cex decided to make
Tall, Dark & Handcuffed an homage to the golden age of hip-hop. Surprisingly, he proves as familiar with and amenable to
Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em as he was to
Incunabula. Recalling age-old rappers from
Rakim to
Kool Keith to
Big Daddy Kane,
Cex plays the cutting cad on sexed-up dis tracks like "One Cex" and "Gigolo Knights," with plenty of help from friends to make these into posse tracks. The production values are keen and perfectly in line with East Coast rap circa 1989, while
Cex proves himself as solid a rapper as he is a producer. ~ John Bush