Angel Dust (Benny Cassette album)

Production, release

Los Angeles songwriter Benny Cassette began collaborating with producer and rapper Chuck Inglish around 2012, after meeting Inglish "at their Jewish jeweler’s wedding." They began working on the EP Angel Dust in 2012, which combines the genres of hip-hop, soul, rock and pop. It was "produced by Chuck with assistance from Benny and performed by Benny with features from Chuck." Their first single from the album, "Say No To Drugs", was released early on October 24, 2012. Cassette handled vocals, with Inglish producing. A music video for "Say No To Drugs" was released in December 2012.

The full EP was released on October 30, 2012, and was entirely produced by Inglish. Cassette handled most vocals, with Inglish contributing on several tracks.

Critical reception

Prefix Magazine called the project "expectedly experimental" and dubbed Cassette's vocals "dreamy."

DJBooth wrote that with "Say No To Drugs," "The drug Cassette is trying—and failing—to steer clear of on this cut is actually a certain woman, whose seductive qualities he compares to cocaine, PCP and other addictive substances. Project collaborator Chuck Inglish produces the joint, blending elements of hip-hop, soul, rock rock and pop to back his partner’s lust-soaked bars." DJBooth called "Say No To Drugs" "an electro-infused jam."

About "Ferngully," DJ Booth wrote "This trippy, yet soulful tune kicks of with a Nintendo-like beat courtesy of Inglish. However, that chord doesn’t last very long as the beat changes up several times throughout the track, each shift more unique and refreshing than the one before it. Spliced between the cracks of the dynamic boardwork is Cassette’s vocals, whose versatile flow and contagious chorus serve as the bridges between the shifts in pitch, speed, and style."

"Empires" was the only song on the seven-track album produced entirely by Cassette. "Empires" was reviewed in Rolling Stone, who wrote the song "sets the tone with its moody, throbbing bass line, harmonic layered backing vocals and slow motion pacing of the track he produced... Benny 's vocal production drives this song. He's emotive like Sting. Repeats lyrics for dramatic effect. He's so honest that he sounds unstable, in a trance and vulnerable."

Personnel