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Review: Common and Pete Rock are two towering behemoths in the hip-hop world. Rock is best known for his instinctive and distinctive beat making style and for plenty of seminal tunes which showcase that, while Common is the next level lyricist, rapper and iconic freestyler who paints vivid pictures with his words. The Auditorium Vol 1 is a remarkable coming together of the two which arrives on limited edition coloured vinyl across four sides of wax. The groundbreaking collab blends all their considerable skills into a record that draws on the golden era but also shows a new future for the genre. It's richly layered and hugely rewarding, as you would expect.

Review: Loma Vista proudly present the latest full-length album by Common, one of the so-called 'conscious' hip-hop scene's earliest progenitor. Here, the rapper teams up with fellow wordsmith and DJ Pete Rock - whom the former refers to as "one of The Greatest Creators Hip Hop and Music has ever seen" (capitalisations not going unnoticed) - for a 15-track meditation on the proverbial theatre: the setting in which the fantastical drama of hip-hop takes place. Never having worked together before, Common and Rock roll out an uncommon compendium, fulfilling in particular Common's dream of working with an antecedent great. Mid-album scratch-fests like 'All Kind Of Ideas' evoke golden-days hip-hop nostalgia through their easy, boppy grooves and images of hustling and "cooking up", while 'Wise Up' and 'Dreamin'' move more textural and vinyl-crackly with things, musing equally on the requisites of leg-breaking performance. A glisteningly soulful album, invoking the glabrous power of street dreams.

Review: The Auditorium, Vol. 1 is a monumental collaboration between hip-hop luminary Common and legendary producer Pete Rock. Common, known for his versatile talent and numerous accolades, joins forces with Pete Rock, whose influential production has shaped hits for iconic artists. The album blends nostalgia with new creative breakthroughs. With intricate compositions and deep themes, The Auditorium, Vol. 1 promises an intellectually engaging listen. The lead single, 'Dreamin,' shows their seamless blend of old-school charm and modern production finesse. Common's soulful delivery adds a depth to the track, highlighting his musicality and unique style. With this album, Common and Pete Rock have created a timeless piece of art that resonates with the younger and older fans of hip-hop.