Dan the Automator

Even more optimistic for the future after the passage of three years, Dan Nakamura expanded his Better Tomorrow EP out to a full-length with the addition of a host of tracks recorded around the same time. Sinister 6000 (aka Kool Keith) freestyles over half of the tracks, rehearsing for the duo's collaboration later that year on the Dr. Octagon LP. Except for the occasional eerie cinema sample though, the sound is decidedly different from Dr. Octagon. Suitably, these tracks are drum heavy and more reliant on the Automator's production/DJ skills, with Keith spending much less time on the mic. The straight-out instrumentals and studio project tracks don't compare quite as well though, sounding a bit aimless without at least an occasional rap in front of them. Two other rappers make appearances, Neph the Madman on "Wiling" and Poet on the solid "Buck Buck," while Kool Keith's "King of NY" fondly recalls the Beasties' Paul's Boutique. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide