L.A. Production duo CookBook & UNO Mas have long been buddies and devotees of the stuff they now create for fellow lyricists. Their transition from hungry, home-studio beat crafters to underground legends has been a smooth one. They’ve left the braggadocio for the pop-driven, and the conformity to the sterile; best of all, they’ve allowed themselves to ride melodies with new messages for the masses.

The album opens with an attendance call for Puerto Rico and Mexico via “Presente,” wherein Uno Mas represents his Mexican heritage while CookBook ensues with an entire verse in Spanish to showcase his love for his Puerto Rican background. The track is a suave rendition of Latino music through which the tone is set for dance-worthy tempos and everything in between. Features from Evidence of Dilated Peoples on “Rock and Roll” and Scarub of Living Legends on “The Petty” stand out, but rather than serving as the typical fluffy feature tracks, the significance behind these songs is much deeper than simply needing someone to fill a space.

Altogether, CookBook & Uno Mas effectively managed to personify the unconstraint of the West Coast. They mixed together elements of their individual personas and flavors, and added a dash of Latino-American zest. The pair mixed in a plethora of sounds and concepts without getting too flashy, or tacky. The result is an enjoyable rollercoaster ride of an album that will leave you wanting to have a second go.

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