Barbelith Underground > Radio & Music > Timbaland vs. The Neptunes

...because, as far I can ascertain, we don’t appear to have had a general thread about either of them (as opposed to threads for specific tracks or artists they’ve been involved with).

It’s not an easy choice, but I prefer The Neptunes. It’s interesting, given how formulaic they were early on (and I don’t mean that in too pejorative a sense, but prior to 2001 it’s astonishing how many of their records were based around a bass line with a one-semitone change - “Lookin’ At Me”, “Good Stuff”, “Got Your Money” etc.) but these days I think their range is quite remarkable. They have, for example, their experimental(ish), minimalist thing (like “Grindin’” or “Hot”), but can also do straight-up pop R’n’B (Toni Braxton’s “Hit The Freeway” being a splendid, overlooked example). The Cee-Lo stuff sounds nothing like “Milkshake”, which in turn sounds nothing like “Call The Ambulance”, and so on. Plus - and I know that this is a contentious point - I think their quality control is actually remarkable, given the amount of stuff they’ve put out. I’m not saying it’s all good, by any means, but in 2002 alone, they produced more tracks that I like - 32, at the last count, in case you were wondering - than anyone else has in the entire decade to date (with the single exception of Tim, neatly enough).

Additionally, I think The Neptunes have helmed one genuinely consistent and satisfying album, being “Lord Willin’”. I know the Missy Elliott & Bubba Sparxxx albums have their supporters, as do those by Kelis & N*E*R*D, but, for me, it’s the Clipse record that’s the only one with no weak tracks. (My favourite Timbaland album is Brandy’s “Afrodisiac” and, in fairness, his stuff on it is pretty consistant - it’s other people that let the side down there).

It’s been suggested to me on a number of occasions that it’s all over for the Neptunes, and, as things stand I’m not sure I could present a strong argument to the contrary. From last year I like the Omarion single (“Touch”), and about half of their stuff on the Slim Thug album (the title track in particular), but I would concede that “Drop It Like It’s Hot” is their only fantastic record in the last two years. I mean, I’m hoping that all the quality stuff they would have put out in that time is being saved for Pharrell’s solo album, but neither of the singles so far (nor the repeatedly cancelled release date) fill me with a great deal of confidence.

I know I haven’t really talked all that much about Timbaland - who I do think is one of the four or five most talented people working in music today, despite what I may’ve sounded like thus far - or discussed specific tracks in any detail, but I’m more than happy to add more at a later date if this is stuff people are interested in talking about.

So... Does anyone else have a preference? Or favourite tracks? (And, while I know it’s poor form, I personally don’t really mind lists - it’s like, I have hundreds of songs produced by each of them, but there are hundreds more out there, and recommendations are always useful, particularly for the more obscure stuff). Are there other producers who should be a part of this discussion? (For me, Rodney Jerkins comes in third, but it’s a fairly distant third. And there’s a guy called Sean Garrett who’s been credited on a bunch of records that I love from the last couple of years - “Lose My Breath”, “Goodies”, “No Daddy”, “Yeah” - and who I’m trying to keep an eye on, but info on him doesn’t seem all that plentiful, and he’s certainly not in the same ballpark yet). Any & all comment is more than welcome...