What do you get when you put together a veteran producer and an underrated vocalist? You have “Cookie Dough”, the debut from Wildcookie aka producer Freddie Cruger and vocalist Anthony Mills. Together they have crafted an album filled with wicked bass grooves laced with warm mid to down-tempo soul rhythms. Cruger’s compositions range from chilled out jazz to mellow slow burning funk and hip-hop. Top that off with Mills varying vocal styling’s and you have an ambitious yet seductive recording that you’ll find hard to resist. Among the highlights are “Heroine”, previously released on “The Drugs EP” deals with the influence the drug had over some of our legendary artist’s in order to reach their musical heights. Cruger lays down a jazzy mid-tempo groove with a simple drum snare beat while Mills falsetto elevates to the upper register. “Touchy Touchy” has a bossa nova inspired groove with a subtle piano melody that features Mills making his move on a honey and breaking down protocol on what to do on ladies night. On the mellow funk flavored “Come Closer” Mills comes across as a mixture of Curtis Mayfield meets D’Angelo as he croons about the woman who has got him hooked and between the two of them are feigning for each other at a moment’s notice. Much like the title, “Cookie Dough” is kind of like that triple chocolate Devil’s food cake you have no business indulging in. You try to fight it but it’s no use. Just give in and enjoy it over and over. Although the disc at various moments has a dark mood to it, you won’t be able to resist the funky rhythms, the vocals and the production. Superb work by Wildcookie in delivering a disc that merely scratches the surface of their musical chemistry.
