Dilated Peoples Leaves Its Scratches on Surface

Following sets by some renowned DJs at the Palace on Wednesday, L.A.-based hip-hop trio Dilated Peoples capped a celebration of the art of the turn- table with an uncompelling show only slightly enlivened by such guests as the pioneering Grand Wizard Theodore.

Also featuring a screening of the DJ documentary film “Scratch,” the presentation underscored the rock-star status of turntablists in hip-hop. Solo sets by Theodore--the Grandmaster Flash protege widely credited with inventing scratching in the late ‘70s--and Beastie Boys associate Mixmaster Mike also provided a sense of the art form’s two-decade history.

After a mainstream-oriented turn by Z-Trip fusing recent hits to cliched vintage rock and hip-hop riffs, Mixmaster Mike innovatively used turntable manipulation for more traditionally percussive effects. He proved a highlight with his adept cutting and scratching, coupled with less obvious sonic choices.

Backed by the nimble DJ Babu, Dilated Peoples rappers Evidence and Iriscience offered selections from 2000’s “The Platform” and last year’s “Expansion Team,” among other things. Although reasonably charismatic, the pair, who came to prominence with such underground hits as the inventive call-to-consciousness “Work the Angles,” too often resorted to hookless, hackneyed pronouncements against destructive conflicts (“War”) and for loyalty to one’s people (“Worst Comes to Worst”).

Integrity can’t be completely discounted, but the more die-hard aspects of the keeping-it-real philosophy have limited Dilated Peoples, who at one point Wednesday proclaimed they “won’t go pop” to satisfy “the ones across the street” (meaning their label, Capitol Records). But mostly this bluster felt like a smokescreen for a surprising lack of ideas.