FEATURES AUGUST 31, 1992 ] rcc irinE ccccciD

“ M y which is a lot like the first song, it Out” and “Anger in the Nation” “I Like the Way” and now Hi-Five Love,” “Rampage,” on their third album. do actually talk about African is back with their second album, a n d Business as Usual, sets the pace fw American oppressors, but the other Keep It Goin On . “Slow the fast and furious 10 songs that songs like“WigOut,” “Soul Brother To ensure success, Hi-Five D o w n ” follow. “Crossover,” which deals #1,” “Lots of Lovin’” and “Act solicited the service of R. Kelly to which with black rappers who change their Like You Know” offer a variety of produce four tracks. If you’re a fan allow style to conform to white America, topics accompanied by phat beats. of R. Kelly then you’ll love this Mary to has already made it to some R&B The second side stands out as album. Otherwise, you might find show off play lists. And in “Can’t Hear the best. “They Reminisce Over some of their cuts sounding like h e r Nothing But the Music,” the best You (T.R.O.Y.)” is dedicated to they’re the Public Announcemc ;!, vocal song on the album, EPMD talks Heavy D’s dancer Trouble T-Roy (Any doubts? Just check out track abilities. about people who just listen to the who passed away. Two songs two, “Quality Time,” and imag ne Mary music but don’t get the message. feature guest artists like the R. Kelly singing it. The vocal breaks it Business Never Personal is full infamous Grand Puba rappin’ with arrangements are similar to many down on of samples and features some Mary J. Blige the last upcoming rappers like Redman and What's the 411? track, “What’s the 411?” with a K-Solo on “Head Banger”. MCA Records funky duet with Grand Puba of the However, the best guests of all are Reviewed by Scou Johnson extinct group Brand Nubian. Mary EPMD’s biggest discovery Das shows that she can rap as well as EFX. DasEFX,whoarebestknown Mary J. Blige’s debut album. sing, and as always, Puba comes for their singles, “They Want EFX” What's the 411?, is definitely correct with his dope lyrical style. and “Mic Checka,” go off lyrically slam in’. Mary first appeared as a Overall, What’s the 411? is on “Cummin’ At Cha.” As usual. back up singer on Father MC’s “I’ll worth the $8 .99 you would pay at Das EFX rhyme, in their twisted pig Do For You,” and now behind the School Kids or Record Bar. Both latin style, about everything from hit single, “You Remind Me,” she is the fast and slow tracks are strong, shooting rumors to stealing Puma establishing herself as a hip-hop and with the exception of the weak sneakers. queen. The album is full of fat intro, Mary J. Blige shows why she The album ends with three more IS here to stay on the R&B charts. strong tracks “Play the Next Man,” basslines which are smoothed over “It’s Going Down,” from the Juice by Mary’s soothing voice. Soundtrack, and the final cut “Who WhaJ's the 411?, gets off to a Killed Jane.” Once again. slow start with “Leave a Parish (M.D.) Smith and Message,” which is a Erick (E-Double) Sermon worthless intro that you show why they are at the CL Smooth about his favorite of R. Kelly’s songs.) will constantly skip over top of the rap charts with subject in “Skinz” and “The Outside of that fault. Keep It to get to the core of the Business Never Personal. Basement” has new jacks Grap, Goin' On is a very satisfying album album. After the intro, A-‘ Robo-0, and Dida along with da The first release “She’s Playing Mary breaks it down with Heavster. The rest of the songs are Hard to Get,” is already an an acapella lead in to clear evidence of the great technique established hit Also look out for “Reminisce” which is a and usage of sampling that for which “Whenever You Say” and “She laid back track that sets Pete Rock and CL Pete Rock is known. Said,” as future releases. the stage for the popular— Smooth This album provides enough If you're looking for Hi-Five to and over played—“You Mecca and the Soul Brother variety for those who like a certain have slamming dance tracks, you Remind M e” and her R&B feel to their songs while it might want to come again. The follow up single, “Real Electra Records offers hard beats and lyrics to strength of this album lies in its Love.” After these three Reviewed by Tameka Green accommodate those who fall into slower cuts. songs, the first side of the the hifvhop lover category. Mecca The best song on the albUiii, album combines a variety Pete Rock is one and the Soul Brother is a good “Fly Away,” is a groove that follows of styles which include a of the greatest producers in the rap purchase for someone who wants to their style of a nice and mellow unique intro to “Sweet Thing,” by EPMD industry. Producing such artist as have an album with various types tempo smoothed over with Busta Rhymes from Leaders of the Business Never Personal Heavy D and A Tribe Called Quest of songs that will please any listener. harmonizing vocals. New School. Def Jam Records he’smade most ofourfavorite artists A -/B + OvCTall, Hi-Five shows a m cc The beginning of the second side Reviewed by Scou Johnson what they are today. Now he and his developed and mature sound; as begins with that familiar Jodeci partner in crime.CL Smooth, took a demonstrated on the cut “A Little moan on “I Don’t Want To Do The boyz from the boon dox are Hi-Five stab at producing their own album. BitOldo-Now.” Anything,” which features DeVanie back with their fourth album. Keep It Goin’ On By the tide. Return of the Mecca, With Keep it Gain' On, Hi-Five Swing. Mary J.BIige and DeVante Business Never Personal. EPMD Jive Reccwxls the listener would except songs has proved that their first albuin combine for a smooth slow jam comes hard, as usual, with some fat Reviewed by Corey Brown describing the bad state in which we was no fluke, and they are here to which is definitely one of the best rhymes, dope beats, and of course as a people live. Certain songs like stay. B- songs on the album. another Jane song. They burst onto the scene with “Ghettoesof the Mind,” ”Straighten Mary keeps the slow pace with The opening track, “Boon Dox,” the hits “Just Can’t Handle It” and