Felix & Jarvis - Felix & Jarvis is an album from the era of both early Detroit hip hop and Detroit rap during the early to mid 1980s. Yes this album is early Detroit electro rap where the sounds of electronic music meet hip hop and rap. Felix & Jarvis had performed songs that would make you want to get up and dance to. The duo made several appearances on local television shows such as “The Scene” and Nat Morris Show. The duo’s songs got heavy airplay on radio stations across Detroit, Michigan from 1982 to 1985. This album is a must have for both old and new heads!
Felix & Jarvis ruled Detroit rap and hip hop for much of the early to mid 1980s prior to 1986. Similar to how Smiley, K-Stone, Awesome Dre, Mac 10, Eddie D, Kaos & Mystro, DJ EZB & LOS, Danny K, and Detroit’s Most Wanted dominated much of Detroit rap and hip hop throughout out the 1980s.
Felix Morris and Jarvis Carothers Stroud came together as a duo in 1982 to release this much forgotten classic album on Quality Records. Their debut album was pressed on vinyl and cassette.
Flamethrower Rap was one of their biggest, well known hits to date that got them statewide stardom and eventually nationwide stardom across the United States along with Canada. The song has that early electro rap sound with a touch of hip hop. It sure is a funky party tune! The song was played heavily in rotation on many Detroit radio stations from 1982 to 1984.
Flamethrower Rap was recorded in 1982 when Felix Morris and Jarvis Carothers Stroud worked for a local television show that aired in Detroit called “The Scene” which aired from 1978 to 1987. Felix wrote the line "ARE YOU READY TO THROW DOWN" which was incorporated in to the Nat Morris Show just before the record was released and
Bounce is an electronic dance love song about a pretty girl who likes to have her way. The song uses funk synths on top of that boogie sound. The song is surprisingly mid tempo for such a title. The beats are laid down softly.
She knows she turns you on. Has you smoking hot like a chili pepper. You really want her body. She knows she has a walk that talks while in motion. One day she'll be in love with you. She said she wanted someone real deep.
The chorus has some catchy retro lyrics. However the chorus can be considered repetitive and annoying to some people. Read below.:
(Chorus)
Watchu gonna do when you get on top
I'm gonna bounce I'm gonna bounce
Watchu gonna do when you get on top
I'm gonna bounce I'm gonna bounce
Watchu gonna do when you get on top
I'm gonna bounce I'm gonna bounce
Watchu gonna do when you get on top
I'm gonna bounce I'm gonna bounce
During the date is where things start to get kinky but not to sexually explicit. This girl didn't hesitate during the date. The boy laid it down softly and started sweating. She looked into his eyes and touched him real gently. One day she'll be in love with him. She has nerve.
The theme is romantic in this verse. Read the lyrics to get an idea.:
(Verse 2)
I took her on date she didn't hesitate
I made a slick new pair (she said you won't last)
I laid it down softly, started sweating
She looked into eyes and touched me real gently
One day she'll be
In love with me
As I want her as I need her she says
She said to me
Watchu gonna do when you get on top
I'm gonna bounce I'm gonna bounce
Make It Rise is an upbeat funky party tune which is an electronic dance that will make you want to get up and dance. The sound has that early Detroit electro rap sound with a touch of dance music and soul. Think old school Detroit new wave when you hear this song.
Jam The House was an electronic dance that had everyone dancing in Detroit in the 80s. The song is an upbeat electro rap song produced and mixed by Don Was of Was (Not Was). A vocoder is used throughout the entire song. Jam The House got heavily played on a radio station called WGPR on the radio and The Scene on TV.
All Night Long uses heavy bass and electro synths to accompany the dance beats. This song, Make It Rise, and Jam The House should have been promoted as singles. Honestly this is where Quality Records dropped the ball. All Night Long had that upbeat funky electro sound that was dominating the 1980s. The song had funk and soul written all over it.
I rate this album, Felix & Jarvis, 5/5*****!!
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