Grandwizzard Johnny O And The Mighty Sorcerer Crew – Me And The Boys single review
Grandwizzard Johnny O And The Mighty Sorcerer Crew – Me And The Boys is a byproduct of Cleveland hip hop and rap that has been lost to the sands of time. The single has been almost long forgotten. This single was issues as a vinyl on Jammitt Recordings in 1988.
Me And The Boys is a Grandwizzard Johnny O And The Mighty Sorcerer Crew posse cut. The song is about feeling good and freestyling. You can feel a punch in their rhymes.
When It Breaks had one of the best mixes in Cleveland hip hop and Cleveland rap recorded at that time. DJ Swamp produced and recorded the song at Time Trax Studios in Cleveland, Ohio. The song has an old club style with hard heavy hitting beats. The awesome vinyl scratches are placed appropriately.
5/5*****!
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Dukeman - Tha Album Tha High album review
Dukeman’s Tha Album Tha High is one of the worst albums to come from Flint rap next to NFTP albums, Jon Connor, and Took-N-Bone. Most of this album has a typical rap sound mixed with a Dirty South vibe to it. Southern rap has been played out before. The album is average at best.
In terms of graphic design, the graphic design for Dukeman – Tha Album Tha High is disproportionally misplaced. Dukeman’s upper body should be covering the bottom of the album cover instead of being centered in the middle. A female stripper using a toilet for model posing is not the most professional idea. In fact, using a toilet to model is unprofessional, repulsive, and deceiving.
There are too many “Voicemail” skits on this album. 7 skits on an album is way too much and can be considered filler material by listeners. Only 3 or 4 skits should be included on an album. There are too many guest features and not enough solo songs. Usually there is a balance between songs with guest features and solo songs.
25 Years came from the Raw Deal album that dropped in 1994 on cassette. Only this version has a more updated production sound to it. K-Mill’s verses were left intact and not modified. Ironically the song has a happy upbeat vibe to it despite its title which is awkward.
XXV Years (XXV Years) is about a lifetime sentence K-Mill was facing for a murder he committed during his activity of crime. K-Mill had to murder a sucka in an act of self defense. When someone is trying to kill you, you fight back. Various acts of self-defense are used on the assailant. Whether it was intentional or not is clearly unknown.
What can you do when you're facing 25 years? Maintain your innocence and defend yourself. That's what people usually do. Some fight back with assault.
The beats on Bag That Shit Up are bangin’! Production is tight and well worth listening to. Bag That Shit Up is a song about the drug game.
Gettin Chips is a song driven by heavy percussion and features Jake The Flake. It’s all about getting that money on this song. You know if Jake The Flake is on a song that the song will be a legit hit regardless of being underground. You know the song will be the shit if Jake The Flake is on it. This song is the best song on this album.
What Yall Want is a typical rap song with a Dirty South sound mixed in. The song offers nothing special and its beats are too fast paced. The song is nothing short of terrible.
Parts of Say It Aint So are inaudible due to the sound and production which overlap his vocals. You can hardly hear Dukeman rap when listening to Say It Aint So. The production overlaps his vocals too much making Say It Aint So almost as bad as What Yall Want.
We Hot Now has a reggaeton rap vibe due to the 2-step drum sequencing, percussion layout, and rhythm layout. Percussion follows the rhythm perfectly and smoothly. This song breaks the monotony of this album by changing the mood with a bit of fresh air with a touch of reggae vibe. In fact, this song, Bag That Shit Up, Gettin Chips, and 25 Years are the best songs of this album.
Put This One Down is just a terrible song not worth listing to. The musical keys are off key. The song is nothing short of terrible.
2/5**
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Twice The Power - Don't You Know I'm Loco/Meow Meow single review
Don't You Know I'm Loco/Meow Meow was a single that was issued on cassette back in 1993 on Wicked Bass Records and SFM Records. The two songs Don't You Know I'm Loco and Meow Meow were underground singles which received heavy radio play on local radio stations in San Antonio.
The Twice The Power group is a Latin rap group from the 90s which was based outta San Antonio, Texas. They were active from 1992 to 2002. Their peak years in their prime were from 1993 to 1996. 1993 was a good year for the group. So was 1994. Twice The Power consisted of 3 amigos. They were IROK, Wicked G, and the underground legendary DJ called DJ Devastator.
Don't You Know I'm Loco is a song that took over SA Town radio stations by storm overnight! Radio stations in San Antonio were playing this song nonstop back in the 90s. The song became an instant favorite among San Antonio rap fans, Spanish music fans, bass heads, and Latin music fans after being played on the airwaves on radio. Longtime San Antonio rap fans definitely remember this song when it was out. This song came out in 1993 and also the version of this song on this album is a 1995 remix by DJ Devastator. Wicked G did some production for the song as well the DJ.
Funk meets Latin rap and bass music on Don't You Know I'm Loco. The track itself is bass influenced. The track heavily relies on bass to make a long-lasting heavy impact to your ears. The James Brown - Big Payback funk sample can be heard at near the very beginning. The group was also influenced by funk music when recording this song. This track itself has prevalent Latin music and Latin rap influences incorporated inside here.
Don't You Know I'm Loco is a Twice The Power posse cut telling us about how we don't know how crazy these amigos are. Don't You Know I'm Loco is another way of saying "Don't you know I'm crazy?" Vatos, chicas, and eses from the barrios of the SA streets responded incredibly well to this song.
Meow Meow is one of their most well known songs to date. Meow Meow is a heavy bass influenced song with a hint of Latin music that earned them an instant fan following after being played on local radio stations in 1993. Radio stations in SA played this song nonstop back then! The song became an instant favorite among San Antonio rap fans, Spanish music fans, bass heads, and Latin music fans after being played on the airwaves on radio. Longtime San Antonio rap fans definitely remember this song when it was out. This version of Meow Meow is the 1995 remix from DJ Devastator.
Sex rap meets Miami bass with a hint of Latin music on Meow Meow. Meow Meow seems to be heavy influenced and inspired by Miami bass music from Miami, Florida. For the most part, the song heavily relies on bass over fast paced beats to back it up. Bass makes songs such as this one more memorable.
Meow Meow is a posse cut about how these 3 amigos get pussy every fucking day. They experiment with sex rap by making various references to sexuality. For instance oral sex and vaginal sex. (They say there is no need to get crazy however this is not the case.) Take swinging for example. Meow Meow is similar to Find'em, Fuck'em, & Flee by NWA. It's sex, sex, sex here everyday.
Wicked Bass is a heavy bass influenced song which itself heavily relies on bass for substance backup. Bass over Latin rap music in a funky mentality is one way to best describe Wicked Bass. The song Wicked Bass has a heavy influence of doodooism. Doodooism is heavy bass and heavy percussion with usage of reduced treble. The term was first coined by hip hop/rap duo Spooky G & Blackjack in 1994.
Wicked Bass had earned them an instant fan following after being played on local radio stations in 1994.The Wicked Bass song became an instant favorite among San Antonio rap fans, Spanish music fans, bass heads, and Latin music fans after being played on the airwaves on radio. Longtime San Antonio rap fans definitely remember this song when it was out.
Wicked G arranged and produced most of the production alongside with DJ Devastator. Despite DJ Devastator doing most of the production work, Wicked G takes most of the credit here. Nevertheless DJ Devastator rightfully earned his place in the spotlight.
5/5*****!!
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Twice The Power - Twice The Power album review
Twice The Power - Twice The Power was an album that was released on CD in 2001 by Wicked Bass Records and SFM Records. The album only was sold in the San Antonio area and is considered an underground release. Not that many copies were pressed. In terms of sound, this album has many similarities to Steppin Over The Edge. The album has that doodooism, heavy bass, and Latin rap.
Most of these tracks were recorded in 2001 although a few tracks were recored in 2000 and sometime earlier. These tracks were recorded at Wicked Bass Studios in San Antonio, Texas. DJ Devastator did the mixing.
The Twice The Power group is a Latin rap group from the 90s which was based outta San Antonio, Texas. They were active from 1992 to 2002. Twice The Power consisted of 3 amigos. They were IROK, Wicked G, and the underground legendary DJ called DJ Devastator. Kid Ray would later join the group and remained until 2002 when the group broke up.
Step If U Wanna Step was recorded in 2001 by DJ Devastator. Members Mr. IROK, Wicked G, Kid Ray, and DJ Devastator are included on the track. This track has a crunk sound mixed with heavy bass over usage of funky keyboard synths. Mr. IROK and Kid Ray take charge for most this track.
Twice The Power warns those to step up to them if they want to go into a lyrical battle. Twice The Power claims to be OGs in San Antonio rap. They are the few of the original pioneers of San Antonio rap left in the game. Don’t mess with the loco vatos.
People have been saying Twice The Power quit just because they have been out of the scene for a while. They never quit. They were in the studio putting down tracks. Twice The Power spreads the words of fire. They push tracks like a straight hustle from the streets.
9 Kegs is a perfect song to get drunk and wasted to. Mr. IROK, Kid Ray, and Wicked G perform. DJ Devastator is on the turntables. The song was a hit on radio stations in San Antonio thus gaining much airplay. This track was recorded, arranged, and mixed by DJ Devastator song with Mr. IROK in 2001. The track is an original recording.
The track takes place at a house party at 10 PM on a Friday night. There are 9 kegs of beer. Ladies are everywhere showing their booties with g-strings on. It’s easy to lose control at a house party. There’s no party like a SA-Town party!
If U Only Knew was recorded by DJ Devastator and Mr. IROK in 2000. What is different about this track the absence of heavy bass.
The rhymes Twice The Power kicks are major since the days of Sky pagers. They let us know who was putting records on music store shelves in San Antonio. It’s clear the group wants to be remembered throughout history. Twice The Power’s in the house to shake shit up. Twice The Power is on the rise and can’t be faded. At least in the underground.
Get Down has a futuristic sound due to its electronic soundscape used and electronic tech keyboard synths used. Southern rap meets Latin rap with an electronic touch. It’s percussion is distorted and crunchy sounding very similar to an 8 bit video game.
5/5*****!!
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B-Boy-X And The 13th District Posse – Better Luck Next Time single review
B-Boy-X And The 13th District Posse – Better Luck Next Time was a single that was pressed on limited blue vinyl in 1989. The record was released during the height of the B-Boy movement. This record is hard to find anywhere these days and is a definite must have for any DJ to have in their music collection. Overall this record is a forgotten product of early Detroit hip hop and rap.
Lost In The Shuffle uses killer vinyl scratches and well arranged samples to accompany the rhymes. The drum programming fits within the rhymes perfectly in timing. The production has a fresh hip hop sound to accompany the dope raps.
His rhymes match perfectly with each other. Read some of his rhymes below.:
ruler of the rhyme
discussion is my weapon
when the mic's in my possession, there just ain't no half-steppin'
suckers who try to kick boss wisdom
leavin' me no choice, but to diss 'em"
Better Luck Next Time is an uptempo, upbeat hip hop song which bass line samples Vaughn Mason - Bounce, Skate, Roll. Now the beat is based on Rapper's Delight by The Sugarhill Gang from 1979 and Chic - Good Times. A lot of rappers used and sampled Rapper's Delight back in the 80s. Some Detroit hip hop heads claim Better Luck Next Time By B-Boy-X is similar to Detroit Boxx - Spin To The Grooveline.
X Is In Effect uses a touch of that B-Boy sound with a hip hop vibe. B-Boy-X goes solo on this track. T. Dudley was responsible for the drum programming as he was with the 2 other tracks on this single.
5/5*****!!
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Lil Louis - Blackout single review
Blackout by Lil Louis was released as a promo on vinyl in 1989 by FFRR and Epic to promote his From The Mind Of Lil Louis album that would be later released that year. The single has a very deep house sound mixed with electronic music. These songs were played around the world in nearly every club and at every party back in 1989.
Blackout came from the 1989 album From The Mind Of Lil Louis. The song Blackout has a deep house sound mixed with electronic music and dance. Back in 1989, the song was played around the world in nearly every club and at every party. Its uplifting vocals are what really energize the song. The song Blackout utilizes a time signature of 4|4.
However Lil Louis gets in touch with his religious side by quoting some scriptures from the Christian Old Testament book. Such as mentioning The Lord is my shepherd from Psalm 23. Psalm 23 is the 23rd psalm of the Book of Psalms.
The first verse quotes the beginning of from the Christian Old Testament and Book of Psalms.
[Verse 1]
The Lord is my shepperd, I shall not want
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
He leaded me beside the still waters
He restoreth my soul
He leaded me in a path of righteousness
For His name's sake
Yeah
Though I walk to the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me
Thy rod and thy staff comfort me
Thou preparest a table before me, in the presence of my enemies
Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup's runneth over
Surely goodness and loving kindness
Shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the House of the Lord
Forverer
In the middle of the song is where Genesis 1:1-10 is quoted. Revelation 6:12 is quoted as well. These are the scriptures listed below.
[Genesis 1:1-10]
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth
And the earth was without form and void
And darkness was above the face of the deep
And the spirits of God moved upon the face of the waters
And God said "let there be light", and there was light
[Revelation 6:12]
And I beheld when he opened the sixth seal
And Lord there was a great earthquake
And the sun became black a sackcloth of hair
And the moon became as blood
And the stars of heaven fell to the earth even as
A fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind
And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together
And every mountain and island were moved out of their place
The message at the end of the song tells us to seek out the truth. The message at the end of the song is “The truth is now, don't wait, too late to wake up” .
I Called U (But You Weren't There) is a hilarious electronic song that uses a house soundscape. A piano accompanies the house soundscape along with a saxophone. An Afro-centric percussion ensemble is used. Djembe, shakers, conga, and bongos are used. The vocals are what make the song unique along with the Afro-centric percussion which is used.
The song is about an ex-lover trying to get back into Lil Louis’ life by stalking him. She continuously calls him over the phone. She gets into his business by stalking him every chance. Some call this song the “ballad of the psycho ex-girlfriend”. The vocals are what make the song unique. The song is definitely something that the guys can definitely relate to.
The song begins with a telephone ringing. Lil Louis picks up the telephone to answer whoever is calling. A man in the back asks Louis if that is another prank call. Read the lyrics below.:
Lil Louis: Hello....hello?
Man in the background: Louis, is that another crank call?)
Lil Louis: No, I know who it is.
*Lil Louis hang up the telephone*
Apparently an ex-lover is stalking Lil Louis wondering about his whereabouts. It is a female who calls him again. She questions where did he go. Her response was “I called you but you weren’t there.” . Lil Louis tells her “I was out taking care of business.” . She proceeds to tell him she was following him in her blue car. She asks “Why can’t we start again?”
Lil Louis clearly does not want anything to do with her. If you listen closely to her vocals over the phone, she sounds as if she were drunk. Some call this song the “ballad of the psycho ex-girlfriend”.
I Called U (But You Weren't There) charted at #16 on the BillBoard in the UK in January 1990 and at #23 in Ireland in January 1990. I Called U (But You Weren't There) also charted at #48 on the BillBoard in Belgium in March 1990. The song was a hit in several European countries in 1990.
Nyce & Slo uses a repetitive house soundscape. The song’s tempo transitions from downtempo to mid tempo pretty quick. Tempo transitions back and forth from downtempo to mid tempo and back downtempo. The song had people acting wild and crazy on the dance floor in not just Chicago, but in other countries across the globe. Nyce & Slo is a fine example of Chicago house. Of course Nyce & Slo is a very sexual song and a straight club banger!
The repetitive nature of this song many annoy listeners and detract them away from listening to this song entirely. Of course this might cause listeners to skip the song completely which is understandable.
Tony Humphrey co-produced this song with Lil Louis in 1989 just before the release of . Peter Black is the person playing the piano and Lil Louis is in charge of the vocals.
Vocals change as well as frequency is changed throughout the song. The woman’s voice who is saying “Boy boy boy” is soon muffled over by Lil Louis saying “okay okay okay”. This is because Lil Louis and Tony Humphrey were trying to give us a futuristic electronic experience with club music. The bass line is muffled pretty cleverly.
4/5****!
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Sepultura - Tribus EP EP review
Brazilian metal band Sepultura released the Tribus EP as an Australian Special Tour Edition CD in 1999. The EP is highly sought after by Sepultura fans selling for tens of dollars. Sepultura is one of Brazil's most famous famous thrash/death metal bands.
The Waste was a song that was arranged by KODO and Sepultura. Bobby Brooks and Howard Benson mixed the song. Howard Benson’s work is all over this song of course. The extended mix of F.O.E. can be found on this EP.
Prenúncio has bit of Portuguese spoken word performed Coffin Joe and José Mojica Marins. Although Coffin Joe performs a bit spoken word, it is really José Mojica Marins that performs all the spoken word pieces on the song. Yes both take credit for it.
The demo for the song Tribus uses a small ensemble of cymbal kits. Of course the audio is a bit unbalanced due to the fact that this is a demo version. Paulo Jr. does a killer job on the bass guitar! The demo for the song Tribus was recorded in 1998.
4/5****!!
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