Lil Louis & The World 12” Remix Set single review
The Lil Louis & The World 12” Remix Set was a series of 12” inch vinyl singles that was issued as a 3 record set for I Called U which was released by FFRR in the United Kingdom during the year of 1989. This series of singles contained different mixes of I Called U, blackout, and French Kiss. All of the songs mentioned were phenomenal house hits in the UK. The Lil Louis & The World 12” Remix has that classic early Chicago house sound. Each single from this record set had the following caption: Collect All 3 Mixes For A Complete Set.
Everysong which came from this 3 record set was written, produced, arranged, and mixed by Lil Louis for 7 Days Productions and Diamond Records. ℗© 1989 Diamond Recordings
12 INCH No. 1 was the first single from this 3 record set and had come with a "Limited Edition Free Remix Master Sleeve". The catalog code for this vinyl single was FFRR – FX 123 and FFRR – 886 831-1
I Called U (Original Mix) is the first song on the A Side of this vinyl. 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.
I Called U (0898 Mix) Is much similar to the original mix but with different instrumentation arrangements and percussion selection. The tempo and pitch are preserved from the original mix.
Blackout (Phase 1) aka Blackout (Phase I) is also known as The Lights Go On and Phase 1: The Lights Go On
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. Blackout has a very deep house sound mixed with electronic music. This song was played around the world in nearly every club and at every party back in 1989. 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” .
12 INCH No. 2 was the second single from this 3 record set. The catalog code for this vinyl single was FFRR – FX 123 and INT 886 869-1. Only 1 song was included on each side.
The Saxy Mix of I Called U uses a jazz instrumental over an ensemble of saxophones. The jazzy vibe adds to the mix of the sexiness in this Lil Louis song. Lil Louis is a genius when it comes to instrumentation arrangement. He can do no wrong when it comes to production.
Blackout (Phase 2) aka Blackout (Phase II) is also known as Phase 2: The Night The Club Lights Went Out, The Lights Went Out, and The Night The Club Lights Went Out. This version is known as Blackout (Phase 2: The Night The Club Lights Went Out).
Much of the entirety of this song is played in reverse order. That includes the lyrics, beats, and sound effects. Except for the occasional vocal samples. The song uses an interesting house soundscape. To sum it all up… Blackout (Phase 2) is basically Blackout (Phase 1) revisited.
12 INCH No. 3 was the last single issued for this 3 record set which had come with 3 songs as 12 INCH No. 1 had. The catalog code for this vinyl single was FFRR – FX 123 and FFRR – 886 871-1.
The Over The Edge Mix of I Called U uses a wide variety of instruments. Lil Louis is a genius when it comes to instrumentation arrangement and production. This version of I Called U is known as I Called U (Over The Edge Mix).
French Kiss (Jazz Mix) is a much more smooth jazz infused version of the international club hit French Kiss. The saxophone used in this song helps give away that jazzy vibe. The beginning of the song has a woman speaking French. More orgasmic sound effects are added to the mix than the original.
The last for 12 INCH No. 3 was French Kiss (Full Length U.S. Mix). French Kiss (Full Length U.S. Mix) is the full vocal version of French Kiss. Not too many get to hear this version often due to the rarity of finding this song.
5/5*****!!
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Variety of Sinz - Jealousy Begins album review
There was a lot of player hating going on in the city of Flint at the time Variety of Sinz third album Jealousy Begins dropped in 1995. Members of tap groups began having inner conflicts with each other. People started hating on each other. They became jealous of one another. Groups started rivalries with each other. That’s why you can hear and feel the theme of jealousy on this album. The anger, envy, and frustration are what lead to jealousy. Notice how the A side of the cassette is labeled as Player and the B side is labeled as Hater.
Jealousy Begins was engineered and produced by Steve Pitts at Success Studios. Some of these tracks were recorded at Boomin Studios off Dort Highway in 1995. D Kent served as executive producer with Dion Polk.
The song Back Again marks the return of Variety of Sinz from after a year when they released their last album Blaze For The New Year. VOS is back again for the 95! They call out all player haters in their hellish wicked rhymes. They let them know Variety of Sinz have returned with another album.
Kill A Hoe is a song dedicated breaking down buster MC’s. Buster MC’s are compelled to write wack rhymes. The song is perfect for the Hater side of the cassette due to its given title.
3/5***!
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Titan - Deadmate EP review
Titan’s Deadmate EP is nothing short of compelling. The front cover artwork shows a newspaper clipping from a North Carolina newspaper explains the story of a North Carolina woman who was found shot to death. Police found Yolanda Renee Cotton dead from several gunshots. The cause of her death was a case of domestic violence. Fernando Terrazas Ceja shot a woman named Yolanda Renee Cotton several times. He was her ex-boyfriend and the father of her child. Cotton’s homicide was the 64th homicide Charlotte-Meckleburg Police investigated in 2005. Yolanda Renee Cotton of Charlotte, North Carolina died on September 13, 2005.
The news clipping is covered in a solid black colored background which gives off a horror film feeling. The color black gives off a feel of uncertainty. The color scheme follows the format of a horror film or a mystery novel. The title DEADMATE located on the lower right hand corner of the album cover in uppercase and the font used was Courier. Courier font is appropriate for a horror film, mystery novel, or a thesis.
The sounds of electronic music, horror films, and rap meet each other on this EP. Mix the sounds of DJ Spooky, DJ Shadow, DJ Krush, Esham, Dice, Prozak, horrorcore rap, death rap, and electronic music, thus resulting in this EP by Titan Graham.
Titan’s Deadmate EP was released digitally online on Bandcamp on the date of December 9, 2013. The lyrics were written and performed by Titan. Music was produced by Killa Keith aka Mr. Boxxxcutta himself!
The song Deadmate is laced with heavy bass that will definitely rattle your speakers. Headphone wearers, you have been warned! Heavy bass might damage your speakers. The beat on Deadmate were created by the legendary Mr. Boxxxcutta himself. Deadmate has a similar vibe to William Faulkner’s Emily Rose novel due to its gruesome foreboding vibe (parts of this song make reference to necrophilia).
Beyond doors of dreams is where horror lies. Titan brushed away the cobwebs being that there are several of them lying around. It’s been several months but you’ve never were forgotten. Now Titan takes us through the stone garden. In this stone garden is a grave plot.
A newspaper article lies right next the grave plot. He takes a picture of the newspaper article. It’s been a long time and Titan can’t take in the sadness and devastation anymore. He is feeling sad and blue since his baby left Earth.
The newspaper clipping Titan Graham is referring to is reflecting upon the death of Yolanda Renee Cotton shown on the front album cover.
The newspaper clipping was a report on the death of North Carolina woman named Yolanda Renee Cotton who was found shot to death in her own house. Fernando Terrazas Ceja shot Yolanda Renee Cotton several times before leaving her for dead. Yolanda Renee Cotton of Charlotte, North Carolina died on September 13, 2005. Cotton’s homicide was the 64th homicide Charlotte-Meckleburg Police investigated in 2005. The cause of her death was a case of domestic violence. She had a disagreement between her and her ex-boyfriend.
Officers eventually later apprehended Fernando Terrazas Ceja. Fernando Terrazas Ceja was an illegal alien who jumped the border of Mexico (US-Mexico border) to get into the United States. Her death contributed to another killing led by an illegal alien.
Time is running out. Titan is well aware of this. It’s a pity. Life has gotten colder. Things haven’t been the same. That is that the following verse means: “Time is running out/This my last chance” Yolanda was trying to move on as she was drowned in emotions.
The lyrics “cold case, cold case, cold case/I’ve got another cold case/I miss my deadmate” are what give this song a cold chilling effect along with the mood and bass.
Don't Wanna Live was song written by Titan in 1997 after his time in the long forgotten rap group King Hood Cykoz. Don't Wanna Live is a song that deals with suicide. Titan tells the story of his life in music and how sometimes he doesn’t want to live.
The vocals used on Don't Wanna Live sound very futuristic and not something you would expect to hear from a song that was written or recorded in 1997. His vocals are electronically boosted using some sort of electro-synthesizer with hints of distortion.
At the very beginning of the song, a woman asks “Do you ever think about suicide?” This vocal sample appears to from a movie. The question she asked is disturbing and thought-provoking.
Back in 1991 is when Titan Kill-A-Gram was writing killer raps with Leathaface. They would write rhymes in the back of the classroom. This was when him and DJ Clay were making tapes. DJ Clay was a hustler back then. If only nonbelievers could see him. Titan brags about how people should see him now.
Marcus Steele had visions of jumping into Niagara Falls. His life was going into a downward spiral. It’s no wonder Titan keeps going under. If you wanna know why he wants to die, the reason why he wants to die is because he does not want to live anymore.
Go back to sleep. Titan will wake you up for your funeral. But first say a prayer for his demo. His demo is “too real” for record deals. “No rules. No screwz.” Titan does his thing in a genuine old school manner. Picture him gone with a suicidal tendency. He looked in the kitchen door and all that was there was sarane wrap. Can’t imagine that? Picture this. Him strangled by a microphone cable.
Fuck a platinum plaque. Titan’s down with those maniacs in King Hood better known as the King Hood Cykoz. Such as Maniac, Leathaface, Randy, and Lunatic for instance. Don’t make him crack. He’ll get blood on his shoelaces. Morbid thoughts continue. He’s been haunted by morbid thoughts in his bedroom.
The demo Titan is referring to was his first solo album that was recorded on cassette at Boomin Studios off of Dort Highway in Flint, Michigan in the year of 1993. His album was set to be released on Boomin Records in the same year. However his debut album was never released due to the popularity geared towards Ruff N Rugged.
“No rules. No screwz.” was a quote from the song Don’t Wanna Live which is a reference to a song from his 1993 demo cassette called No Screwz.
Honestly this EP could have been turned into an actual full length album. The EP had potential to become a full album or at least serve as a precursor to a full album. There is such potential with this EP due to the lyrics and futuristic sounds.
4/5****!
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