Jazzie Redd - The Colors Of Jazz EP EP review
Jazzie Redd - The Colors Of Jazz EP is a jazzy jazz hop EP where the sounds of hip hop and jazz are incorporated to meet each other with a touch of New Jack Swing. That New Jack Swing sound is what gives his EP an upbeat vibe. Jazzie has that soul touch with a jazzy flavor. His sound and style are very much similar to Grand Daddy I.U., Jhiame, J Reale, Bobby Brown, Aaron Hall, and Guru. Houston rap and Mo City rap can’t get any better than this!Looking for some old school rap? Then this EP is perfect for you.
She Turned Me On (She Saxed Me) is a jazzy hip hop song where jazz and hip hop meet other. The song follows a sophisticated groove over several layers of bouncy synth bass. She Turned Me On (She Saxed Me) is a mellow jazz hop song on that RnB tip similar to Cameo or Charlie Wilson. This song is about a sexy female saxophone soloist whom Jazzie wants to have sex with. Setting for this song took place in California. It’s a really dope track.
Think About It (Trag/New Mix) features MC Trouble (R.I.P) and King Tee. Synth bass follows the bouncy hip hop groove. It’s a really dope track.
Miss You (Trag/New Mix) is a mellow jazz hop cover of The Rolling Stones - Miss You. The song uses synth bass over a jazzy saxophone riff. The second half of the song makes Al Green - Love & Happiness look groovy. The vibe and flow both blend in perfectly with each other.
Jazzie Redd raps on the smooth tip on Watching You. The song uses several layers of percussion with the occasional saxophone. Beats on this song are considerably bouncy for a song titled Watching You. Of course that can be too surprising since the song was released during a time when New Jack Swing was at a high peak. Either way, if you are into old school rap, then you will not want miss out on the opportunity to listen to this song.
Jazzie has this eye on this woman whom he has trying to get with for a long time. She passes by him every time. He tells her, “Girl, I’m watching you.” He has a desire to invite her over to his place for a dinner date. She’s the one for him.
Watching You uses a medium sized selection of samples which consist of 4 songs. The 4 songs are as follows: Indeep - Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, King Floyd - Groove Me, Art of Noise - Beatbox, Run DMC - Here We Go (Live at the Funhouse).
The Colors Of Jazz EP even included the hit single “I’m A Dope Fiend”. I’m A Dope Fiend was his smash hit single back in 1992. The I’m A Dope Fiend single sold over 400,000 copies nationwide thanks to distribution from Pump Records/Quality Records. Distribution was a huge contributor for the national success of this single. The song featured Los Angeles/Compton rapper Toddy Tee. He was also Jazzie’s label mate and long time affiliate of Pump Records.
I’m A Dope Fiend used to be played all the time on radio stations in Houston. People used to hear this song played on 93 WBLX and 97 KBXX. K104 Greg Street in Atlanta played this song a bunch of times. Yet this is one of those songs that was more popular than the artist that sung it. Unfortunately people forgot about Jazzie Redd it seems. But those from Houston won’t.
The song was even played on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Jimmy Fallon first heard his song during a performance in LA. It was there where Jimmy invited Jazzie Redd to perform I’m A Dope Fiend on his television show. That is exactly how this song of Jazzie Redd’s was included in one of Jimmy’s skits. Not too many people remember that one of Jimmy’s skits included this song.
For those who didn’t know or don’t remember, I’m A Dope Fiend was an anti-drug rap song which explained the dangers of drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Everything on this song is right on point. It’s hard to clean yourself up when you do drugs. You can’t help people that don’t want to be helped.
The song also discusses the tragic side of drug use which is suicide. People sometimes commit suicide when they do drugs. These lyrics represent the tragic side of drug use.: “He had a bullet in his chest and a pipe in his hand" Jazzie’s homeboy pulled a Kurt Cobain and then shot himself after he smoked crack. Now this is the portion of the song that will make you sad.
Only a select few copies of this EP have the song The Colors Of Jazz. Most copies of this EP don’t have the song. The Colors Of Jazz later appeared on his 1993 EP Mile High Madness, the Misery Loves Company single, and sophomore album from 1995 titled The Voice Of Authority. Both versions each have the same version of "The Colors Of Jazz”.
Jazz and hip hop are incorporated to meet each other on the song The Colors Of Jazz. The song uses a jazzy hip hop infusion. Upright bass follows alongside an upbeat hip hop melody.
The beginning of this song uses a sample from The Wizard Of Oz called The Witch Hates Music. The Witch Hates Music used as the intro for The Colors Of Jazz. Parts of this sample are mildly distorted to give away an old timey vibe. Vocals are boosted to a higher level.
Jazzie Redd takes lead on this solo song of his. The Colors Of Jazz are a new style of rapping and rhyming. It’s a new technique of his. Back up off the real!
4/5****!
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The Legion Of Doom – Nobody's IdentiCAL single review
The Legion Of Doom – Nobody's IdentiCAL was a single that bursted onto the San Diego hip hop scene in 1987. The single was released on cassette and packaged in an O-card. In less than 3 months, the single became an underground hit. They are the epitome of what San Diego (San Ysidro to be exact) is and was. They were from 151 Posse. Mikeski holds down the turntables with the groups cultural mix.San Diego’s funky hip hop sounds are what you can expect to hear on this single.
5/5*****!
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Rell – Ghetto album review
Rell – Ghetto was an album that was an early draft and promo of Rell’s debut album The Remedy which was supposed to be released in 1998. Ghetto was only issued as a vinyl promo by Roc-A-Fella Records in 1998. This vinyl had a total of 5 songs.
Some of his 1998 songs from this promo album were used on The Remedy album in 2001. Songs such as Let Me Show U, Say It Ain’t So, Are You Ready, and When Will You See were used on The Remedy album. The only song not used was Somehow Someway.
The Ghetto album was one of the three albums that he recorded during his time at Roc-A-Fella Records. This was because the label did not know how to promote R&B artists and the producers had disagreements with Rell himself. This album was supposed to be released on Elektra and Roc-A-Fella Records in 1998, but that never happened due to business politics. The album kept getting pushed back and ignored. It's a shame this album didn't come out. It is just so annoying that never happened. Now all of the three albums he recorded on that label remain unreleased to this day.
Somehow Someway was and is one of Rell’s most overlooked songs that is considered to be a masterpiece. Rell uses his breathtaking angelic vocals on this song. You can hear and feel the strength that is present in his vocals.
Somehow, someway, Rell has to have this woman in his life.
Honestly this song should have been chosen to be another one of his buzz singles to promote his debut album. But because the Roc did not know how to market R&B artists properly, the song ended up not being used as a single and was pushed to the side in favor of other songs such as Love For Free, If That’s My Baby, It’s Obvious, and Let Me Show U.
It’s truly a shame this song did not make the final track listing of his debut album because the song fit his breathtaking angelic neo-soul vocals, style, sound, and image. Rocafella dropped the ball with Rell and this song.
Say It Ain't So is a heartbreaking song about how Rell’s lover became a totally different person. The song Say It Ain't So is a tale of heartbreak, sadness, and betrayal. Say It Ain't So was produced by North Carolina producer Mike City.
All of this time Rell thought he was the only one that mattered to her. He was so convinced that they were headed in the right direction. Now it’s as if she were a totally different person. It’s as if she were someone else. She changed like the weather changes. Her kisses are cold as a winter freeze in Alaska.
Rell explains mysterious calls he has been receiving. There’s been so many different numbers. She never knew about the notes he found on the windshield of her car. Is this the kind of thanks he gets for loving her the way he did? Rell loved her faithfully. He tells her to keep her phony smiles. Her heart has been missing for a while. The picture has never been clearer.
Now the song Ghetto was actually Ghetto Stash which featured label mate and rapper Memphis Bleek. When Will You See featured female rapper Amil over a spicy hip hop funk groove and beat.
5/5*****!!
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Bombshell – Bomb Threat EP review
Bombshell – Bomb Threat is one of the many forgotten rap EPs to have ever come from Detroit rap. Not too many people outside Detroit or the Metropolitan area know about Bombshell (Kori Blake). The EP has such impressive production. The EP features an impressive line-up of guest artists and producers. Detroit's most notorious rap diva, BombShell, never fails to disappoint her audience when it comes to rapping.
B.S. (Initials of My Name) is laced with high-energy lyrics and was her first single from this EP. BombShell shows nothing but love for Detroit. The title to this song is self-explanatory.
The most notorious chick out the click. She’s in the fast lane lookin' through the glass stain windows. Her permanent profession of rap made her a legend. She has earned the critically acclaimed title of “diva rhyme prodigy”.
Bombshell hits us with verbal kungfu on Verse 2. She lets us feel and taste the voodoo of this lyrical Guru. BombShell blazin' hatas wit the fire and heat. If you can’t stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen. Y'all know she’s the dopest lyrically potent emcee. The purest of breed to the highest degree maximum. One thing is factual is that she’s abstract and blew back with a ‘fuck you attitude’. Wretched and rude. Verbally abusing these fools.
Aundre is a biographical tale which is a dedication to her big brother Aundre LeVell White, Sr., who died during a random homicide.
Aundre’s death was caused by a gunshot. Death by gunshot in a random act of homicide. How he got into this predicament was him being caught way off guard.
Gunshots rang out. Aundre was struck by one of the bullets causing him to fall to the ground. This was an unforgettable act of homicide. Cries of friends and close kin were heard for blocks dramatized by sirens. The ambulance hit the corner then the lights went out.
All of a sudden everything came tumblin' down. BombShell broke down and started crying. She is destroyed spiritually because she can't relate to life without him. She needs help to conquer the void Aundre left when he was here. He’s supposed to be here. BombShell don't care what nobody says. Now she will forever be scarred by his death and homicide.
BombShell has to break the news her mama to tell her that her motherhood and sacrifice has been dishonored. She has to help her mama through this trying time of pain. Mama is feelin' the pain.
Retaliation is on her mind. She is enraged. Life is full of lessons, but did he have to die?
6 years gone by and a lot has changed since his homicide. All the same niggas hustling trying to make it in and out of the game on the block. All while searching for the fortune and fame. It's that hood mentality of which they all ordained.
All the memories are flowing back. They used to skip school and hang at the recreation center.
They had fought over everything. But yet secrets were kept. Aundre never got a chance to meet his niece and nephew.
Bud Zone is the goodie of this EP. The production is crisp and smooth. Beats are thin but crisp. BombShell brings that West Coast flava from Detroit on Bud Zone as she has the goodies. Despite the slightly fast pace, the song is perfect to burn out to.
Ya’ll Ain’t Ready is a no hold barred type of track fueled with hardcore lyricism. She’s droppin' rap bombs like they are C-12s. If you can’t stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen. Y'all know she’s the dopest lyrically potent emcee. You better notify authorities because you’ll need help. You muthafuckas ain't raw enough to battle her.
5/5*****!
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James Wallace – Be Mine / Take A Chance On Me is a classic funky neo-soul single that many people of Flint remember and regard highly as a very underrated classic by most people. 80s funk and soul leaves to be desired to the mind.
The single had two funky love ballads called Be Mine and Take A Chance On Me. Be Mine was the A side and Take A Chance On Me was the B side. Be Mine / Take A Chance On Me was issued as a 12” inch vinyl in 1983 on the Darco Records (Darco Productions) label. As a label, Darco Productions put out a small string of singles during the 80s in Flint. These singles hardly made waves outside of Flint.
Be Mine is a slow subtle love song with a sweet vibe. Two words to describe Be Mine is beautiful and sweet. To many Bedrock residents, Be Mine is regarded as a very underrated classic. There’s a woman in James dreams. She is his everything. James is shy but can’t let her slip on by. It’s clear that he want her to be his lover.
Michael West sang the background vocals on Be Mine. It’s truly amazing how when Michael sings that it sounds like 3 people singing. That’s talent and technology right there. His singing talent leaves much to be desired to one’s ears. Danny Singleton played the drums on this song.
Take A Chance On Me uses a mixture of funk and blues. A blues guitar is used at the very beginning of this song. Blues and funk make a good mixture.
5/5*****!!
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