Lil Louis & The World - Journey With The Lonely album review
Lil Louis & The World - Journey With The Lonely is much better than your average 4/5**** electronic album or house single. The sounds of acid house music meet dance music and jazz on this album. One thing is for sure is that this album is still ahead of its time today. The house music today cannot hold a candle to this album. Its sophisticated production stands the test of time even in today’s music and climate. Lil Louis is a genius. He sure has a unique eclectic taste in music.
Lil Louis did not write this album for fame, fortune, or popularity. He believes success comes from one’s own hard work and effort. He was clearly satisfied by the results of this album of his. Lil Louis had wrote this album for the lonely generation.
He wrote this message in the liner notes.:
"4 the lonely generation
I didn't write this album 4 fame
I didn't write this 4 fortune
I didn't write this 4 popularity
I wrote this 4 U
Success comes from within"
Club Lonely was the international club hit which revived Lil Louis name into the 1990s which gave him popularity at the earlier end of the decade. It’s another song which made Lil Louis an international underground house music sensation.
This song defined Chicago house music back in the 1990s. The song is a mixture of house music and techno. It’s a perfect acid house jam. Acid jazz meets house music with sensuous melodies. The melodies are sensuous. Sensuous melodies are what made this song a dance hit for 1992. Club Lonely stayed at #1 on the BillBoard Charts for a few straight weeks in summer of 1992.
Club Lonely was a song written for the lonely people who were part of the lonely generation. Lil Louis was well aware of this when he wrote Club Lonely. The song is perfect for this lonely social outcasts of the world.
Club Lonely is the club that worldly people love. Club Lonely is the place for broken hearts is where players hang apart and the lonely people congregate. You’ll find happiness and love among the rest if you go to Club Lonely. Listen to the music and the sound. The beat makes you move in the groove. So work on in the groove down at Club Lonely. Listen to the laughter from the crowds. That will liven up your mood.
Do U Love Me is a wonderful piece of house music which can be considered a classic deep house song with a bass line that will get you every time you listen to this song. The kick drum kicks in after the first verse and the snare drum that kicks in after the second verse. The bass and drums will have you bounce around. It is both hypnotic and melodic. The song is nothing short of emotionally tugging. Joi Caldwell’s vocals were sublime on this song. Do U Love Me samples Taana Gardner - HeartBeat and Freedom - Get Up And Dance.
The song explores regret in seeking confidence from a friend. Read Verse 2.:
[Verse 2]
In my soul I always knew
That I dared to ask of you
Who’s a friend, I would regret
So I live with my secret
Somewhere singing signs of spring
Whispering a melody
But before I’ll spread my wings
Will you answer candidly
[Chorus]
If you love me
Take me higher and higher (x2)
The fifth verse seeks for truthfulness. Read Verse 5.:
[Verse 5]
Hold me baby
Here’s what I say to you
From my soul (From your soul)
I’m asking you (Just be true)
The song Do U Love Me is also about taking love inside a relationship to a higher level. Lyrics to the chorus indicate that.
[Chorus]
If you love me
Take me higher and higher (x2)
Dancing In My Sleep is one of the lesser known songs from Lil Louis where he produced the beats himself. Joi Cardwell was the lead vocalist who wrote this song. Her vocals are sung in perfect harmony. Lil Louis himself did not write this song.
Dancing In My Sleep is about awakening to a new world with eyes wide in search of something new. Reaching for our dreams. The first verse highlights this at the very beginning. Take a look.:
[Verse 1]
Once upon a time
When things were new
Our eyes wide
We saw the world anew
We sang our songs and we danced along
Reaching for our dreams
Now it’s been so long since our view was clear
And our dance we walk through like sleep
Imagine dancing in your sleep. You toss and turn trying to break the mold. Someone lovingly reaches out to you. Pushing you to grow. Others tell you not to change and to stay the way you are. Now it’s time to ignore them and shake to a different dance or groove.
Verse 2 highlights the encouragement of growth. Take a look.:
[Verse 2]
Oh
Fitfully
I toss and turn trying to break the mold
Lovingly you reach out to me
Pushing me to grow
Others tell me not to change
to stay the way I am
But I’m itching to move
Time to groove
Time to shake to a different dance
Now the chorus explains how to shake this mood by watching for something new. Read the chorus to find exact details.:
[Chorus]
I’m dancing in my sleep
Waiting for something new
Im dancing in my sleep
Waiting for just for you
I’m dancing in my sleep
Waiting for something new
I’m dancing in my sleep
Waiting for just for you
I’m just dancing
Trying to shake this mood
New Dance Beat is a futuristic jazzy electronic dance song where the sounds of jazz meet deep house which turns into a jazz house song. The jazziness is what makes this song so wonderful. This is pure classic house here. This is what pure jazz house is.New Dance Beat is one of the best songs off this album! You definitely do not want to skip this song or miss out on listening to it.
New Dance Beat was produced by Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez and Louie Vega. They are the masters at work here on this classic. This one of Louie Vega’s most underrated songs that he produced.
Lil Louis predicted the future of music when he said, "They used to laugh at me, but I saw the future. Record company recession. Dance floor boredom. Copy machines spitting out song after song." And when he said, “They used to laugh at me, but I see the future.” and “They used to laugh at me, but I saw the future.” His message couldn’t be more accurate than now. The message is more truer than ever.
Lil Louis was ahead of the times given that New Dance Beat was written during the golden age of house music. He did see the future! Because look at what happened to today’s music. Music is now electronically processed garbage. House music was beautiful at one time and now it is just processed garbage.
You’re My Reason is a mellow tune with a mid tempo pace. The song is Chicago house music at its finest. You’re My Reason is one of the lesser known songs from Lil Louis.
Funny How U Luv is also another one of the lesser known songs from Lil Louis. The song uses a dreamy soundscape with a touch of smooth jazz. A funky guitar adds into the layers of instruments used on this song. The guitar gives the song an edge of funkiness.
Jazzmen is a Lil Louis song where the sounds of jazz music meet acid house music. The song is an instrumental for the most part. The saxophone solo is on point and so is the trumpet solo. Jazzmen is the track only available on the CD version of Journey With The Lonely and not on vinyl or cassette.
5/5*****!!
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Lil Gin – Junts We Choke II single review
Lil Gin – Junts We Choke II was a cassette maxi single for the 1995 album Shake Junt that was released in 1994. This cassette was something which basically served an album sampler. Lil Gin is an example of underground Memphis rap at its finest. That is because Lil Gin never disappoints. The production is solid and quite consistent as everything was produced by DJ Paul from Three 6 Mafia and Kingpin Skinny Pimp for Gimi Sum Productions. Now the tempo is set to a slow pace as this single has an average tempo of 95 BPM. Topics range from heists to everyday struggles.
Pimp Shit has that hazy laid back pimp sound backed by a groovy guitar. You can tell the way the guitar was tuned was so dope. That is true. Now the looped guitar sample is whats makes this so dope, laid back, mellow, and groovy.
Sawed Off explains how Lil Gin got himself involved with a bank heist. He is on the run from police and various law enforcement agencies. So he carries his sawed off shotgun to protect himself from the danger that lies head.
Shake Junt is one of those hyped up rap songs to get pumped up and dance to. The song is also perfect to smoke marijuana to. Shake Junt was and still is the strip club anthem of all times. Kingpin Skinny Pimp can be heard on this song also. Samples used in Shake Junt are Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock and 69 Boyz - Tootsie Roll.
Glock in My Draws showcases some early beats produced by DJ Paul. This is some of the early DJ Paul productions of his early work. Lil Gin is counting money and jumping fences to avoid being apprehended by police. He keeps a glock in his draws (underwear) for protection.
So High is one of those songs to smoke marijuana to. So slice the blunt and light up that green shit because you will be so high after listening to this Lil Gin song. DJ Paul produced those consistent laid back beats. DJ Paul killed the beat. The beats are heavy and dark for an underground rap single. Lil Gin was 14 when performed and recorded So High. It’s crazy how a 14 year old can go this hard.
Busta ass niggas talk shit and can't back it up. What happens is that they wind up gettin' served something proper by Lil Gin. He don't give a fuck. He’ll be hiding in the bushes waiting for your ass to come out. He plans to cock his Smith n Wesson back into your mouth The police can't catch him as he leaves no evidence of his crimes behind. Those that get caught slippin’ get killed. Lil Gin is full of that fire Indo smoke. This means Lil Gin is high.
Why oh why must Carmike smoke? Mistah Carmike comin' at yo azz. So just pass the Buddah and let him hit it. Carmike, Kingpin Skinny Pimp, and Lil Gin are ridin' clean.
Triple 6 and Gimi Sum are coming at you with a bullet point blank in your fucking chest. A Save a bullet proof vest for your friend to put over their head. DJ Paul is shooting straight for some dreads. This shit is so fuckin' thick. Some like the killer Lucifer standing behind yo back with swords of war.
Kingpin Skinny Pimp’s drop top is fresh up out the paint shop. Rollin' in his drop top. Smoke scattered out. The Buddah got him so damn high.
5/5*****!!
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Lil Gin – Shake Junt album review
Lil Gin – Shake Junt is one of the smoothest rap albums from Memphis rap for 1995. Lil Gin is an example of underground Memphis rap at its finest. That is because Lil Gin never disappoints. The production is solid and quite consistent on this album as everything was produced by DJ Paul from Three 6 Mafia and Kingpin Skinny Pimp for Gimi Sum Productions. Kingpin Skinny Pimp also helped Lil Gin write some of his songs on this album too. Now the tempo is set to a slow pace as this single has an average tempo of 95 BPM. Topics on this album range from heists to everyday struggles.
Pimp Shit has that hazy laid back pimp sound backed by a groovy guitar. You can tell the way the guitar was tuned was so dope. That is true. Now the looped guitar sample is whats makes this so dope, laid back, mellow, and groovy.
Sawed Off explains how Lil Gin got himself involved with a bank heist. He is on the run from police and various law enforcement agencies. So he carries his sawed off shotgun to protect himself from the danger that lies head.
Shake Junt is one of those hyped up rap songs to get pumped up and dance to. The song is also perfect to smoke marijuana to. Shake Junt was and still is the strip club anthem of all times. Kingpin Skinny Pimp can be heard on this song also. Samples used in Shake Junt are Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock and 69 Boyz - Tootsie Roll.
Kingpin Skinny Pimp helped him write the song Once Again It’s Lil Gin. Kingpin Skinny Pimp acknowledges his role as the songwriter with the lyrics “The writer bring it to Lil Gin and Lil Gin bring it to you hoes”.
So High is one of those songs to smoke marijuana to. So slice the blunt and light up that green shit because you will be so high after listening to this Lil Gin song. DJ Paul produced those consistent laid back beats. DJ Paul killed the beat. The beats are heavy and dark for an underground rap album. Lil Gin was 14 when performed and recorded So High. It’s crazy how a 14 year old can go this hard.
Busta ass niggas talk shit and can't back it up. What happens is that they wind up gettin' served something proper by Lil Gin. He don't give a fuck. He’ll be hiding in the bushes waiting for your ass to come out. He plans to cock his Smith n Wesson back into your mouth The police can't catch him as he leaves no evidence of his crimes behind. Those that get caught slippin’ get killed. Lil Gin is full of that fire Indo smoke. This means Lil Gin is high.
Why oh why must Carmike smoke? Mistah Carmike comin' at yo azz. So just pass the Buddah and let him hit it. Carmike, Kingpin Skinny Pimp, and Lil Gin are ridin' clean.
Triple 6 and Gimi Sum are coming at you with a bullet point blank in your fucking chest. A Save a bullet proof vest for your friend to put over their head. DJ Paul is shooting straight for some dreads. This shit is so fuckin' thick. Some like the killer Lucifer standing behind yo back with swords of war.
Kingpin Skinny Pimp’s drop top is fresh up out the paint shop. Rollin' in his drop top. Smoke scattered out. The Buddah got him so damn high.
5/5*****!!
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Lil Devious - Lifted B/w Deep Reach single review
Lil Devious - Lifted B/w Deep Reach is one of the more forgotten releases from British electronic production duo Lil Devious. This is one of their more disco oriented records compared to all of their singles in their discography and catalog.
Lifted is filled with 70's fueled bass lines over loud screaming police sirens. The song takes place at a disco. The crowd starts cheering and chanting during the disco which is that noise you hear in the background. Lil Devious had certainly taken this song over the edge. Disco meets electronic on Lifted.
Deep Reach is filled with 70's fueled bass lines over loud screaming police sirens. Lil Devious had certainly taken this song over the edge. Deep Reach is most notable for using such deep keys. Deep Reach uses a groove that relentlessly keeps on building up to deep vocals and deep keys.
5/5*****!
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Lil Devious – Lil Devious 02 EP Remixes EP review
Lil Devious – Lil Devious 02 EP Remixes included remixed songs from the 2002 single release Lil Devious – Lil Devious 02. This EP uses such fresh up-to-date electronically produced and processed remixes of the original songs. Electronic music from the UK can’t get any hotter than this!
I Can't Wait (Percy Filth Remix) is slightly more distorted than the original version as the Percy Filth Remix of Can't Wait utilizes a more faster tempo. A bit of crunches are added into the electronic blend and production.
I Can't Wait (Tribe House Carnival Remix) uses a warped fusion and combination of tribal house techno in one recording. Although the vocal samples make are make this song quite repetitive. The song uses a funky club house remix too.
So Good (Soul Central Remix) uses a touch of 70s funk and 80s dance more so than the original version did. The sound is poppy for such a bright electronic song. Funk, dance, and soul meet electronic music here. 70's fueled bass lines can be heard all over the place. The tempo remains untouched.
4/5****
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Lil Devious – A Latin Thing / Bounce (Wit Me) single review
Lil Devious – A Latin Thing / Bounce (Wit Me) was one of the most spectacular well known singles from electronic house production duo Lil Devious from the 2000s. This was the single which was supported heavily by Groove Armada, K-Klass, Basement Jaxx, etc as this single was constantly played in UK clubs during the early 2000s. This single uses a mixture of world music elements such as Latin and reggae.
Bounce (Wit Me) was known for being supported heavily by Groove Armada, K-Klass, Basement Jaxx, etc. Groove Armada and Basement Jaxx heavily supported this song by playing this song at their concerts and in the UK clubs. Bounce (Wit Me) uses a Ragga styled Reggae element and sound. A Latin Thing is one the lesser known Lil Devious songs which blends Latin music and electronic music together. Such simple beats are used.
5/5*****!!
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39 Posse – 39 Posse EP review
39 Posse – 39 Posse is one super maximum dope New Orleans rap EP produced by DJ KLC who is renown for those heavy hitting, speaker rattling beats and drums. This entire EP from 39 Posse is laced with that funky old school hip hop sound and influence you would hear from New York City. 39 Posse in full effect!
Clockin' is a funky Louisiana rap influenced freestyle song which sampled a beat from Special Ed - Ready 2 Attack. You can also hear the old school hip hop influence here as well. 39 Posse in full effect!
You can hear that Louisiana influence in Ask Them Hoes with the xylophones and cowbells. And of course the woofing. That is how you can tell DJ KLC stuck true to the Louisiana roots in this song. This song carries a nice bass line over ultra loud heavy hitting beats produced by DJ KLC. This song is so raw and gritty.
Pumped In Power is the Parkway Pumpin Records anthem for this EP. DJ KLC stuck true to the Louisiana roots by using xylophones, cowbells, and woofing. The lyrics are action packed.
Got What It Takes To Make It uses a New Orleans styled Dixieland jazz horn sample in the background over heavy turntablism and ultra thick heavy beats produced by DJ KLC. Jazz meets hip hop rap on Got What It Takes To Make It. The original version of this song is and was better than remix. This version has some of that old school hip hop sound and flavor inside.
4/5****!
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39 Posse - 39 Automatic album review
39 Posse - 39 Automatic is Louisiana influenced gangsta rap album with those heavy hitting, speaker rattling beats and drums produced by DJ KLC. This entire album is laced with that funky old school hip hop sound and influence you would hear from New York City.
Clockin' is a funky Louisiana rap influenced freestyle song which sampled a beat from Special Ed - Ready 2 Attack. You can also hear the old school hip hop influence here as well. 39 Posse in full effect!
You can hear that Louisiana influence in Ask Them Hoes with the xylophones and cowbells. And of course the woofing. That is how you can tell DJ KLC stuck true to the Louisiana roots in this song. This song carries a nice bass line over ultra loud heavy hitting beats produced by DJ KLC. This song is so raw and gritty.
Got What It Takes To Make It uses a New Orleans styled Dixieland jazz horn sample in the background over heavy turntablism and ultra thick heavy beats produced by DJ KLC. Jazz meets hip hop rap on Got What It Takes To Make It. The original version of this song is and was better than remix. This version has some of that old school hip hop sound and flavor inside.
4/5****!
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Various Artists - Midnight Drama album review
Midnight Drama is one of the rarer compilation albums that Sean Tompkins released on his label Commerce Street Records in March 1999 on CD format with no barcode. Commerce Street Records was responsible for releasing for various compilation albums and Midnight Drama was one of them. Sean Tompkins served as the executive producer for the whole album and pulled songs that others performed and featured on from other albums. Ricé and 17 Freeze did a bulk of the production as always. They were the in-house producers for many San Antonio based record labels at the time.
The recording process for Midnight Drama lasted from 1997 to 1999. Most of the songs were recorded in 1997. There were a few that were recorded in 1999 but not that many.
Now the title of this compilation was inspired by a King 13 song of the same name called Midnight Drama which was recorded for the 1997 compilation Runnin Blind. That King 13 song would be included on this compilation. That is where the title for this album came from. Midnight Drama was first advertised on the January 1999 album Mr. Joshay - 21 Crunk St. on a theatre billboard.
Less than 10,000 copies of this album were pressed. That is why this album is considered long gone. Midnight Drama is even rarer than the Runnin' Blind compilation.
Part of Midnight Drama was recorded when Commerce Street Records was located on Commerce Street. Not too many people know this but Commerce Street Records was originally located on Commerce Street at the address of 2539 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, Texas, US 78203 The post address was 2539 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78203. That is the location of where Sean Tompkins originally opened Commerce Street Records.
The song and title track Midnight Drama is about all the drama that goes on during midnight. A lot of crime happens at midnight. King 13 tells us listeners, “When darkness falls, you better be prepared to fall. You better not get caught up in midnight drama.” Those are his cautionary words which tell us to stay away from the drama that happens during midnight.
Midnight Drama is a song King 13 recorded and freestyle on which uses a combination of freestyle rap and gangsta rap. That makes sense because King 13 was known for his freestyle raps. Midnight Drama is an intense piano laced rap song performed by King 13 himself. He wrote the lyrics to this song himself. Not many know this but King 13 was the freestyle of San Antonio pre-2002.
Now Midnight Drama is what led the Midnight Drama compilation to be recorded by a King 13 song of the same name called Midnight Drama which was used on the 1997 compilation Runnin Blind. That King 13 song would also be included on this compilation. That is where the title for this song and album came from. Midnight Drama is what inspired many San Antonio rappers to freestyle.
Ricé produced the song and played the piano. Notice during the beginning that a nice mellow piano solo is playing. The piano solo lasts for 12 seconds until 0:12. Quadruple layers of instrumentation start to kick in at the 0:13 mark.
When drama starts at midnight, you better be prepared for things to unfold and expect the unexpected. Be prepared to ride. The drama starts at midnight.
Several niggaz are the cold shooting dice. 2 of these niggaz took the life of one of their homeboys by killing him. They blamed that wickedness on liquor. Gun shots rang out from the parking lot. 4 niggaz got ganked. There were 49 bullet holes. There were 6 bullet holes found on the spine of a man. His relatives got the call that he would no longer be coming home.
Drug slanging and pimping is what goes at midnight. One man thought he could find narcotics but he ended up dead in a closed casket. One of these niggaz was fucking his wife. His friends go out to settle the score and end up getting killed. Fuck them all.
When darkness falls, you better be prepared to fall. Better be prepared to crawl. You better not get caught up in midnight drama. When darkness falls, you better be prepared to roll.
King 13’s Naked Soul takes us through the views of a gangsta. King 13 laces the mic with such fiery and aggression in his lyrics. This is not surprising since this is gangsta rap. Every song King 13 raps on is fire! That is a fact. His presence is huge for this song.
Naked Soul is a fierce piano laced rap song. The piano is what keeps the mood mellow sort of in a strange way. The feeling is both mellow and intense. Notice the piano solo played by 17 Freeze at the beginning of Naked Soul. 17 Freeze gives the song a sense of mellowness and tranquility with him playing the piano.
Mr. Joshay shows love and pays homage to the ghetto on “Ghetto Tears”. It’s another one of SA’s best songs that got overlooked in the rise of Southern rap. The song is filled with such smoothness over mean bass performed by Ricé.
It ain’t nothing like the ghetto. You know these Texas g’s be getting dollars. The ghetto is part of Mr. Joshay and he cannot let go of the ghetto. The ghetto is in him spiritually. So raise your hands if you can feel this southern sound. If you know you can feel him.
Only the strong survive. Ghetto tears run out of his eyes. In the line of hard times a ghetto child commits crimes. Mr. Joshay’s game has been laid. His aim is to get paid. That is his goal. He stays all about his scrilla (cash).
He claims LPT (Lockwood Park Terrace). The war is on. From the Uptown District to Sutton Homes it’s on. You don’t want to plex (beef) to with these Texas boys. Niggaz want to ride. Front and back & side to side with Mr. Joshay in a Cadillac. All draped out like Lil Keke. It ain’t nothing like the ghetto.
Mr. Joshay is sad because his daddy is doing time for being caught up in the grind. He did his dirt. He was trying to make ends meet by stacking paper and get up on his feet so his family can eat. Now we pay for what he did in the streets. The streets are what pay. It ain’t nothing like the ghetto. You know these Texas g’s be getting dollars. The ghetto is part of Mr. Joshay.
Funk meets rap on the funky rap song Diggy Down. Ricé and Mr. Joshay make it funky with the sound that is provided. The sound is similar to Mtume. Diggy Down is a song about Mr. Joshay’s neighborhood.
Mr. Joshay is from this hood which people call Diggy Down. Mr. Joshay was coming up funky from the start. He came up funky from the start as his neighborhood was funky. Now he’s got the fever for the flava. His rhymes are deep like a creek.
Mr. Joshay is staying down but keeping his composure. Mr. Joshay is staying down for his neighborhood. He gets around from the underground. He’s got the juice if you’re thirsty. So don’t be dissuaded by anything else that gets negative in life. This is the flava of drink that you are surely gonna enjoy. Now he’s got the fever for the flava. Nothing can save ya.
SCG - 3 Shotz is suspense filled gangsta rap track that is filled with street drama. The sound effects are perfect as they fit in appropriately with the mood and vibe. SCG is part of Lil Sin’s SoufField click and Santee’s PRC label.
SCG is trapped in the game. He is pulling that strap and is not holding back, loc. He don’t give a fuck about the laws. Fuck them haters. Haters tried to kill him. SCG represents the SCG Click from the South Side of San Antonio. He has ties with the East Side though.
Fuck them haters. Haters tried to kill him. He caught someone slipping. Another murder and another homicide is in progress. He don’t a fuck about another person’s death. That .9 millimeter shows no love as he pulls the hammer back. The sets doesn’t have any love for fakers. Better watch out.
Now 3 Shotz was recorded a studio on Nolan Street which was a bail bonds office and not at Ricé’s Music Box Studios. Jason Collins was supposed to be on SCG, Sir Knox, and Lady Pimp. However Jason Collins locked up. So the engineer and producer had to scrap the verse he laid. Lady Pimp got Jason’s verse and spot instead. SCG and Sir Knox did most of the rapping anyway.
5/5*****!
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