Robert "Lord Finesse" Hall Jr. was born in The Bronx, raised in the South Bronx, meeting as a kid Joseph "Diamond D" Kirkland and Andre "AG" Barnes, both future members of DITC group. The first DJ of Lord Finesse is Mike Smooth, producer from New York City, New York. Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth sign with Wild Pitch Records, label which in its paddock can boast Gang Starr, OC, Percee P and Main Source, among others. Around the same time, Lord Finesse deals with Ice-T's Rhyme Syndicate Management. In 1990, the duo creates their debut album.
After a intro, the record is introduced by "Baby, You Nasty (New Version)": bouncy drum, splendid bass line, cheerful rhythm, sample from James Brown's "Coldblooded", Lord Finesse runs smoothly over this soundscape provided by the main producer of the record, DJ Premier. The title track boasts a splendid musical painting, powerful bass line, light drum, pinched strings of guitar, sample from another song by James Brown, "Blind Man Can See It", perfect funky groove for Finesse here realized by Diamond D.
Showbiz is the author of the production for track number four, "Back to Back Rhyming": sample of The Fatback Band's "Kiba", good bass, uptempo light drum, dusted percussions, Finesse is flanked by AG in this joint. In the first twelve minutes of this tape you have half Diggin' in the Crates Crew, with Finesse, Diamond D, Show & AG. Andre the Giant eats the track with a tight performance.
Diamond D takes again from James Brown ("Take Some...Leave Some") to build the rhythm of the next tune, "Here I Come", sound of vynil crackling, light drum, rough bass line, horns looped, Finesse sounds at his ease over this kind of beats. "Slave to My Soundwave" has a sample of Rufus Thomas' "Itch and Scratch (Part I)", rough bass, lively drum, dusted percussions, DJ Mike Smooth and DJ Premier behind the keys to support the regular rapping of the Bronx emcee.
The track number seven opens a trio of track produced by Diamond D: sample from "Introduction" by Cannonball Adderley, hard drum, dusted percussions, lively bass, good rap by Finesse. James Brown is sampled again in this record for the next tune, "Bad Mutha". Diamond D is a genius, he creates a classic: wonderful loop, perfect bass, sound of vynil crackling, splendid horns, light dusty drum, the soundscape is wisely left to breathe for several seconds, Lord Finesse enters velvety and delivers one of the greatest hip-hop cuts of the whole year.
"Keep It Flowing" is the last tune produced by Diamond D: sample from Dennis Coffey and The Detroit Guitar Band's "Scorpio", uptempo rhythm, light drum, rapid bass loop, the author brings Andre the Giant to ride this musical carpet. DJ Premier returns behind the keys for "A Lesson to Be Taught": splendid violins, light drum, light bass line, sample from The Moments' "Sexy Mama", slow and regular rapping by Finesse. "Just a Little Something" is a uptempo production invented by Showbiz, dusted percussions, hard drum, obsessing piano keys looped too tightly, sample from "Battle" by Art of Noise for a bridge in the middle of the track.
"A Lover Was Born" by Lee Dorsey is the sample of "Strictly for the Ladies", good bass line, harsh drum, slick piano keys, effective rhythm created by Preemo, Lord Finesse exchange some bars with the singer Patryce "Chocolate" Banks. DJ Premier invents the beat for the last cut of the record, "Track the Movement": sample of Ohio Players' "Never Had a Dream", skeletal drum, dusted percussions, joined by a splendid funky sample from Lyn Collins' "Take Me Just as I Am", fresh trumpet, raw bass line, dusty violins. The beat is superlative, Lord Finesse drops bars with a regular, slow style, going to close what is one of his finest LP.
Gem hidden under the shelves of the most underrated artists in the game. Lord Finesse's debut is a masterpiece, one of the best albums produced during the golden age. It's an excellent record based on a production beautifully crafted by Premier, Diamond D and Showbiz, while Lord Finesse sounds fresh, calm, relaxed and smoothness, proving to have brilliant and refined skills on the mic, he's perpetually timed with the rhythm giving life to a satisfying sound.
AG gets fit in both of his spots, aided by the DITC sounds and by Finesse who doesn't want to miss anything. The whole effort breathes James Brown in his vibrant jazzy and funky productions, in his bridges, in his hooks and in the priceless Primo scratches that enhance the delivery of Finesse. Each song is great, too bad must note the absence of pure banger(s).
Rating: 8.5/10.
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