Whodini — Open Sesame

Whodini jumps on the Run-DMC bandwagon, but there's not much room to be comfortable. "Rock You Again" is a parody of the legendary duo: rocking rhythm, rap rock, decent delivery on a bare and hardcore Run-DMC style rhythm, clearly copied; the difference is that Whodini places a trivial hook on it and its delivery is lackluster.

Millie Jackson raises this album with a good spot on the funky skeletal rhythm of "Be Yourself", branded James Brown. That track is the only one to hit the charts. Then "Cash Money" muds the album and sends it to the cellar with a very slow and bare rhythm, essential, horrible hook laaaaaame. Awful cut. The next track, which presents a very bad, indecent and unwilling delivery by the duo, is slightly better, also includes a ridiculous hook on a poor funky skeletal rhythm.

"Early Mother's Day Card" is not above mediocrity, drowned by a banal spoken hook and by the usual essential funky rhythm that never stands out from the other beats. Similar speech for the next one, delivery and chorus both trivial, while in the seven piece there is a functional R&B hook with a funky skeletal jazzy production, not unlike the previous ones. "I'm Def" is another Run-DMC hardcore skeletal rhythm, Whodini sounds badly and delivers just like another copycat group, even alternating with each other. The trivial scratched chorus only highlights this disgustingly weak and embarrassing result. There followed a choice that is ridiculous from start to finish: hard skeletal rhythm, indecent delivery of the duo and bad hook. Another bare hardcore rhythm in "For the Body", with a delivery that is relentlessly dominated by the heavy rhythm, including the weak hook. The only positive note: it lasts relatively little. This bad LP ends with a faint and skippable ballad.

The album climbed the charts and went to gold certification, the last for the trio on their last album with Jive/Arista before signing with MCA. The record is almost entirely produced by Larry Smith, far from his peak form, with a couple of beats left to the group themselves along with Sinister. Whodini hardcore is devoid of inventiveness and on the verge of parody, not helped by music or lyrics. 3/10.