Coolio — It Takes a Thief

Debut album by Artis "Coolio" Ivey, former member of WC and The Maad Circle. Production, sometimes paired with live instrumentation, is mainly provided by Brian "Wino" Dobbs, along with Rashad Coles, Billy Boy, Brian G, WC and his brother DJ Crazy Toones, Doug Rasheed, Clyde "Spoony" Colen (who with Coolio was part of the Nu-Skool), Architect and by Coolio himself. The MC doesn't need guests, practically never, because it leaves a lot of space for excellent samples that refresh the disc with each track, allowing him to perform alone for almost an hour, before the final song with J-Ro of Tha Alkaholiks and Billy Boy.

Often driven by good bass and controlled by a slow, tight, pounding drum, the producers' chosen funky boom bap rhythms provide a robust soundscape for Coolio's gangsta bars, which also delivers several socio-conscious excerpts from street life and about the problems in the ghetto. The album features several strong cuts and a few forgettable weak moments ("Ugly Bitches", low and commercial rhythm almost like a video game, hip-dance / hip-house, with whiny and annoying synths). The Compton rapper has a good voice and chooses a smooth and slow delivery style, also boasting a great ear that allows him to choose flawless samples: Roy Ayers, Isley Brothers, Rufus & Chaka Khan, Grover Washington Jr., Marvin Gaye, Eddie Kendricks, Al Green, Malcolm McLaren, Slick Rick, Melle Mel.

This skill allowed him to build an enviable rap career that soon led to worldwide success the following year by performing bars on the music of Stevie Wonder, while here his greatest hit arrives on the original notes of a song of the same name by Lakeside: "Fantastic Voyage" gets heavy television airplay, becomes an international hit and one of the best-selling songs of the year (#3 in the Hot 100, certified platinum). The other three singles are also great tracks ("County Line", "Mama I'm in Love Wit a Gangsta", "I Remember"). Released by Tommy Boy, the album is well-received by both audiences and critics, reaching the top ten of pop and rap records and being certified platinum in three months. Recommended to West Coast fans.

Highlights: "Fantastic Voyage", "County Line", "Mama I'm in Love Wit a Gangsta", "Ghetto Cartoon", "Can-O-Corn", "It Takes a Thief", "I Remember".

Rating: 7.5/10.