After publishing his second studio album, Lord Finesse starts his career as producer, working with DITC artists Big L, Fat Joe, O.C., Diamond D, and others, among which Ill Biskits, Biggie Smalls, AK Skills, and Grand Puba. After the deal with Giant Records, Finesse signs with Penalty Recordings and records his new LP in 1995, releasing in 1996. The author is the unique producer, while the tape is full of guests: DITC rappers OC, Showbiz, Diamond D and AG, along with Doo-Wop, KRS-One, Akinyele, Marquee, Kid Capri, Grand Puba, Sadat X and Large Professor.
Some consider it the opera omnia of Finesse and perhaps they're right. Personally, I prefer the debut. It's certainly his best work from the point of view of his production, here he presents a darker mood than his usual one. It's a NY mid nineties record, which's a goodie, bringing you into a "Finessian" world, jazzy, funky, surrounded by Christmas bells, well-placed and well-interpreted interludes, tight samples, light, gloomy and essential rhythms. Guests are functional, helping the album to flow smoothly throughout its entire journey, Marquee, KRS & O.C. stand out; Brand Nubian are also good. [Another] technically perfect album, there are no weak tracks but neither are they very strong ones. For most records this is a crucial flaw, here Finesse doesn't suffer from this lack.
Among the best tracks there is "Brainstorm/PSK": jazzy funky boom bap, layered samples from Quincy Jones' "Slam City" and David Axelrod's "A Divine Image", O.C. here he's at top of his rapping, KRS delivers heavy, aggressive, raw, dope. "Speak Ya Peace" is another great joint: Mike Loe's gorgeous alternative jazzy, funky rhythm, consisting of a lounge jazz sample from "Naima" by Tom Scott and The California Dreamers. Marquee's perfect here among AG & Diamond D, high-level chorus, light, scratched, amazing cut. "Hip 2 Da Game" boasts an amazing jazzy funky boom bap, beautiful sample from "Dream of You" by Oscar Peterson and Milt Jackson, excellent smoothness delivery of Finesse.
Released by Penalty, distributed by Tommy Boy Records through Warner Bros. Records, the album was praised by critics and rediscovered by retrospectives as one of the best hip-hop albums of the 1990s, thanks to Lord Finesse's lyrical and musical talent. It also achieved better commercial success than his previous releases, but it was his final LP.
Rating: 8.7/10.
No comments:
Post a Comment