In 1985, singer Rob "Rob B" Birch and DJ and producer Nick "The Head" Hallam founded the Gee Street recording studio and record label, along with Jon Baker and DJ Richie Rich. In the following years, Birch, Hallam and DJ Cesare founded the rap group Ultimatum and released a couple of singles in 1988 on their own label G Records. In the same year, the group was noticed by 4th & B'way Records, with whom they signed, changed their name to Stereo MC's, released the single "What Is Soul?" and in 1989 published their debut album, which was made on a shoestring budget.
Among the first British hip hop albums, it's a pretty interesting record for the time, it explores different musical themes, also touching alternative, jazzy and dance-pop environments, and often dwelling on simple and minimal funky. Nothing to blame for rapping, flowing, clean, simple. The samples draw from seventies soul and funk (George Clinton isn't denied to anyone) and allow this effort to boast interesting tracks such as "What Is Soul", which presents a splendid sample from "La Resa dei Conti", gem from the soundtrack of the 1965 spaghetti western "For a Few Dollars More", one of the many of the master Ennio Morricone.
Released by Gee Street and 4th & Broadway, distributed by Island Records through half Europe, the disk never arrived in US with an official release. 6/10.
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