First, last, only work of the Original Concept group, made up of Andre "Doctor Dré" Brown (the MTV host with James "Ed Lover" Roberts), Tyrone "T-Money" Kelsie (regular guest on "Yo! MTV Raps"), Gerald "Rapper G" Gray, and Gary "Easy G" Reese. In the early eighties, these four kids formed the group Concept Crew, with a show on the same station who featured Spectrum City, whose members would later form Public Enemy. In 1986, the group changes name in Original Concept and releases "Knowledge Me", followed by "Can You Feel It", originally the b-side then chosen as their first single. In 1988, they sign to Def Jam Records, publishing their unique LP.
Well, "Legend" opens this tape fortunately forgotten in hip hop 1988, sunk by fifty best works. Skit, then decent jazzy boom bap, tight, minimal drum machine, Mike Saxon at the guitar, the beat is quite simplistic and the delivery just decent. "Charlie" doesn't differ too much from the previous one, simple, minimal, jazzy skinny beat and decent delivery with a functional hook, while the third song features a more frenetic beat beat rhythm and a tight and rapid sax sample on the scratched hook; moreover, the rappers decide to deliver faster, always in a weak way. A skit follows, then there's "Pump That Bass/Live": pounding rhythm, minimal and skeletal drums, guitar riff by Mike Saxon on the scratched hook, with an annoying chorus in the background and a flat delivery.
All in all, we're moving towards a decent and generic record of the late eighties, instead "Jonnie Wuza Gangsta" arrives, first of all a series of very weak cuts: minimal beat, guitar riff provided by Mike Muller in the background for the trivial and functional hook, the whole piece seems stolen from the Run-DMC / Beastie Boys, but without energy and malice. They almost shout, but the impression is pretty lackluster, including the hook, they're not convincing. The following song has yet another minimal and simplistic beat, rap rock rhythm, vicious background, hardcore delivery, another Run-DMC track, particularly lame hook.
"Prejudice" has one of the worst tracks on the record: they sample Aerosmith, "Dream On", yet another attempt to resemble Run-DMC who signed "Walk This Way" with the same legendary band, choosing to exchange a few random bars on a tense, simple, drum machine left in the background which provides a minimal and weak boom bap. The track doesn't suck too much, but the attempt to emulate Run-DMC in this way is nasty. Interlude with reverse skit on guitar licks that opens the way to "Can U Feel It? 88!": instrumental tune scratched, simplistic beat, skeletal drum machine, frenetic and light.
"Get Stupid ... Again" has a simple, essential, fast-paced and funky rhythm, minimal drum machine, decent vibes, quick delivery, limp, poor functional hook. The next track is distinguished by the background clapping and the essential funky rhythm, always skinny, lackluster hardcore delivery and hook left to the beat with scratches, annoying background. "Fatlady" follows, among the best pieces (still indecent) in the b-side of the disc: decent, accessible, tight, slightly annoying hard-n-raw musical choice in the long run, simple and skeletal drum machine, decent, fast, weak delivery.
We're around the end of the album, but it's still long: skit, simplistic, frenetic and essential beat, hardcore rapping attempts, with a poor chorus. "She's Gotta Mustache" is similar to the other songs, with a decent productions and a dull rap, despite the featuring of Beastie Boys member Mike D. You get to "Stranded", a choice to skip immediately, this song is extravagant and useless. Finally, "Total Confusion", a sort of summary of this LP, isn't wrong from the beginning to the end, starts decently, then ends badly: here they go to steal directly from a classic, "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin, delivery to be ashamed, still bites and bites at Run-DMC, badly successful attempt of rap rock rhythm that sounds bad even due to a heavy drum machine in background that instead sounds really light.
Doctor Dré on production and drums, Elliot Nobles on co-production and keyboards, Mike Saxon and Mike Muller split guitar duties, Randy London and Eric Gelgand help on drums, scratches are by Doctor Dré and Easy G, T-Money and Rapper G are on mic, but the mastermind behind it all is Rick Rubin, that's why the guys sound so similar to Run-DMC. Distributed by Def Jam and Columbia / CBS for the US, UK, Canadian, European, Australian and Greek markets, the album also arrives in Japan the following year, but doesn't sell anywhere and this leads to the end of the group and the recording career of its members. Not recommended.
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