First and last album by the rap group Shadz of Lingo from Richmond, Virginia: is composed of Lingo, Kolorado and DJ Rocko, whose task I believe is limited to scratches on this record, although, the fact that the production isn't credited could deceive you into thinking that he's actually behind the keyboards. The group was born in Richmond in 1986, however, it doesn't record material until 1991, when it moves to Atlanta. The production is mostly done by Diamond D, a couple of beats are created by Dallas Austin and Madness 4 Real, while Erick Sermon signs a single beat, also performing as an uncredited guest on the second track.
"Different Stylez" is the first song, the production is provided by Diamond D: boom bap funky, weak drum, jazzy sample, mediocre delivery of performers. The following is the cut by and with Erick Sermon: he produces a mediocre rhythm, combining a poor sample with a slow pounding drum machine, while his contribution in rapping is decent enough to save the track, the other guys are inferiors. In choice number three, there's again the DITC beatmaker behind the keyboards, however, it all sounds pretty bad: quick drum, horn sample looped too tightly in the background, decent regular delivery of the group. "Wherez da Steel" has a funky Dallas Austin boom bap with thumping drum and wacky samples, Lingo and Kolorado have never sounded good so far and still don't. What is marked as an interlude is actually screamed pseudo-hardcore poor rap on a shoddy loop, which sadly doesn't go through too quickly. Madness 4 Real is the author of the soundscape of the title track: hard pounding drum, annoying squeaky sample, decent delivery somehow of the two MCs, who manage to carry out a discreet cut.
"Think I Give a Fuck" is another production of Diamond D, where the boy realizes one of the few rhythms that he has succeeded in this record: boom bap funky, decent sample, bare syncopated drum, light cymbals dusted in the background, great sample horn on the hook, slow hardcore delivery by the two rappers. The same producer finds another acceptable musical carpet on track eight, creating a good simple rhythm to support the inspired, confident and regular delivery of the performers. The following piece is rap acapella that precedes the two final cuts. Madness 4 Real is the author of what is probably the worst production on the album: the beat is awkward, formed by ridiculous sample and bad drum, rap sounds bad because of a terrible and annoying rhythm. Dallas Austin tries to match it in the final cut: Lingo and Kolorado are evidently not at their best here, they spit random bars on a desolate soundscape, made up of a poor, dull and lazy drum and a listless and lifeless sample that seems to be going to commit suicide. What the hell is that sound? Absurd.
Distributed by EMI and Capitol, the disc doesn't get feedback from either critics or the public, which decrees the end of the group: the only album by Shadz of Lingo consists of 11 tunes and 39 minutes of listening, irregular production, generic lyricism and tasteless rapping. Diamond D isn't one of my favorite DITC producers, but here he disappoints, missing the mark in half the rhythms he provides: luckily for him, Erick Sermon, Madness 4 Real and Dallas Austin all do worse than him, and he comes out as the best producer of the edition. Listening isn't essential.
Rating: 5/10.
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