In the mid eighties is formed the hip-hop group Tuff Crew, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed by William "Ice Dog" Velazquez, Adreese "Tone Love" Burden, Joseph "DJ Too Tuff" Hicks, L.A. Kid and the hype man Monty G.
In 1986 they release the first single, "Get Smart", followed by "Philly Style" and by the EP "Phanjam", a split record with Camden, New Jersey hip-hop group The Known Rulers. This latter group was signed to So Def Records by DJ Too Tuff. "Phanjam" is producer by Ultramagnetic MC's members Ced Gee and Kool Keith, and allows both groups to make a name for themselves in the local Philadelphia rap scene.
In 1988, So Def (now Soo Deff) got a distribution deal with Warlock and released their first LP, containing ten self-produced tracks. The production is better than the debut using the usual skinny and harsh beat and a more worked drum machine that returns slightly more varied sounds, while the delivery isn't very driving also due to mediocre and uninspired lyrics.
The samples are among the strong points of this LP, in addition to the usual James Brown, the group also regards the past in hip hop: "Deuce, Ace, Housin'" is one of the best cuts, instrumental, samples a dozen other tracks, including Spoonie G, The Treacherous Three, Beside, The B-Boys, Kurtis Blow, Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick, Word of Mouth, Run-DMC, Syl Johnson's usual "Different Strokes", "Theme From Shaft" in evidence, majestic work by Isaac Hayes and even "Time" by Pink Floyd.
Rating: 7.2/10.
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