Roderick Roachford, Joseph Jones and Lennox Maturine make up a trio of rappers from Brooklyn who in 1991 took the name of Fu-Schnickens and the following year released their debut album.
The production is quite simplistic, funky, lean, frenetic rhythms to support the ultra-fast delivery of the trio: in particular Chip Fu stands out with an ultra-fast and clear flow, among the most influential of the period because his style will come soon imitated by everyone, first anticipating the Das EFX. From the sound point of view, the group produces almost the entire record, with the help of A Tribe Called Quest in some cuts: both groups are affiliated with Native Tongues, A Tribe Called Quest, coincidentally, put the rhythms to two singles and therefore the production is expected to be at least partially excellent, because the group has shown in the past that they can make some of the best hip-hop beats of the year, while as lyricists they're mediocre.
Instead, they prove to be mediocre even as producers, with two commercial beats and a soulful female chorus trying to save the beat of "Heavenly Father". The lyricism of Chip-Fu, Moc-Fu and Poc-Fu ("Fu" means "for unity") is braggadocio simple most of the time with several references to pop culture, while the rapping is delivered with some Jamaican influence. Disappointing the posse song in the finale, with uninspired guests. Overall, the album is accessible and simple, party-like, yet erratic: it's the first to introduce kung-fu movie samples, references to kung-fu, martial arts and Asian culture, anticipating the Wu-Tang Clan and making this record an influential and forgotten document.
Highlights: "True Fuschnick", "Ring the Alarm", "La Schmoove".
Rating: 7/10.
No comments:
Post a Comment