Debut studio album by the rap duo of San Francisco, California, U.D.I., acronym of Under Da Influence, composed by the rappers Quinton "Big Quint" Morris and Derrick "Dig" Reed. The disk is mainly produced by Chill Black and Mr. Laid, the other beatmakers are Reg, Race, T.C. and Big Quint. The guests are O.G. Kevi Kev, Pookie, Iyesha, Reg, T.M.S., Baldhead Rick, Big Vic, Primo, 11/5 and Cold World Hustlers.
The record is introduced over a good melody with O.G. Kevi Kev. "Rata-Tat-Boom" is the first real cut, and it comes over a sublime boom bap production, excellent, dry, hard drum, phat bass, good sample, punctual and powerful hardcore rapping of the performers, the realize one of the finest tracks of the tape. The third choice boasts an average uptempo beat a mild rap, with synths around the hook, it doesn't sound that well. "It's Goin' Down" seems like a ballad, then it has another uptempo rhythm: hard and dry drum machine, melodic synths that works well, fast piano keys in loop, Race, Reg and T.C. create a fresh soundscape for the fast rapping of the duo, with a rnb chorus by the guest Iyesha.
"Money Madd" is a robust track, good sample, honest production, the rap is fine. The title track presents exquisite synths that sound great even if a little bit shrimps, excellent dry harsh drum that beats, this kind of musical carpet it's the background for the powerful rap of Dig and Big Quint. The seventh choice is a posse with Reg and TMS that doesn't tell me anything. Race, Reg, and T.C. come back behind the keyboards in the next joint: uptempo production, some gloomy loops, solid synths, tidy rap. Chill Black and Mr. Laid are the beatmakers of "Dogday Afternoon": the soundscape is wonderful, they found synths surprisingly great that cloud the track, drums that beats trying to make its way through the thick warm fog created by the synths to guide the careful and velvety rapping of the performers, beautiful cut with positive mood and vibes.
11/5 is the guest of "Da City Was Made for Me". In the next joint, the producers invent one of the greatest rhythms of the edition: flawless drum, dark and sad piano, amazing synths, splendid loops, melancholic mood, dope rapping of the Frisco emcees. "Six Digit Figures" is a masterpiece cut: perfect midtempo drum, phat bass, heavenly loops, some of the greatest synths in the whole Bay Area are present in these four minutes, the soundscape created by Chill Black and Mr. Laid is beautiful. Over this sonic painting, the emcee are joined by fellow citizen group Cold World Hustlers, the rapping is powerful, smoothness, silky, unbelievable, even the chorus works, this is one of the finest track of the season.
From here on out the album seems infallible. "Brotha Luv" boasts a stunning, gorgeous beat, enchanting loops, midtempo dry drum machine, clean synths, the musical carpet is polished, the hook works, silky rap. The next cut has a uptempo rhythm, harsh drum, well-done samples, tight synths, good execution by the performers. "Taking da Roach Home" has solid synths, downtempo dry drum, Big Quint and Dig goes with a velvet rapping over this honest production. The last track is "Laide Made (Reminisce)", a ballad: great soundscape realized by Mr. Laid & Chill Black, robust bass, midtempo drum, melodic synths, regular rap. A outro closes the record.
Released by Dogday Records, the disk is one of the many admirable hidden gems in the hip-hop, lost in nineties. Surely one of the greatest [gangsta rap] tapes ever produced in the Bay, and one of the most solid of the 1995. 7.5/10.
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