Fourth effort for Dwight Myers & The Boyz, or Eddie Ferrell and Glen Parrish. The production of this album is diversified on several beatmakers, while the lyrics are written by Heavy D, and evolve from the positive mood of his previous tapes to a never explored wisdom, with some braggadocio deviations and on themes concerning girls, to whom he struggles to give up.
The record is poorly received by critics, does well in the pop and soul charts (top 10), despite being categorized as a hip-hop product, and also reaches the gold record certified by the RIAA a few months after its release. Hidden and obscured by his discography, it's possibly his best record, with some well thought out sections and a slightly commercial and easy middle part, born to raise a little money and sell records, clearly destined for the charts. It was recorded and delivered in 1992, but Uptown, which distributes the record together with MCA Records, only releases it in mid-January 1993.
"Truthful" is decent, intro, then jazzy sample to accompany the lean, slow, syncopated drum machine that makes up this decent boom bap, slow syncopated delivery, functional rnb hook with female sample, honest new jack cut. Follows "Who's the Man?", where a sometimes-uninspired Heavy D delivers syncopated and slow over a light and decent, simple jazzy boom bap, like the previous one made by Tony Dofat in production. The third song is produced by Skeff Anselm, and sees the rapper's usual delivery on a simple jazzy rhythm, with pounding drum. "Girl" is similar, it explores a different theme, but on a similar beat to the previous one, provided by Steely & Cleevie.
"It's a New Day" has a simple beat, it's made by Pete Rock but it doesn't feel like a Pete Rock production, skinny syncopated and heavy drum machine, heavy boom bap on which Heavy D delivers with its typical style. "Who's in the House" sees Tony Dofat returning behind keyboards, while Phat Doug is tasked with spicing up the whole project on a hardcore jazzy boom bap with lean, syncopated and powerful drum machine; functional hook with good jazzy bridge and female sample. "Love Sexy" has one of the simplest rhythms on the tape, jazzy boom bap with simple drum made by Pete Rock, the joint is ruined by a lame chorus.
The following track, produced by Jesse West, features a stunning background looped sample from a jazzy classic, aka "Darkest Light" by Lafayette Afro Rock Band, simple jazzy boom bap, perfect syncopated skinny drum machine, female soul sample looped in the background on the functional hook and smooth delivery faster than usual: excellent cut, among the best on the disc. It follows an elementary and cheap rhythm, again thanks to Jesse West, simple jazzy boom bap with skinny syncopated drum, precedes "Here Comes the Heavster", where the rapper provides a slow syncopated delivery on a simple, jazzy and slow boom bap, made by Premier.
The title track has a better beat than usual, perhaps the only good one made by Pete Rock here: hardcore boom bap with light jazzy vibes, lean heavy syncopated drum machine, Heavy D syncopated slow delivery, functional chorus with simple bridge and female sample light. The penultimate song is a light ballad produced by DJ Premier, it maintains a jazzy rhythm with minimal and slow syncopated skinny drum and a functional hook. Closes a huge posse, with 3rd Eye, The Notorious BIG, Busta Rhymes, Guru of Gang Starr and Rob-O: uninspired title, simple rhythm, Jesse West's light jazzy boom bap, cheerful intro, is one of the first appearances of Biggie in hip-hop.
Opens 3rd Eye with decent flowing syncopated delivery, then Guru, smooth, simple, effortless; Biggie Smalls' explosive delivery devastating the cut with his crackling voice and deadly inflamed, powerful flow. Rob-O brings with him a simple, decent, effortless and flowing style, he precedes Heavy D, who delivers worthily with a smooth flow, having fun; Busta Rhymes closes with a crazy verse, almost in a pre-ODB style, absurd. It marks Busta's solo debut and Biggie's one after just signing with Uptown Records. Interesting posse track pretty hidden within the musical genre. Overall, it's probably the best album Heavy D released during his career, it's accessible, there's some good tracks, there are a couple of slips, but in the end it's pretty discreet and livable.
Rating: 7/10.
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