Chuck ( Carlton Ridenhour ) D, Flava ( William Drayton ) Flav, and the other members of Public Enemy worked the name of their band for all it was worth.
PE produced some of the most political and radical rhymes in the history of hip-hop and rap, and 11 of their most revolutionary tracks have been collected on The Best Of Public Enemy ( Def Jam ) . Beginning with "Welcome To The Terrordome" and "911 Is A Joke" and back to their groundbreaking early cuts "Bring The Noise" and "Don't Believe The Hype," this best-of compilation opens with four of PE's best numbers. You will also find "Fight The Power" ( from Spike Lee's movie Do The Right Thing ) , the B-side "By The Time I Get To Arizona" ( PE's statement on the governor of Arizona's refusal to celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday as a national holiday ) , "Night Of The Living Baseheads," and "Bring Tha Noize"-- PE's collaboration with Anthrax on this all-too-brief compilation.
While Public Enemy, and a multitude of other artists focused their creative energy on more serious issues, there were others who created a party atmosphere through hip-hop. Waxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits ( Delicious Vinyl/Rhino ) features 15 tracks by several of those kinds of artists. Tone Loc ( "Wild Thing" and "Funky Cold Medina" ) and Young MC exemplify that party spirit ( "Bust A Move" and "Know How" ) . However, even more melodic musical groups such as The Brand New Heavies, featuring N'Dea Davenport, maintain a celebratory level on the songs "Never Stop," and their biggest hit "Dream On Dreamer."
If PE's message was delivered in a forceful and straightforward style, Das EFX layered theirs in a kind of jibber-jabberish. Their biggest hit "They Want EFX" is the centerpiece of The Very Best of Das EFX ( Elektra Traditions/Rhino ) , which includes "Freakit," "Mic Checka," "Real Hip Hop," and 11 others.
British hip-hop artist Tricky covered "Black Steel," a Public Enemy song, on his 1995 breakthrough disc Maxinquaye. After a few years on Island Records, Tricky released an album last year on the independent L.A.-based punk label Anti and has returned to the major-label fold with his latest album Blowback ( Hollywood ) . Even though it doesn't have the freshness of Maxinquaye or Pre-Millennium Tension, Blowback does have its moments. Most surprising are "Evolution Revolution Love" which was co-written by and features Ed Kowalczyk ( of Live ) on vocals, the eerie "Five Days" which was co-written by Cyndi Lauper and also features her on vocals, and covers of "Your Name" and Nirvana's "Something In The Way." Most disappointing is "#1 Da Woman" with Flea and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers as musical guests.
Scapegoat Wax has a certifiable hit on their hands. "Aisle 10 ( Hello Allison ) " is in heavy rotation on MTV2 and is even popping up on the radio. Okeeblow ( Grand Royal ) , Scapegoat Wax's full-length debut disc is the antithesis of Eminem. It's good-natured, clever, warm and as catchy as a summer cold. Marty James combines elements of Beastie Boys and Uncle Kracker to create his own worthwhile sound as you can hear on "Crawling," "Eardrum," "Space To Share," "Party Of One," "Perfect Silence," and "Revenge Of The Dope Fiend Beat." An impressive debut by a talent to watch.
On The Very Best of MC Lyte ( Rhino/Atlantic ) , female hardcore hip-hop heroine MC Lyte represents for her gender with some of the most direct and dizzying rhymes ever committed to disc. With crossover success on both the R&B and pop charts, MC Lyte is as much a precursor of Li'l Kim as she is a forebear of Missy Elliott. This compilation includes early cuts such as "10% Dis" and "I Cram To Understand U" ( from 1988 ) , "Shut The Eff Up! ( Hoe ) " and "Cha Cha" ( from 1989 ) , "Poor Georgie" ( from 1991 ) and "Ruffneck" ( from 1993 ) , and her biggest and best known hits "Keep On, Keepin' On" and "Cold Rock A Party" ( both from 1996 ) .
Sugar Ray still incorporates elements of hip-hop into their songs, even though they have become more of a pop band. They still incorporate the turntable work of DJ Homicide and they even make reference to Run DMC in the song "Under The Sun" on their latest self-titled album ( Lava/Atlantic ) . Cover-boy-gorgeous frontman Mark McGrath has come a long way since he posed in a jockstrap on an early Sugar Ray album and seems to be comfortable in the role of sex symbol. Now that they are hit makers, with a rock-'n-roll edge, their fan-base will be happy to know that in addition to the current single "When It's Over," songs such as "Ours," "Stay On," "Words To Me," and the downright country style of "Just A Little," will keep the hits coming.
Believe it or not, it was 1992 when Stereo MC's first burst onto the domestic music scene with their perspective on the hip-hop dance scene and their huge hit single "Connected." Nine years later, they have released the follow-up disc Deep Down & Dirty ( Island ) . I need to listen to it a few more times to tell if you whether or not it was worth such a long wait. However, I will tell you that, like Sugar Ray, they continue to incorporate elements of hip-hop ( scratching, sampling ) into their distinctive and rhythmic sound. Recommended numbers include the title track, "We Belong In This World Together," "Running," "Sofisticated," and "The Right Effect."
Tha Liks ( formerly known as Tha Alkaholiks ) pay homage to Jimi Hendrix on the cover to their album X.O. Experience ( Loud/Columbia ) . Guest artists include Busta Rhymes, Xzibit, and Shae Fiol to name a few. Tha Liks celebrate debauchery ( "Bar Code," "Run Wild," "Da Da Da Da," "Sickness," and "Another Round" ) , but it sounds like their tongues are planted so deeply into their cheeks that they'll probably leave a dent.
The spirit is in it
As someone without a religion, it is sometimes difficult to approach religious music. For example, I can appreciate the sound of gospel music: the exalting voices and the fervor. However, I wish they were singing about something around which I could wrap my brain. The exclusivity of the music is also troubling-- and don't get me started on who gets into heaven and who doesn't. Still, gospel music's influence on popular and secular music, exemplified in singers such as Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, is an unavoidable fact. Gospel music has even found its way into queer night clubs and circuit parties during the last few years with spiritually inflected dance tunes.
With that said, I want to talk about a few CDs that are religious in nature, but that can also be enjoyed on a purely artistic level. The late Mahalia Jackson could raise the roof of many a church, concert hall and recording studio, as you can hear on Sunday Morning Prayer Meeting with Mahalia Jackson ( Columbia/ Legacy/Gospel Spirit ) . This 14- track compilation features seven previously unavailable recordings, including the subtle, yet dramatic "Trouble In My Way," live recordings of "Elijah Rock" and "Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho" ( both recorded in France ) , and "I'm Grateful," to name a few. Familiar Jackson gospel numbers such as "Down By The Riverside," "Standing Here Wondering Which Way To Go," and "How I Got Over," have the potential to have even the most dyed in the wool heathens raising their hands and testifying. You can also hear, without a doubt, Jackson's influence on the vocal style of Aretha Franklin, Whitney and mom Cissy Houston.
Mahalia exemplified the glory of the solo gospel singer. Gospel also benefits from many voices as anyone who has ever heard a gospel choir can attest. Go Down, Moses: Tracing the Roots of the African-American Spiritual ( Chicago a cappella Records ) features 16 African-American spirituals performed by the nine-member male and female vocal ensemble Chicago a cappella. Like Jackson, Chicago a cappella also does a spirited version of "Elijah Rock." Other heavenly songs include "Steal Away," "Hush! Somebody's callin' my name," "Oh, Freedom!," and the traditional arrangement of the title song.
Peace and tranquility can also be found in many of the world's other religions. For example, we all know someone who has discovered the serenity of Buddhism, who finds inner peace through chanting or meditating. "Inspired by the story of Buddha's enlightenment," Riley Lee uses the shakuhachi flute ( long associated with Japanese Buddhist monks ) to perform 10 original compositions on Buddha's Dream: music for meditation ( Narada ) . Originally released in 1984, at the height of the New Age music phenomenon, this reissue has a timelessness that is both spiritual and soothing.
