Great underrated early rappers
Andre M. | Mt. Pleasant, SC United States | 12/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Funky 4+1 More holds a fond place in the hearts of those of us who remember when rap actually started. The Funky 4 specialized in a harmony-singsongy kind of rap to the popular tunes of the day, while Sha-Rock (Sharah Greene, the "Plus one More") was the first female rapper of note and a class act at that.
In either case, "That's the Joint" is a brilliant (if overlong like most early rap records) take on Taste of Honey's "Rescue Me." At the end of the tune, the FF+1 gives "shout outs" to all of their labelamtes on Sugarhill records, perhaps the first recording of that kind of thing. "Rappin and Rocking The House" (with Pumpkin & Friends performing Cheryl Lynn's "Got to Be Real" in the background) is a great example of their harmonizing style, and Sha-Rock's routine in this tune is mind-blowing. On "Do You Wanna Rock," our heroes (and heronie) tackle Frankie Beverly's "Before I Let Go." Aside from the clever raps and fine delivery, we also get to hear Sha-Rock sing a solo in the middle of the tune! Sheer bliss!
Sadly, the FF+1 broke up all too early in their career, and this CD, the only current collection of their work, gives us a wistful look at the direction rap might have taken. But we can still be thankful for this. Listen and enjoy!"
"This is the joint!!"
"Old Skool" Ran-Dee | "Da' Bronx" | 08/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The original "FUNKY FOUR" MC's have been rockin' n' shockin' Bronx parties and jams since '78. Since their days at ENJOY recs., they've been serving nothing else but classic after classic after classic!! Although their recording career was some what short ('79-'82), with in that short period of time, every thing they put out was literally "the joint"! Lil' Rodney C & K.K. Rockwell would later on become "DOUBLE TROUBLE" and make a memorable appearance on the classic Hip-Hop film "WILD-STYLE". and in '85, Jazzy Jeff would score with the single "KING-HEROIN". But this compilation captures the "SUGARHILL" era and sound that we all love and miss. This CD is a "sho'nuff-sure shot"! Ooh, that's the joint!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1