Search - Lords of the Underground :: Keepers of the Funk

My favorite Lords album -- again by ignorance

Patrick G. Varine | Georgetown, Delaware | 12/22/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not sure why I haven't bought the other Lords of the Underground albums yet. I just haven't gotten around to it. But this is a really good album. The Lords all have a nice flow despite kind of all sounding the same.Marley Marl and K-Def of Real Live do most of the production, with the Lords handling the rest, and it's all done very well. Marl bangs out the beginning with the piano-laced "Ready or Not," and the bell-ringing "Tic Toc."George Clinton shows up --barely -- on the mediocre "Keepers of the Funk," and Lord Jazz rolls solo on the driving "Steam from Da Knot.""What I'm After" rides a sweet horn loop lifted from another Newark, NJ native, Redman. But the Lords put a nice spin on it, rhyming "I'm after the gold/And after that the platinum/Hip-hop and props/That's what we're after."Uptempo tracks characterize the album, and the MCs' flow does the production justice. This is definitely an album worth picking up."

I wish hiphop could still KEEP this kind of FUNK!!

gavin redmond | rep of ireland | 02/06/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For the follow up to their highly popular debut "Here comes the lords" the Jersey trio pretty much kept the same formula. Funky beats curtosy of Marley Marl and K-Def and lace them with quickfire fun filled rhymes. Its always been the Lords recipe over their 3 albums. Whereas their debut was somewhat harder and grittier this time its abit more polished sounding. With only 11 tracks plus an intro and outro its alot shorter than the 1st. It also shows a more mature and party orientated angle. The 1st full track "Ready or not" is probably one of their best throughout their entire careers. A high tempo beat backed by a funky bassline, manic hi-hats and horns, it sets the album off perfectly. Next is "Tic-Toc", which was the 1st single, which is so catchy that you will definitely be singing along by the 2nd chorus. After the brilliantly funkadelic influenced "Keepers of the Funk" we're treated to a rare solo track from Doitall called "Steam from da knot", a dark hard hitting joint that he tears down beautifully. Then we get the 2nd single from the album "What Im After". As another reviewer said its a beautiful jazzy number sampling Redman's "Tonite's the nite" joint. "Faith" is the 1st official track that the Lords produced themselves and its excellent. "Neva Faded", "No Pain" and "Frustrated" are all dark tracks that show the groups mentality back in '94 with how their lives had changed since they got signed and what ways they've evolved. The album ends with the last 2 cuts "Yes Y'all" and "What U See" and these are the definition of head nodders. Smooth basslines, deep hard beats and horn samples mixed to perfection. Overall this album still hits alot of intended targets even nearly 13years later. Vital ingredient to the mid 90's boombap explosion."

Lords of the Underground - Keepers of the Funk

M.C. Ol' Skool | from the old school | 06/18/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In case you forgot, Lords of the Underground were the ones who brought us the hit, "Chief Rocka". And they won't let you forget that, either. Throughout this album, they refer to that song, never wanting to let go of past glory. They also have a tendency to tell "yo mama" jokes in their rhymes, which can get frustrating as well. But the beats are dope enough to get your attention, especially on the highlight, "What I'm After", which samples fellow Jersey native Redman's "Tonight's Da Night" (he appeared in the video for this song)."