WTF ??
William Buckland | Music World | 05/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Now a Re-Release? I just bought the original on ebay last fall for over $100 and now its gets re-released with a 2 CD packe with remixes for under $20, wtf? This is upsetting to me. But anyways, great album "Letf Me Lonely" is Classic!
"
Classic Golden Age Hip Hop from MC Shan
Hype Currie | Detroit, Michigan United States | 05/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Shawn Moltke, a.k.a. MC Shan, was an aspiring hip-hop MC from New York City, who grew up in the now-infamous Queensbridge housing projects. Hooking up with cousin Marlon Williams (a.k.a. DJ Marley Marl), they produced a string of singles for the indie Prism label which led to a recording contract for a full album from Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros. Records. The results are contained here in Shan's first full-length LP, "Down By Law". Needless to say, Shan was affiliated with the loose-knit rap collective The Juice Crew, and his aggressive style brought him into conflict with the rap group Boogie Down Productions, who quickly became the Bronx-based regional rivals to the Queens-centric Juice Crew.
The new Traffic archival release, "Down By Law" has all the early, pre-album singles by MC Shan, like "Jane, Stop this Crazy Thing", Left Me Lonely", "Kill that Noise", and the undisputed classic "The Bridge". The 2-disc set (30 cuts deep!) also includes an almost overwhelming amount of bonus material in the form of numerous 12"-inch/EP alternate takes, remixes, and rare recordings like radio freestyles and live-in-concert recordings.
Pros:
Marley Marl's production was pioneering in hip-hop, one of the first to make extensive use of the then-available sampling technology of such machines as the TR-808 and SP-1200. Drum, bass and horn licks from the likes of James Brown and more can be heard here for the "first" time. MC Shan is a capable rapper succeeding more as a storyteller, though he has capable freestyles and battle-raps. With his Queens allegiance, Kangol cap and pin-up good looks, he was kind of a lesser-known LL Cool J. Surprisingly, Shan lays his substance abuse issues bare with "Cocaine".
Cons:
The romantic sentiments of "Left Me Lonely" are short-circuited by the sexism of "Jane..." and "Project Ho" (both about women who can't give up a sex/drug fix). Given that Shan's follow-up albums, "Born to be Wild" and "Play it Again, Shan" failed to have the same commercial impact as his debut, "Down By Law" is virtually his defining artistic statement, especially when you consider the bonus material. Only MC Shan completists should look further.
Overall Rating: A-
1. Jane, Stop This Crazy Thing
2. Project 'Ho
3. The Bridge
4. Kill That Noise
5. Down By Law
6. Left Me Lonely
7. Another One To Get Jealous Of
8. M.C. Space
9. Living In The World Of Hip Hop
10. Marley Marl Scratch (12" Version)
11. Marley Marl Scratch (12" Dub)
12. Marley Marl Scratch (Demo # 1)
13. Marley Marl Scratch (Demo # 2)
14. The Bridge (Original 12" Version)
15. The Bridge (A Capella)
16. Beat Biter
17. Dub Biter
18. Jane, Stop This Crazy Thing
19. Jane, Stop This Crazy Thing (Dub)
20. Cocaine (12" Vocal Version)
21. Cocaine (12" Live Version)
22. Down By Law (12" Remix)
23. Down By Law (12" Edit)
24. Dub By Law
25. He Cuts So Fresh (12" Version)
26. He Cuts So Fresh (Instrumental)
27. Left Me Lonely (Remix)
28. MC Shan and Biz Markie (Live)
29. MC Shan Live (88.9 Rap Explosion)
30. Jesse Jess MC Shan Mastermix
"
Certifed Classic!
Christopher | New Haven, CT | 09/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although done on BS studio quipment, with this album, people can finally see what MC Shan was about! The origianl album only gave you a taste. I think they did not believe in puttin on older singles back then, so they left them off. They seem to have most cust that are known, buuuut...
...They did leave off "Another One To Get Jealous Of(remix)!" That would have made this perfect! Hell, maybe that was just a Marley Marl exclusive not meant to be heard."