CD debut for 1982 classic from Sugarhill. Packaged in a digipak. 8 tracks. 2002. Castle.
CD Reviews
Take An Old School Ride On The Wheels Of Steel!
Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 03/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel certainly broke the mold when they made 'The Message' and do note I AM SPEAKING OF THE ALBUM AS A WHOLE,not mearly the justly revered title number,the first known hip-hop reflection of urban decay.As far as the album goes 'The Message' is an eight song mix of classic early 80's DJ/rap breaks courtesy of Flash himself (notably on the classic "Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel"),old school 80's vocal funk and even two quality,smoochy ballads-one of whitch "Dreamin'" is a tribute to Stevie Wonder,a musical innovator whom the Furious Five evidently saw as a major influence."You Are" is actually an extremely well sung and performed ballad but I'm sure only a few Christian rappers will appreciate the song's highly religious lyrics.The albums first three songs "She's Fresh","It's Hot" the the excellent vocorder whipped "Scorpio" actually showcase pure 80's electro funk with ACTUAL SINGING rather then mearly rap.So 'The Message' album rounds out to be an all inclusive good time for funk,hip-hop and perhapes even pop fans alike-not only did it come early enough in the game to avoid rap's modern clishes of misogyny,homophobia and pure shock jockisms and focuses primarily on the artistry of the medium and when the do stand up to the lyrical challange of hip-hop Melle Mel and the gang don't take any prisoners-they speak purely of the plight of the world and not it's people.And that's the quality that makes this album such an honored,and deservad classic."
Must Have
Andre S. Grindle | 03/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had the original tape from 1982, and eventually the LP. Now that the vinyls gone, and the tape is wearing thin, I'm buying the CD to preserve one of the most important albums in hip hop, scratch that, music history!!!"
Good Set&a Classic Song
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 03/20/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"dig "Shes Fresh"&'Dreamin" but of course the Knock-out Jam is still "The Message" Which is a Hall Of Fame Jam in any era or time period.Still Arguably the Coldest, Tightest,&Rawest Jam to Come out of Hip-Hop over the past 20 Years Easily.this is Prime time Grandmaster Flash&the Furious Five."
Far more than just an old school rap album.
PFunkster | Iowa City, Iowa (USA) | 02/06/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the most important album from the last quarter of the twentieth century (1975 to 2000). I'm not exaggerating when I write that. It's more than just an early album from one of the first credible street rap groups. It's an album that captures both the first rap song that was about life on the streets (The Message) and the first recording of the phenomenon known as the DJ scratch (The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel). The influence of both of these songs cannot be stressed enough. It's also filled with other gems like It's Nasty, She's Fresh and It's A Shame (Mt Airy Groove). It would actually be worth getting this CD for those three songs alone but the overall importance of this album, The Message and The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel are phenomenal. Its influence can be felt across the spectrum of modern music. If you appreciate modern music and the history that led to it's development, this CD is a must have. It's a shame (pun not intended) that this album isn't usually shown the great respect that it deserves."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1