Search - Rough House Survivors :: Straight From the Soul

A Lost Classic "Straight From the Soul"

buggin out | 10/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A while back, I decided to dig deep for quality hip hop albums that made it past me. I had basically all the acknowledged classics, but I had a feeling I had to have missed a few along the way. One of the first I came upon was Rough House Survivors-Straight From the Soul. I picked it up, mostly because it was very cheap ($2) and it came from one of hip hop's most reliable years (1992). I was hoping for a solid album. I got far more->a near-classic.



The whole album feels very familiar. The MCs have a great chemistry, trading rhymes like Brand Nubian or Leaders of the New School. All have considerable energy and skill. The production, handled mostly by Tony Dofat, plays like that of a lost Pete Rock and CL Smooth record. Each track is full of subtle organ and horn samples. These familiar styles and sounds are surprisingly melded into a very fresh and original album.



The album has only ten tracks. While this makes for a frustratingly short album, it also makes for great quality control. The album is uniformly strong from start to finish. "So! Survivors, We Can Rhyme", is one of the best tracks of the era. The guest spots are all on point: CL Smooth ("Can U Dig It"), Sadat X ("We Come to Get Wreck"), and Grand Puba (guesting AND producing "Stick Da Butt Out").



The only track I don't love on the album is "Rough House". The MCs are nice on the mic, but the beat is kind of bland, and the chorus is halfhearted ragamuffin effort. "Check Da Back Pack" resumes prior quality level, and the rest of the album does not disappoint.



"Straight From the Soul" is an excellent hip hop album made in NYC at its peak. People have been sleeping on this album for years. If you feel early 90s hip hop, or good music in general, do yourself a favor and pick up this album right away. It will only run you a few dollars, and it doesn't disappoint. Great stuff here. {4.5 stars}"