88th Street Blues - Smokey Wilson

Advantages: Street Life's spectacular lyricism is stellar like A STAR and IS BORN within each song.
Disadvantages: Filler songs with atrocious beats that make my ears HUNG in THESE hideous STREETS!

...English violin notes that have a 17th century vibe. The violin sample is minimal and plays in a formal fashion and in my opinion, I feel it is above average as it grabs my attention. However, when it comes to fitting the hardcore, rapping style that Street Life has to offer, Sector 5's quality of producing is questionable on track 10. Rating: 6/10 11. THE O.G. & YOUNG HUSTLER (2:27 min) (Note: Although Why is not credited on this album, he is featured on this track.) Well maybe I underestimated Fantom of the beats as a potential beat-maker. This time around in chapter 11, Fantom of the beats lurks in the background, delivering his best production on his fourth attempt. Yes believe it or not Ciao readers and rap listeners, this is one of the best beats on 'Street Education' in my opinion. The production... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Some decent rhythm and blues
Disadvantages: Film dialogue in the wrong places

...for such a classic track. The big names of 1960s soul music keep coming, with Eddie Floyd and Wilson Pickett performing "634-5789", which was originally a hit for Wilson Pickett, but was written by Eddie Floyd. I think they missed a trick by not including the dialogue over the intro that is in the film, but this minor concern apart, this is a great upbeat and mid-tempo soul number. It doesn't quite have the edge of some of Pickett's other song, seeming a bit smoother than "In the Midnight Hour" for example, but it's got a couple of great soul voices on it and it's a great tune and would probably be my favourite on the album, if it wasn't for the next track. From the first time I heard it, Blues Traveler's "Maybe I'm Wrong" has become one of my favourite songs ever, not just in the film and I've bought several of their albums since. Indeed, had... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Interesting idea
Disadvantages: Not classic Hayward; repetitive

...others. There is however a heavy sense of ‘sameness’ about the tracks. This is not an album to sit through easily at one sitting. By the mid way point you are yearning for something of Justin’s own song writing ability, some sort of counterpoint – a fast paced rocker, or gentle romantic ballad. Listen to his own solo albums for comparison. The following is the running order with my own assessment of each track (marked out of five) 1. The Tracks Of My Tears *** This is the Smokey Robinson standard divested of any Tamla Motown sound. Not bad, but – The better alternative arrangement is by Bryan Ferry. He seemed to perform his own compositions when playing with Roxy Music and everybody else’s on his solo albums. 2. McArthur Park **** This one does suit Justin’s voice. The orchestral arrangement is not that different from... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful