"The Message" is the debut EP from one of the legendary Hip Hop group (the first of this genre to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame), Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. The EP came as a result of the popularity of their single "The Message", which went out a very different message from what Hip Hop was about at the time, 1982.
The group consists of Grandmaster Flash, the DJ, and the MCs: Melle Mel, Kid Creole, Cowboy (now deceased), Scorpio and Rahiem, who do all of the vocals for the recording. These were some of the pionners in the genre and created staple phrases which were heard during most Hip Hop tracks of the time, and Cowboy of the group is known for inventing the term 'Hip Hop' after immitating the marching of soldiers in a scat style, and prior o this the genre of music was simply called 'Disco Rap'. Had it stayed like this, it wouldn't have allowed for tracks like "The Message", which go on a new angle to what the foundations of it concentrated on.
1. She's Fresh
The sample of "It's Just Begun" by The Jimmy Castor Bunch sets the scene and gets you in the mood to party,
as this is what this album is about. It is an exciting and jazzy track by the group who decide to get the listener moving with lots of of repettive lines and then some big breaks, which are announced with a remade version of Kurtis Blow's 1980 verison.
**Four Stars**
2. It's Nasty
Thsis one is based upon the funky "Genius of Love" by the Tom Tom Club, and from here they come out with an amazing party track which has them rap in the style which was extremly popular at the time as they rap in tune one line at a time before saying one line all together. It's one of the most biggest dance tracks on the EP, buit as it lasts over seven minutes I have to say that I did lose concentration at times.
**Five Stars**
3. Scorpio
I expect that this was as recorded shortyl after the release of Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock", as it uses the Electro-Funk style which he pionnered with that single in 1982. usually I don''t enjoy listening to robotic raps like this, but as the production suits it so well and I feel immersed in the music, it seems right here.
**Four Stars**
4. It's A Shame
At the start of this one as you hear a sample of "Mt. Airy Groove" by Pieces of a Dream, who expect it to break down int a big Hip Hop tune, but it turns out to be the first of three songs from the group. However, unlike the others which follow it, the group sound stupidly poor when attempting to emulate the sound of Stevie Wonder's singing.
**One Stars**
5. Dreamin'
Oh no. When you hear this one you simply won't believe it. You would never have a track like this in Hip Hop today as it is a song dedicted to Stevie Wonder, but it's not this whch is so funny about it, it's the lyrics which have them toalking about their dreams of winning over his love. (?) Give this material to 50 Cent.
**Two Stars**
6. You Are
Here is another song by the group, and it is very unexpected, but they are surprisingly strong on the vocals here, but as I didn't expect to get itno some R&B on the album, I didn't really want this Furious Five remake of "You Are (So Beautiful)", where referring to God.
**Two Stars**
7. The Message
This debut single uncovered the dreary underworld which had yet to be revelaed to the world, and finally as Hip Hop had built up so much momentum since comign out into the mainstream in 1979, it was time to show the world how poverty-stricken some areas of New York were at the time, and as everyone was finally able to listen, with such a style of music whcih lended itself to actual speech, they could say exactly what it's like.
As all Hip Hop prior to this consisted of a mulitiude of party tunes, this was quite radical and lyrical, so at the time it caused many to actual listen to the words of the first conscious Hip Hop track. It's a classic for the genre, and you can't deny the power of it.
**Five Stars**
8. The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel
This is a bonus track on the album and it is a mega-mix of all the biggest Hip hop singles up to that time, with "Rapper's Delight", "Apache", and "Monster Jam" all included. It's the most exciting track which you will here from the time with so many classics, however it sounds quite unprofessional compared with todays's standards, but as he was the pioneer DJ with two decks rather than a single one, you can understand it.
Most of it based around the rhythm of Chic's "Good Times", but it also goes into other important melodies from the time such as "Another One Bites The Dust", whcih was used just as much around this period.
**Five Stars**
Theere is such a range in this album that it's difficult to rate it as you have some of the best tracks in Hip Hop history in "The Message" and "It's Nasty", and then you have some painful ballards too which make it very difficualt to appreciate. However, I think that the quality of the hits from them out-weighs the annoyingly poor songs in the middle. It is an essential, but if you want to hear quality, then you are best getting a Greatest Hits rather than this.
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