MO' BETTER

Rip It Up, Issue 244, 1 December 1997, Page 26

MO' BETTER

IL beats jA

LLCOOL J (Something Like A) Phenomena (Polyram)

Jeez Louise, is there a better song on the radio right now than this one? Naw, I don’t think so. And there definitely ain’t no argument over the best video on TV right now either. The title track to his new album, this is classic LL — funky rhythms and sultry vocals. LL weaves his lyrics like a tapestry — pretty to look at on the surface butwhen you look closer you really understand the complexity. This is ‘just’ a song about LL proving what a bad ass he and his shortie are in bed, but damn if it ain’t all the way nasty. NAUGHTY BY NATURE Mourn You Til I Join You (Tommy Boy) Lest we forget. With all the recent eulogies for Biggie Smalls, NBN want to remind you that Tupac Shakur was also killed before his time. Rather than a quick cash-in immediately after his death, they’ve taken their time with this — and it shows. Very poignant heartfelt lyrics that really bring you close to the pain they feel at the passing of their friend. But rather than just a last hurrah for Tupac, this song

stands up on its own, both as a rap and as a song for anyone who’s lost someone.

VARIOUS ARTISTS Nothing To Lose Original Soundtrack (Tommy Boy)

From the new movie starring Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins, this is a good compilation in it’s own right. It starts out with some hip hop pop outings courtesy of Coolio (‘C U When U Get There’) and Li’l Kim (‘Not Tonight’), and then moves into slightly harder territory with Outkast (‘Everlasting’) and Eightball & MCJ (‘Not Tonight’). In amongst it are some new talents and old, such as Naughty By Nature (‘Nothin To Lose’), Queen Latifah (‘lt’s Alright’) and Quad City DJs (‘Route 69’), the latter a fine example of old school rapping circa 1982 (butfora true old school time warp check out Stetsasonic ‘Go Stetsa’ — fuk’n A!). The album has a good flow to it and the diverse tracks sit together well.

VARIOUS ARTISTS How To Be A Playa Original Soundtrack (Polygram)

Another good compilation from another ‘Afro American’ comedy. This

one also includes current hits from the likes of Foxy Brown (& Dru Hill) with ‘Big Bad Mama’, and Masta P’s ‘How To Be A Playa’, alongside old schoolers EPMD and Rick James (with Richie Rich). How To Be A Playa also has a good flow to it, featuring tracks by Redman, 2Pac, Junior M.A.F.1.A., and the marvellous ‘lt’s A Cold Day’ by Too Short and George Clinton.

JOE All That I Am (Liberation) This R&B slowjam shit ain’t really my bag, but being on the phone while it was playing it wasn’t half bad. Giving it a proper listen, there’s no denying JOE is extremely . good at his craft. His voice is superb and it’s matched by some slick production from himself (Joe Thomas) and Gerald Levert. His big hit, ‘Don’t Want to be a Playa’, is included here, and it’s a good indication of the album. This is sophisticated, adult orientated (and I don’t mean XXX) R&B. If you haven't figured out why playing, that gangsta drive-by bitch rap doesn’t get your lady juiced, then just play this instead and see the difference. . ETERNAL The Best Of (EMI) This is a bit cheeky isn’t it? Eternal have only put out three albums and already they’re compiling their best? Even more bizarre is that it was only

last month I was reviewing their current album Before The Rain, which actually included as a bonus disc their previous album, Power Of A . Woman. Oh well, this compilation includes the best of those two, plus some of the hits from their first album Stay (when Eternal used to be a four piece). I’m guessing this will kill sales of Before The Rain, but if you’re a fan of their luscious R&B style you won’t care. All the best songs are here. VARIOUS ARTISTS mixed by TONY DE VIT Trade (Flying In) Trade is a notorious gay nightclub in London, and like Ministry of Sound and Cream, an established ‘brand’. Hence the recent visit to Auckland by some of the Trade DJs, Not Tony De Vit though, cos he’s top dog in the UK club scene and too expensive. I’m also told that he’s not that indicative of the current Trade sound either, which is more funkier and lighter. What we have here is almost 90 minutes of hard, fast, banging house, smoothly mixed and definitely up for it. If you feel like e-ing off your tits at home then this is ideal. The track listing is reasonably current, and De Vit even includes one by himself to boost his royalties (watch Sample Gee do the same).

NICK D’ANGELO