March 03, 2015

Smif-N-Wessun "Dah Shinin" (Rap Pages, 3/95)


"The generals of Bucktown's Boot Camp Clik, Smif-N-Wessun are no one-hit wonders. Ever since debuting on Black Moon's seminal Enta Da Stage, and following their "Bucktown" anthem (easily one  of the biggest crowd-movers in recent memory), Steele and Tek's full-length joint has been eagerly awaited by roughnecks everywhere. Dah Shinin' doesn't disappoint, lightening up the spot from beginning to end with solid cut after cut. The 1-2-3 combination punch of "Wrektime," "Wontime," and "Wreckonize" gets the album going, but it's the ragga-flavored "Sound Bwoy Buriel," featuring Black Moon's Buckshot, that delivers the knockout blow. Relentless grooves wallop ears in this threatening testament to all those suckas at the show. The album's other posse cut, "Cession at the Doghouse," features O.G.C. (Originl Gun Clappaz) and Heltah Skeltah, with Buckshot delivering the chorus like Method Man on the Wu's Da Mystery of Chessboxin'." Peep the visuals to "Sound Bwoy Bureill" ...


"Hellucination," which freaks a fly Minnie Riperton bassline sample and the infamous "Bucktown" drum track, is lyrically the strongest track on the album. "Home Sweet Home" uses the same "We Live In Brooklyn" Roy Ayers classic that's on Digable Planets' latest, but Steele and Tek give it a decisively more hardcore touch. "P.N.C. (Partners 'N' Crime)," the album's finale, is Smif-N-Wessun's "together forever" tribute to fallen friend Sean Grady. Produced exclusively by Da Beatminerz (Mr. Walt, Evil Dee and newcomer Baby Paul), Dah Shinin' establishes Smif-N-Wessun as legitimate artists who took the lead of mentors Black Moon and pushed a distinct New York sound to new heights." - Rap Pages, March 1995. You can save a copy of the Rap Pages album review below... Peace to the BCC.