Real Live "The Turnaround" (The Source, 9/96)

Larry O and K-Def of Real Live are by no means strangers to the rap game. Though you might only know them from their "Real Live Shit" single, they've been together on and off since 1988. In that time Larry O did a stint with BDP while K-Def honed his mixing and production skills under the tutelage of Marley Marl. On their debut LP, The Turnaround, it's obvious that these are two seasoned hip-hop veterans: Larry O rhymes from the perspective of a hardened OG who's seen and done it all, while K-Def provides flawlessly constructed musical arrangements to bolster Larry's tales of ghetto strife. K-Def's production formula works mostly off of big bass bumps, moody string arrangements and expert scratching... Every track on The Turnaround showcases a chemistry as tight as any DJ/rapper team... Unfortunately, the album does fall off a bit on the B side... Overall, The Turnaround is a solid debut. Larry O and K-Def display a wisdom and maturity that is rare in these days of shorty hustlers and pre-pubescent MCs. They have proven themselves to be tried and true hip-hop warriors who should not be slept on. - The Source, 9/96. You can listen to the LP below...

Full album review in The Source + Real Live sticker... below.

Lords of the Underground "Keepers of the Funk" (12/94)

"On their follow up to a gold-selling debut, The Lords of the Underground unveil crisper, more disciplined voices and flows. Last time around, on Here Come The Lords, they seemed to be trying to appease the 'grimy' or Das EFX contingent, and got over on the strength of a collection of solid Marley Marl tracks. For Keepers..., they delete some of their more non-accessible attributes and concentrate on streamlining their image. Some of the songs sound like album filler, but ... are in the minority. "Ready Or Not" combines a gritty Old School feel with a seductive jazz piano that's just right for a night ride. "Tic Toc," with three-chord vibes, a relaxed swing beat and a nifty Slick Rick sample, swings like a pendulum. For platinum-selling poseurs, adequate disses; for impetuous newjacks, a short pre-deal biography that emphasizes the hardships of their hungry demo-tape days." Check out the video to Lords Of The Underground's gem, "What I'm After," cont'd below...

"The superior "Steam From Da Knot" and "What I'm After" both offer relentless beats, atmospheric jazz fusions and surgically-precise scratches. For "Special Guest," they dust off James Brown grunts, add reverb and bounce them all over instantly enjoyable "Top Billin"-like beats. The album's surprise, "Faith," is as gospel as any hardcore group maintaining street credibility can be. Over the smooth riff used on Mic Geronimo's "Real," the Lords offer praise to their deity: "I place all my faith in God cause God'll never leave me... believe me" ... While a bit uneven on side two, and more than a little trendy, Keepers Of The Funk does manage to avoid the sophomore jinx. It brings a handful of addictive grooves..." - The Source, December 1994 ... You can save a full copy of the review below...