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The 90's: What did YOU sleep on? - Page 2

© Steve Juon

4. Count Bass-D - Pre Life Crisis

This 1995 release was poorly promoted, badly distributed, and suffered a most egregious fate considering that MusicLand's in store magazine "Request" had picked him as a musician to look out for. They weren't wrong - the Tennessee resident showcased a whole new brand of hip-hop that Arrested Development never dreamed about. From the funky styles of "Sandwiches" in which good lovin is like pickles and onions to the humerous "T-Boz Tried to Talk to Me", this brother definitely had it goin on. He's come back on the indie scene in 1999 with some hot white label shit, but the debut album is not for sleeping on. It's smooth, soothing, warm, funny, flavorful, and fresh.

5. L'Roneous Da Versifier - Imagniarium

Once in a generation, a rapper comes along to expand the boundaries of what rap music is supposed to be. L'Roneous is one of those rappers - a man who builds entire worlds of thought constructed in word and then dares us to follow him through. He tackles shameless sellouts, offers prayers for a world without racism, and constructs a space for freestyle rappers that has "No Limitations". Parts jazzy, parts hardcore, and parts soul are stirred in equal measure into each song. One of the best is the title track, in which the flute and drums wander away from the track and leave us alone for over a minute with L'Roneous as his voice leads us along and focuses attention on his powerful words and rhythmic voice. You may have a hard time finding this 1998 release, but it's definitely worth the effort.

Peace, Flash

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