Black Mask [EXPLICIT LYRICS] [SOUNDTRACK] [IMPORT]

Original Soundtrack (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 27, 2004)
• Original Release Date: May 18, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics, Soundtrack, Import
• ASIN: B0000275EX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #412,356 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The plot of Black Mask revolves around a group of superhuman fighters (the 701 Squad) who feel no pain; Jet Li, the renegade good guy, must defeat the rest of his former comrades. Similarly, the soundtrack for the film is filled with a host of hip-hop tracks with little feeling invested; the few renegades here are those who invest something in their songs, but they're greatly outnumbered. Our heroes include DITC (Digging in the Crates), whose "Get Yours" could have fit in with the classic funky tracks on the Brand New Heavies' Heavy Rhyme Experience: Vol. 1 compilation; Natural Elements, who bring an underground flow to "Live It Up"; Council, who are nice and smooth on "We're on Top of Thangs"; and Screwball, who makes good use of the DJ Premier-produced "F.A.Y.B.A.N." Everlast's cameo is nothing to write home about, though, and neither is this soundtrack. Let's hope Jet Li fares better in the film. --Randy Silver

Product Description
Soundtrack featuring 16 tracks from the likes of the 701 Squad, Natural Elements, Deadly Snakes, Crooked Lettaz feat. Noreaga, & more. Tommy Boy. 1999.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars My workout music., September 12, 2007

By	Charles M. Kondek "charliekkendo" (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Black Mask (Audio CD)

Couple of clarifications, right up front: the movie version that made its way to the U.S. was awful, worthy perhaps of its cult status, and I too was seeking the music in the film when I purchased this. Also, I am not the biggest hip-hop fan: I like rap, a lot, but don't know underground, above-ground, this scene or that scene.

That said, this album has consistently been one of my favorites ever since I bought it, especially for workout purposes. I always run to this and sometimes hit the bag to this. You can't hear the 701 Squad intro and not get a little bit psyched, IMO, for a killer workout. I heartily endorse this record.

3.0 out of 5 stars Some good material dragged down by bad..., March 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Mask (Audio CD)

Actually, I wanted to give this CD a 2.5-star rating, but I can't, so I was nice and gave it three instead.

This is a very ruff-sounding soundtrack of mostly underground artists that will appeal only to the most hardcore rap afficionados. Unlike most rap soundtracks, there isn't a single track on this CD intended as a radio or club tune; it's all ill underground New York stuff intended for those who like street-style rap. So don't even consider buying it if you've never heard of Big L, Jigmastas, or Deadly Snakes. That said, even if you are a hardcore rap fan, there is still some questionable material on this CD.

What's surprising, in my opinion at least, is that a lot of the better material is only heard towards the end of the CD, whereas most of the earlier tracks are poor in comparison. The album gets off to a bad start with the all-star collaboration 'We're Takin' It All', featruing Royce Da 5'9" and Diamonds-N-Da-Ruff. It comes off sounding too cheesy to be taken seriously. The album does, however, gain back a bit of ground with the smooth Natural Elements' 'Live It Up'. Next up is by far the illest song on the album - Deadly Snakes' 'Wild West' - which, despite its cliched title, is an absolutely banging street track that will definitely capture your ears.

After 'Wild West', however, the CD again descends into a series of tracks that range from 'aiight' to downright [bad]. Big L (RIP) delivers on DITC's 'Get Yours', but he's done far better than this, and I'm sure his fans would want far better. 'Killin' Spree' by Defari fails to catch your ears at all. The CD gains ground again with DV Alias Kurst's 'The Attack Is On' with its ill, action-flowing beat, but his lyrics and delivery can be painful to listen to at times. The 'downright [bad]' description most certainly applies to the next four tracks, 'We're On Top Of Thangs' by Council, 'Fires In Hell' by Half-A-Mil, 'Who You Lovin' by Cardan, and 'F.A.Y.B.A.N.' by Screwball (the latter has a good Premier-produced beat, but the HORRIBLE chorus will make you skip ahead immediately).

Fortunately, after this long selection of poor material, the CD comes back with a vengeance, starting with the grooved-out 'Pimpin' by Willie Stubz. Everlast as usual delivers on 'Painkillers', a surprisingly vivid track. Perhaps one of the tightest-sounding songs on the album is next - Jigmastas' 'Last Will and Testimony'. With its laid-back delivery and simple but smooth-flowing beat, this is a song that will be bangin' on your stereo for a long time to come. Finally, the CD wraps up with the very hardcore-sounding (it's name tells it all) 'Heavy Metal, Part 2' by Bigfoot, more good car stuff.

Overall, this is a CD that could have been better if not dragged down by so much poor-to-average quality material. It's only for the die-hard B-boys, and even then, it may be a tough decision. Now, the only question is, what do any of the songs on this album have to do with genetically-enhanced supersoldiers in Hong Kong?

3.0 out of 5 stars Got da bounce, March 17, 2000

By	Michael Brueckmann (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Mask (Audio CD)

For those whove seen the movie, you've heard the songs. They bring out the true bounce and rhythm of the movie. As soundtracks go, the produces of this album did a good job in mixin the artists and the sounds. This is one you need for you collection to keep you moving at high speeds.