Customer Reviews

Blue Funk

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Heavy D was always extremely clever lyrically. He was at once socially conscious, joking, boastful, and a lithe stage performer whose dancing moves belied his girth. Every single one of his first three albums had chart-topping singles and huge sales. Sadly and ironically when he made his greatest leap as an artist, his audience deserted him.

Those looking for Heavy D's lyrically tonguetwisting, complex, lively and eloquent style won't be at all disappointed by this set. The key to Heavy D's stuff is how clearly he enunciates every syllable. Like a trained actor he always hits his marks, no matter how difficult, with precision. He does it so well, he probably makes it sound too easy, and that's the only reason I can think of that he isn't popularly listed among the great MCs of this or any era.

Anyway, this album came on the heels of the tragic loss of his close friend and groupmate, Trouble T-Roy. As a result, Hev desided to eschew the danceable, New Jack Swing laced beats that were so popular at the time. He didn't even utilize superproducer Teddy Riley, who had been backing him with musical tracks since he debuted, and with whom he had collaborated on most of his greatest hits.

He instead chose to give most of the production duties to underground DJs like Tony Dofat, and the brilliant Pete Rock. The result is an album that sounds like nothing he did before or after. It has a moody, unique soundscape that I find exhilirating.

Stand out tracks include the Sister Nancy inspired "Talk is Cheap", The bouncing "Who's in the House", DJ Premier's "Yes Y'all", the Pete Rock (still at the height of his form) contributions "Lovesexy" and "Blue Funk". Plus, this album is historically notable for it's debut of another famous heavyweight MC, The Notorious B.I.G., on the posse cut "A Buncha Nig*az".

This experiment wasn't a commercial success, but it's a beautiful testament to, and probably the best complete artistic work from a man who consistently produced excellent music. It's a hidden gem you can probably pick up used for dirt cheap, but is good enough to pay full price for.

This album was definetly the best heavy d album I ever heard. Although,it s not ur average hardrock buckemdown sound which was so apparent in the end of the early 90's(92-93season) his flow had gotten a little more hardcore.One of the best loops ever made was on this album by primo (dj premier) in yes yall.I mean callabos with guru, rob o ,biggie smalls and busta and others is a clue that the heavster wasn t playin on this album.Pete rock also did a couple tracks on the album.This album is a classic.I can still remember where i was when this album came out. I wuz in junior high (8th grade)and saw the video who's the man? and i jumped around with my crew for hrs.lol!! If u think heavy d sucks then just listen to this album or go the extra km and buy it its like whut they used to say back in the day "slammin." LOLOL!!!.Oh before I forget, Heavy d lost about 120 lbs so he should be called cock desiel d now in stead of heavy d HAHAHA!!!! nuff respec to the heavster gettin reck in the gym . Now the girls reallly love him .Big up the monyearninmountvernon PEACE.

I always thought this was probably Heavy D at his best and even years later I can still say this is an enjoyable album.

Many radio worthy tracks and catchy tunes and choruses. If you're a Heavy D fan this is a must have. If you're curious, it's probably worth your purchase.

I do not have any other albums by this hip-hop crew besides this 1992 trunk thumper and their follow-up Nuttin' But Love (1994). I am aware that Heavy D and the group make a lotta songs for the honeys with smooth production to back them up. I gotta say this bangs. It has a neat mix of smooth jams for the honeys and some raw, heated joints. We have some heavy weight producers here such as Premier, Pete Rock (two of my favorites), and Tony Dofat, and Jesse West. They produce a wonderful array of bass heavy boom bap. Heavy D really rips the tracks with his butta flow. A raw joint is "Talk Is Cheap" where he rips hard into cats talkin' ish with an aggressive flow and tone. He does have moments of bragadoccio on "Who's In The House" over jazz-horn laced Dofat banger beat. Pete Rock laces a mad heavy, jazzy atmosphere in the slick "Love Sexy." This jam is cool to cruise to while flossin' in ya whip. TRhe beat is among some of Pete's finer works, and that says a lot knowing his discog. Pete Rock does it again in the stripped down drum heavy "It's A New Day," where D and the Boyz touch on the day to day life in the hood. "A Buncha N-----" is a phat, raw posse cut with Busta Rhymes, Notorious BIG (his verse is killer here, listen to him flow), Guru from Gangstarr, 3rd Eye, and Rob-O. They all flex their battle skills and flows. Blue Funk shows a side of the group in that they can be versatile and discuss issues about life and the cycle of violence in the hood without (glorifying it). Anyone sleeping on them because they mae love/sex joints should not. This is a fine golden era classic from NYC.

The formula changed for the better when "Blue Funk" was released in 1992. Heavy D comes with a shrewd awareness of the ghetto and the struggles of his own life. Frankly, he simply comes "harder" than ever before. For the most part, the past template for The Boyz has been completely pulverized. This album is much different than his other R&B flavored pop-rap outings, and is highly notable for Heavy D's most conscious and emotional set of lyrics to date.

This is honestly one of my most played hip-hop albums. I own it on cassette, CD & Vinyl. The high caliber of quality is astounding. Besides the vast change in attitude and lyrical content, Heavy D signed on some legendary producers to make this album shine, including Tony Dofat, DJ Premier, and his cousin Pete Rock. Every track hits with pure sophistication. The hit single and album opener "Truthful" is one of the few throwbacks to the The Boyz' previous formula. The beat, hook and chorus are straight addictive and starts the album off on the right foot. The mood changes after that with the Steve Miller Band sampled glory of "Who's The Man" - the first sign of a welcomed change in formula. "Talk Is Cheap" keeps right on hitting with ease. Then comes the reason I had to dock the album a half a star - "Girl". This would be the only other throwback to their previous style with more of a reggae-dance-hall flavored tune. It's forgivable after hearing the next cut, and perhaps the best track on the album. "It's a New Day" combines stellar production from Pete Rock and equally chilling lyrics from Heavy D about the struggles of living in the ghetto. "Love Sexy" is probably my favorite tune here. The lush production from newcomer Jesse West is just magical, with amazing hooks and lyrics to match. "A Buncha Niggas" is an excellent posse cut featuring Biggie Smalls, Busta Rhymes, Guru, Rob-O & Third Eye.

Overall, this is not the album that fans of the early Heavy D & The Boyz would expect. Despite it's dip in commercial status among their other work, it's critical acclaim has left it to be a highly underrated classic. Those that felt that Heavy D was a little too R&B for their taste, should find this album to be a real diamond in the ruff.

Hev was pressured into proving that he could go hard like some of the other rappers of the early 90's. With Blue Funk the beats are harder as well as his flow. Heavy succeeds in proving that he was more than one dimensional, but his best music came when he was having fun and getting at the ladies.

Top Joints:
Blue Funk (Jeep Banger)
Who's the man (tight)
LoveSexy (Nice Pete Rock horn beat and funky chorus)
Girl (Hev flipping the dancehall)
Yes Yes Yall (Best Track)

Heavy D spits a lot of hot raps on this album and with musical production by his cousin Pete Rock on the most part how could you go wrong? My favorite songs on here are "A Buncha N****'s"(great collab record with all the legendary mcs like Gangstarr, Busta Rhymes, and Notorious B.I.G.), "Here Comes The Heavster", "Blue Funk", "Who's In The House?", and "Who's The Man", recommended for fans that like classic hip-hop, don't sleep on this album you won't be dissapointed

Heavy D. & the Boyz returned with another smooth, commercial mainstream lp with Blue Funk. There are two tracks where Heavy D. gets a little dirtier over DJ Premier's jazz filled, hip-hop track. Heavy covers all basis with talk on relationships on the opening "Truthful". The one track produced by Skeff Anselm where Heavy where he continues to boast like he did on "Who's The Man?". "It's A New Day" produced by cousin Pete Rock, is the struggles through this life's journey. The two tempo sample loop on "Love Sexy" flows well with Heavy's non-explicit rhymes. "A Buncha Niggas" on track 13 where Heavy incorporated help from Busta Rhymes, Guru of Gang Starr, Rob-O & Notorious B.I.G. For alternative to the violence and disrespect found in rap/hip-hop, there's still someone who could take an alternative route just as effective.

CLASSIC.
LYRICS ---------- 9/10
PRODUCTION COURTESY OF TONY DOFAT --------- 10/10
THEME --------- 10/10
ALBUM COVER -------- 10/10
CONCEPT -------- 10/10
GUEST APPEARANCE -------- NOTORIOUS BIG,PETE ROCK,C.L SMOOTH & GURU
STAND OUT TRACKS --------- ALL TRACKS
OVERALL ---------- EXCELLENT.

O.KAKA GOD'S GIFT TO DA UNDERGROUND

Like typical Heavy D this CD is tight. I love it. Heavy D keeps it real. He's the best old skool rapper ever. I saw him in fresh prince one time too. He is the best rapper ever, peace out homie