Customer Reviews

Constipated Monkey

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kurious' debut album "A Constipated Monkey" represents another slept on classic album from the CM crew. Like Kurious' crew members KMD, his album was slept on by some in 94, but loved by many hip hop heads, at a time when hip-hop focused on a variety of different types of lyrical styles and funk and jazz samples. Tracks like "Uptown S**t" and "Walk Like a Duck" have incredible funky bass lines, as Jorge blesses the mic with his smooth jazzy voice. "Leave Ya With This" is a standout track, which Jorge dedicates to fallen member Subroc of KMD. The heartfelt lyrics and Jorge's longing to one day return to the essence to see his friend, can make anyone who lost someone relate. The melodic horn sample on the hook adds to the melancholy track. Of course the classic cut on this album, "I'm Kurious" has one of the most melodic beats ever put to wax. This cut will have you pressing repeat on your CD player. "Nikole" find Kurious rapping about a girl who has played him, and though mentally he suffers, he is over it and looks back in retrospect. Finally, "What's The Real" has a funky beat as Jorge and Hieroglyphics crew member Casual share lyrical verses together! What more could you ask for? The Beatnuts again on this album display their producing skills, as well as Lord Sear. It is hard nowadays to get your hands on this album, however no Hip Hop head can do without!

Oh man talk about a slept on album? Son, it should be a crime how slept on this album was, and still is, when it came out in '94! Not only did his album get slept on but Kurious then faded into obscurity. He showed up here n there, specially with MF DOOM, but ahhh man if you don't count this as one of the best hip hop debuts ever then it's a wrap! Kurious Jorge, a half Cuban, half Boricua mc from Manhattan Valley, the small Latin ghetto sandwhiched between Central Park and Upper West side. He first came out with some local NY hits like "Uptown Sh*t" and "Walk Like a duck." He was a top Latin mc before, waaaay before, the Latin hype. Ditto for producers in residence for this album The Beatnuts. their production has always been crazy but on Kurious's joint they just bananas! The opening cut "Spell it wit a J" listen to mthat track today, and damn if it aint better than anything out right now. This came out in '94 and I've been had it in my list with other 94 classics like "Illmatic" and "Hard to Earn." Sadly...Kurious never got his shine and the ol neighborhood is gentrifying quickly, they even re named "Rock Steady Park!!" aka Happy Warrior Playground! It'd be good if you like early 90's classic Ny hip hop to invest in this.

I finally got the chance to buy my sought-after copy of this album when Amalgram Digital re-released it in 2007. The half-Cuban, half-Puerto Rican, Bronx-raised rapper Kurious released "A Constipated Monkey" in 1994, the year widely considered the best in hip hop history. So much of what was great about rap in '94 is in full effect here. Kurious is the blueprint of a mid-90s East Coast MC. He's neither an oustanding lyricist nor socially relevant, but he is a clever rapper with a commanding delivery and entertaining performance. Given his performance on "A Constipated Monkey," it's surprising that he didn't have a more eventful rap career. He has more than enough funny punchlines, and his Latin flair makes him unique. That said, "A Constipated Monkey" is very much a group effort. Production comes from four parties: The Beatnuts handling the bulk, with Prime Minister Pete Nice & Daddy Rich, the SD50s (aka the Stimulated Dummies), and Bosco Money of Downtown Science each contributing (as well as the Groove Merchantz on a bonus track). This is an outstanding team of producers that provides a focused sound that lives up to their top billing. The beats are lively and appealing, almost every one boasting a potent horn sample, vivrant bass and hard drum kicks. Pete Nice and Bobbito Garcia are credited as two executive producers, and the music captures the essence of East Coast hip hop in 1994. Part of what makes this album so enjoyable is the intangibles. Most tracks feature a guest MC, and many of his Constipated Monkeys crew go uncredited. However, they provide some of the best moments on the album; the French-speaking rapper Lucien on "Top Notch" will surely bring smiles to the listener's face. Other more recognizable guests include MF Grimm, Sadat X of Brand Nubian, Casual of Hieroglyphics, and Psycho Les of the Beatnuts. With top-notch beats, a good MC, and a product that's greater than the sum of its parts, "A Constipated Monkey" is a winner and a highly recommended LP.

The album opens with two looping Beatnuts productions, "Spell It Wit a J (Yes Yes Jorge)" and "Top Notch," both thick with trumpet sampling. Jorge introduces himself as a likable Bronx MC with a little Hispanic flavor. Psycho Les lends a verse to the latter track, as does the aforementioned Lucien. The best track is the ultra-melodic "I'm Kurious." Prime Minister Pete Nice (formerly of 3rd Bass) and Daddy Rich lend a phenomenal beat with excellent sampling, and the recording sounds perfect. Jorge's verses are well-written and thoughtful, and his voice echoes and weaves through the beat wonderfully. The posse-cut anthem "Uptown S..." is great, and "Leave Ya With This" and the upbeat "Fresh Out the Box" also vibe well. The first single, "Walk Like a Duck," is quite memorable, followed by the solid "Tear S... Up," which uses a nice Biz Markie sample, and the MF Grimm collabo "Baby Bust It." "Nikole" is an endearing song about lost love with fun production by Bosco Money, and the unlikely duo of Casual and Kurious provide a classy highlight in "What's the Real." The bouncy "Jorge of the Projects" closes the tracklist. The 2007 re-release contains two bonus tracks. The first is a gem, a Sadat X collaboration called "Mansion and a Yacht," where both rappers bring their humorous best, and the second is a remix of "I'm Kurious."

"A Constipated Monkey" is not a perfect album, nor does it break any new ground, but it stands among some of the better hip hop releases during the landmark year that was 1994. Fans of the Beatnuts, Alkaholiks, D.I.T.C., and like-minded East Coast acts should not hesitate to pick up this re-release. As part of his deal with Amalgram, Kurious not only agreed to re-release his debut, but in the liner notes he promises a new LP in 2008. Until then, pick up "A Constipated Monkey" if you haven't and enjoy one of the more slept-on releases of '94.

The guy who said this album wasn't a gem has serious problems. This album is great from beggining to end. Jorge's laid back style is indeed refreshing, and you must be hitting the pipe if you don't think hes skilled. All the beats on this album are lovely, classic boom-bap. However, Kurious and his enjoyable style make every song. There are also great guest spots made by Casual and Grimm Reaper (aka MF/GM Grimm). Its a crime that this album is mad slept on. Kurious has a new album in the works, so look out for that one aswell.

Anyone who samples that classic De La line is on point.

First time I heard Kurious was on the KMD track "Stop Smokin' That Sh*t" and I loved what I heard.
As frontman for the "Constipated Monkeys" crew, Kurious puts together a very good album. The Beatnuts handle the majority of the beats, so the production is dope, other production is by Prime Minister Pete Nice & The Stimulated Dummies.
Although he's quite an average MC, his presence and laid-back style fits the production and makes the album vibe really well. There's no real stand-out tracks, instead every song is really good, and a complete album you can listen to straight through is way better than an album of singles and filler.

Bottom Line: This album is so slept-on, every old-school head should own it. If you don't own it - wake up and cop it. 4 stars, Peace.

The half-Cuban, half-Puerto Rican, Bronx-raised rapper Kurious released "A Constipated Monkey" in 1994, the year widely considered the best in hip hop history. So much of what was great about rap in '94 is in full effect here. Kurious is the blueprint of a mid-90s East Coast MC. He's neither an oustanding lyricist nor socially relevant, but he is a clever rapper with a commanding delivery and entertaining performance. Given his performance on "A Constipated Monkey," it's surprising that he didn't have a more eventful rap career. He has more than enough funny punchlines, and his Latin flair makes him unique. That said, "A Constipated Monkey" is very much a group effort. Production comes from four parties: The Beatnuts handling the bulk, with Prime Minister Pete Nice & Daddy Rich, the SD50s (aka the Stimulated Dummies), and Bosco Money of Downtown Science each contributing. This is an outstanding team of producers that provides a focused sound that lives up to their top billing. The beats are lively and appealing, almost every one boasting a potent horn sample, vivrant bass and hard drum kicks. Pete Nice and Bobbito Garcia are credited as two executive producers, and the music captures the essence of East Coast hip hop in 1994. Part of what makes this album so enjoyable is the intangibles. Most tracks feature a guest MC, and many of his Constipated Monkeys crew go uncredited. However, they provide some of the best moments on the album; the French-speaking rapper Lucien on "Top Notch" will surely bring smiles to the listener's face. Other more recognizable guests include MF Grimm, Casual of Hieroglyphics, and Psycho Les of the Beatnuts. With top-notch beats, a good MC, and a product that's greater than the sum of its parts, "A Constipated Monkey" is a winner and a highly recommended LP.

The album opens with two looping Beatnuts productions, "Spell It Wit a J (Yes Yes Jorge)" and "Top Notch," both thick with trumpet sampling. Jorge introduces himself as a likable Bronx MC with a little Hispanic flavor. Psycho Les lends a verse to the latter track, as does the aforementioned Lucien. The best track is the ultra-melodic "I'm Kurious." Prime Minister Pete Nice (formerly of 3rd Bass) and Daddy Rich lend a phenomenal beat with excellent sampling, and the recording sounds perfect. Jorge's verses are well-written and thoughtful, and his voice echoes and weaves through the beat wonderfully. The posse-cut anthem "Uptown S..." is great, and "Leave Ya With This" and the upbeat "Fresh Out the Box" also vibe well. The first single, "Walk Like a Duck," is quite memorable, followed by the solid "Tear S... Up," which uses a nice Biz Markie sample, and the MF Grimm collabo "Baby Bust It." "Nikole" is an endearing song about lost love with fun production by Bosco Money, and the unlikely duo of Casual and Kurious provide a classy highlight in "What's the Real." The bouncy "Jorge of the Projects" closes the tracklist.

"A Constipated Monkey" is not a perfect album, nor does it break any new ground, but it stands among some of the better hip hop releases during the landmark year that was 1994. Fans of the Beatnuts, Alkaholiks, D.I.T.C., and like-minded East Coast acts should not hesitate to pick up this re-release. Although the original pressing is out of print, I highly recommend the 2007 Amalgram Digital re-release (A Constipated Monkey, which contains two unreleased bonus tracks. As part of his deal with Amalgram, Kurious not only agreed to re-release his debut, but in the liner notes he promises a new LP in 2008. Until then, pick up "A Constipated Monkey" if you haven't and enjoy one of the more slept-on releases of '94.

Too bad this LP is out of print; 'cause it's dope. When I first got it... it was a head-nodder. Production from the Beatnuts, V.I.C. and guest spots from none other than MF Grimm and Casual. A solid LP through and through! If you have an opportunity to cop this CD, DO IT!!!

This is without a doubt one of the most underrated albums of the early(mid) nineties. Often with theese hard to come by, hyped albums of the golden era, there is a reason why it didn't get the recognition it deserved. Here it just doesn't make any sense. This album has got some of the illest beats Beatnuts ever handed to a rapper, we got Mf Grimm up in here, we got Casual up in here, we even got the stimulated Dummies blessing this record with a couple(?) of gems. Not to meantion Kurious him self, humorious, laid back and on the humble tip.

This is a very solid record(that acctualy is a 4.5 rather than a 4.0) that i would recomend to all you die hard earlyninetieshiphop fans who think you covered the golden era with your gangstarr foundation, ditc & native tounges. This one is just as good, don't sleep!

(...)

Best album in recent years and this album is 10 years old...I used to have it on cassette put I pretty much played it to ashes and for the last 7 years ive been searching for it on the web and I finally found here...thanx Amazon

This album brings back great memories of the summer of 94. Some times it's refreshing to dip in the old cd's and find a gem like Kurious. In a time where hip hop has turned to nothing more than garbage, I listen to this album and others from that era before hip hop was so processed. The beats are fresh, partly because of excellent production from the Beatnuts. After this album i never heard anything new from Kurious, i'm sure because album sales weren't as great as expected. And if Kurious was to come out with new material he would have to appeal to the masses and come wack like all the others who attempted comebacks recently. but we will always have the "constipated monkey" a hip hop classic!!