Customer Reviews

Here to Save You All

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I will admit it, I never heard of Chino until 2Pac mentioned his name on his classic diss track "Hit Em Up". Eventually I decided to buy his record because I heard through the grapevine he's the punchline king and disses everyone alive and dead. "Here To Save You All" is Chino's first album which was released in 1996.

1. Here to Save You All - Intro

2. Deliver - Good beat, Chino comes so hard, hook is good - 4.5/5

3. No Complex - Good beat, Chino rips it again, different hooks - 4/5

4. Partner to Swing - Good beat, Chino says some of the sickest rhymes ever, hook is alright - 4.5/5

5. It's All Bad - Bangin beat, Chino comes great, hook is great as well - 5/5

6. Freestyle Rhymes - Nice beat, Chino kicks some sick rhymes, hook is good - 4.5/5

7. Riiot! (Featuring Ras Kass) - Good beat, Chino and Ras rip this track to shreds, hook is nice - 5/5

8. Waiting to Exhale (Featuring Gravitation) - Nice beat, Chino and Gravitation just spit rhymes back and forth, good but nothing special - 4/5

9. What Am I? - Bangin beat, Chino raps about some deep ish about his parents being different colors and him not fitting in in school and other situations because of it, good hook...classic track - 5/5

10. Feelin' Evil Again - Good beat, Chino comes nice with a lot of good punchlines, hook is good - 4.5/5

11. Thousands - Great beat, Chino rips it yet again, hook is good - 5/5

12. Kreep - Good beat, Chino comes nice, good hook - 5/5

13. Many Different Ways - Great beat, Chino doesn't disappoint, hook is good - 5/5

14. The Shabba-Doo Conspiracy (Featuring Kool Keith) - Decent beat, Chino and Keith make a nice collaboration, hook is good - 4.5/5

15. Ghetto Vampire - Good dark intro, which then switches into a good beat where Chino comes real hard, hook is good - 5/5

16. Rise - Great beat, Chino spits real nice to the beat with some great lyrics, has 2 different hooks...one is real good and the other is so-so but the song is great nonetheless - 5/5

Overall: 70.5/75

5 Stars

This cd is truely amazing. Chino definitely has the best punchlines I ever heard. He really was before his time with his lyrics. All the beats are banging except for like two tracks and every song is solid. Lloyd Banks may be the punchline king today and he's good at it as well, but Chino is the true king of them and it's sad his albums never went gold or platnium because he deserves well over that with the knowledge he has.

This is the album that shook the hip hop underground scene. How can a man seemingly so intelligent step on the toes of big name people like Tupac, LL Cool J or O.J. Simpson? Easily, I'd say. Chino just doesnt care. Lyrically, he stays raw, delivering lines like 'I go back like LL's hairline / F**k writing punchlines, I write f**king punch rhymes'. The production, however, doesnt come through to accomodate for the lyrics. B Wiz, the main producer, lays down lazy, slow beats and Chino seems to have some trouble flowing over them. But it's his clever and fast wordplay that saves the album: The majestetic 'Rise', on which he contemplates existence after death, and on 'Ghetto Vampire', a hypnotic track where Chino's flow really shines. The atmosphere on the album is very strong, mainly thanks to Chino's ability to paint pictures with his words. It isnt a perfect ten, though, and I for one know that Chino has got what it takes to score that ten. So until next time.

Chino XL, probably the illest lyrical emcee to date. Its hard to find someone who can put together as many sick metaphors and rhymes like Chino can.

Chino XL will never be platinum, probably never gold. Who cares. Who cares if you wont see him on TRL or 106 Park. Hell you will probably never see this kat on Rap City. Chino XL fans know hes ill. Chino XL fans know hes still out there. And we have massive respect for him.

This album is incredible. Amazing. Astonishing. Pure classic. This isn't the greatest hip-hop album of all time, but its close. Its real close.

Here to Save You All is breathtaking. Its groundbreaking. But will never be seen as an all time classic hip-hop album. Sad but true. Some say this album could have been better than what it was (production wise) but this album is perfect. I can't think of how it could be better.

There are a few guest on here. Ras Kass and of course the krazy Kool Keith. But the two tracks they are on are the least best. Chino doesn't need a collab.

Kunt Master Kurt did some of the production. Making the album nice on a productive tip.

The illest tracks include:

"Ghetto Vampire" "Deliver" "Many Different Ways" "Rise" and the all time classic "Creep." After I heard this album I seen why Tupac was so jealous of Chino.

There really isn't much more I can say about this classic except buy it. If you was a true head you would have already had this in your collection. I havent heard "I Told You So" yet but I can almost asure everyone its not as good as this.

I don't think there's any question as to whether or not Chino XL is a next level emcee, we all know he is, but anyone that tells you that beats are irrelevant to a rap album is crazy -- rap was born from party music...not the other way around.

I remember watching video jukebox back in '96 and seeing his video for No Complex for the first time. I think I ran my moms phone bill up about $30 just on that video and Das EFX's "Baknaffek" video (which I think I kept on the air for about 2 years all by myself). The funny thing is that almost no one payed any attention to Chino when he dropped. He was getting praise for the classic "No Complex", but after he dropped "Kreep" he seemed to lose/confuse a lot of people because back then lyricists where all about flexin' their mic skills instead of showing their range/versatility. As far as I'm concerned, this is the best album that no one bought in 1996. Whether it's ill lyricism (No Complex), varied subject matter (What Am I), or neck jerking beats (It's All Bad), this album has a little bit of everything.

The flaws on this album are few. Some complain that the beats are boring, but this isn't club music. This is hardcore, boom bap styled rap. Which means the emphasis is going to be placed more on the lyrics than the beats. The only people gettin' "jiggy" in '96 were the pop acts (Nas, Kim, Jay, Puff & Big, etc...). I found the production to be a perfect backdrop for Chino to unload on. My only beef is the somewhat disturbing "hidden track" #60 (it offers weird commentary on the OJ trial and it isn't a "track" at all) and "Thousands" is somewhat forgettable.

If you're into outstanding, next level lyricism, then this album is definitely for you. The punchlines and similies on the album are unlike those you would get from the average rapper. Even though Here To Save You All dropped to almost no fanfare, it's still one of the best albums to come out of '96. Chino may have been a little too far above the heads of the average listener at the time and it's a shame because this great album was all but ignored when it dropped. It shouldn't be too hard to find now, so if you come across it, snatch it up. You won't be disappointed at all.

Standout Tracks: Rise, Feelin' Evil Again, Riiot feat. Ras Kass, It's All Bad, Ghetto Vampire, No Complex (My Favorite), Many Different Ways, Freestyle Rhymes, The Shabba Doo Conspiracy feat. Kool Keith, and What Am I

I would have to say that this record is, in its own right, a hip hop classic regardless of the beats, if you want to hear where most of the metaphors of the 90's originated just listen to this album (regardless of what wannabe English majors has to say about similes, in hip hop they're metaphors). Chino XL is the greatest living Mc to me not just because of his precise delivery and unstoppable metaphors, but because of his controversial bravery and his creative subject matter. On the other hand me, like most, I only heard of chino because of his beef with whom I thought was the greatest Mc of all time, 2pac(the end of Hit'em Up) brought about because of a metaphor in Riot!! with Rass Kass (One of the best hip hop tracks ever. Hands down), I'd have to say that out of all the beefs that 2pac had (LL, Dre, Biggie ect...) No one had ripped 'Pac like Chino did on When Thugs Cry, so if you think 'Pac is one of the greatest (which I still do) Chino XL would also be of the same caliber. So don't pay attention to reviews (even this one), just get this album and be at awe at the non-stop metaphors and incredible rhymes and the beats aren't bad and reminiscent of when this cd was released, but if better beats is what you crave, just get I Told You So.

CHino you gotta come back and save hip hop from these hip pop mainstreamers who have no talent at all. come back and give them something hott again.

Chino Xl has to be one of the most (if not the most)talented lyrcists in the rap game now. He's an amazingly intelegent rapper that is very raw and blunt about his views and feelings. He's the only rapper I can think of that belongs to MENSA (a club for geniuses such as James woods and Stephen Hawking) and this album reflects that. If your thinking about buying it just do it. It is absolutely amazing. It has inspired me to rap and I will try to be as smart and flow as good as him. Everything on this album is good but look for Riiot!,Its All Bad, and No Complex.Don't be fooled by haters this is a classic!!!!

How can you knock a man down if he refuses to fall? This album is the wall around a towerhouse of a rhyme [...], Chino Xl, and man this guy is like a freakin' lumberjack, cutting down rap artist by rap artist like they plants. He pick and chooses the right people for his album, and not a lot of extra artists thank god. Kool Keith, and my personal favorite Ras Kass. Track after track he shows that he is the bigger and more powerful rhyme train, with humorous lines, but thought provoking at the same time, he kicks your ass, and makes you lick his boot. Too bad he has left the scene, he could have been the biggest thing.
Oh well, at least I have this c.d.

damn- it happens all the time. kool keith, canibus, jedi mind tricks... these cats along with chino xl are better emcees than all radio emcees but suffer for it. why?
Chino XL delivers on his first cd. true- most of the beats are mediocre except for track 2, 3, 12(kreep?) and the best one to me- ghetto vampire(switches beats 3 times!). but most cd releases have one or two good ones(look at wack azz Jay-Z new double album-only one!)
let's get to his lyrics...damn it! he is the best metaphor rapper. period. he is funny-he's smart-and not scared to challenge anyone. hey- he totally [ragged] on Tupac on a freestyle. is it just me or whenever he is featured on a track with others he always outshines them? the only other rapper that does that is Canibus.
can you imagine Canibus and Chino Xl taking on the whole industry?
he does need a new production team. i mean - the 4 tracks i mentioned before are off the hook and instantly impressed me-that style (to me) doesn't fit him.

if you are to purchase a hip hop cd with real lyrics- please try this one or Canibus new cd "mic club".

p.s. download that freestyle that chino xl disses Tupac. whewwww!

p.s.s. lyrics- 5 stars...production 3 1/2 stars.

Chino XL is, without question, the most underrated rapper in hip hop's relatively short history. 'Here to Save...', when I bought it on spec back in '96, blew my mind, to put it politely. I knew nothing of his verbal back and forth with Tupac; I happened to see his name in an underground rag and decided to grab it. To put it in perspective, I bought Xzibit's 'At the Speed of Life' the same day and it hasn't gotten 1/30th of the play that 'Here...' has.

You like Eminem's insults toward pop cultural figures? Then check 'Feelin' Evil Again' where he knocks Martin Lawrence for starters. Check 'Many Different Ways', where Tupac is completely destroyed, along with Farrakhan, Bone Thugs (for at least the second time in the LP) and even Heavy D. Compare that to Marshall Mathers insulting Britney and politicians, who don't exist in the hip hop realm and therefore can't strike back. Chino's rapid fire flow preceeded Eminem and I know I'm not the only one who senses that Em is derivative of XL...

Then there is 'Ghetto Vampire', where Chino metaphorically explores inner city, God and exploitation themes...this is probably one of the three best songs on board. One of the others is 'Rise': the afterlife and forgiveness are spoken on in a powerful laying-down of the usual hip hop ego. Very rare goods here!

'Thousands' is, improbably, my favorite song on this album. Double- and triple-meanings are all over this one. But it's really hard for me to pick; even after years 'Here to Save You All' is always in my rotation.

I've heard two people say that Chino uses the word 'like' too much...if that's the only fault you can find here, he's still ahead of anyone else. The man is incredible. If you are considering a career in rap, this album will make you put down the mic for good.

The tracks on this LP aren't what most hip hop listeners are used to, it's true. Unusual sound effects and instruments are here. Slower beats are here. They are at least passable. But truthfully, I didn't start to examine the beats until months had passed. Chino's lyrics are that stunning. Shameful, that I had to wait so many years for a new album...his appearance on Saafir's 'Not Fa Nuttin' on The Hit List seemed like a sleepwalk.

Pick up this album! This is the best deliverer of lyrics EVER. Period, point blank.