Customer Reviews

Kill the Rhythms

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

 

 

He's the rapper that other rappers don't want you to know about. Just-Ice is one of the most vicious MCs ever. He's went head to head with LL Cool J, and the Wu Tang Clan in their prime, and defeated them. This album is packed with rough rhymes. However, it lacks production quality. If you like hardcore hip-hop, Just-Ice should be your favorite MC.

"Kill the Rhythm (Like a Homicide)" was Just-Ice's sixth LP, released in 1995 on Bay Area-indie In-A-Minute Records. The 11-track album is divided into `New York Tapes' and `San Francisco Tapes', respectively. It reflects a nod to the influence of west coast rap--which by then had become a juggernaut via the likes of Death Row and a few others. By this time, 80's era east coast lyricists were already having to compete with newer New York acts like Nas and Wu-Tang Clan. Deciding against the east-west beefs that were prevailing at the time, Just-Ice headed west to maintain his career momentum (Kool G Rap did a similar move for his "Live & Let Die" album).

Pros:
The first song is "Bad Boy is in Town", produced by KRS-One. On this, KRS tweaks his "The Bridge is Over" breakbeat, while Just chats about taking out rivals. KRS also contributes beats for "Cenci": by this time open tributes to marijuana use had become de rigeur in rap after Cypress Hill and "The Chronic" blew up. O.C. Rodriguez mans the beat-machine for "Ladies Nuff Respect", where Just gives props to the fairer sex. "Livin in Lockdown" is maybe the best song on the album, with its west coast-funk style rhythm track and wailing keyboards. The title track continues in that vein.

Cons:
"Bring `em Back Alive" and "Stay the Hell Away from Me" are simply remakes from the artist's previous "Gun Talk" LP. Just-Ice definitely expanded his sound on this album but some of the rhythm tracks on the LP are still a little lackluster. This isn't Just Ice's strongest album, but for those who appreciate east-coast lyricism over left-coast style tracks, this has some pleasant surprises.

Overall rating: B

Half of the album is produced by O.C. Rodriguez ( BADMAN BEHIND THE BOARDS!!)Check Raiders of the Lost Art for more O.C. Rodriguez tracks. No features here ...just pure JUST - ICE killin' microphones. He didn't tweak his sound and technique much. Did he need to? Hellz naw!Censi is a personal fav. Remember raggamuffin NY stylee ?!? 1993-1995.

Great cd, If your a KRS ONE fan you'll enjoy this!

Just ice lucked up with latoya and cold getting dumb. although i must admit he had some skills way back then they have eroded.Everything from going to jail for hitting to stalking his babys momma this guy is a real loser.I knew him way back in his hey days and he smoked more crack than he could afford.Taking a fraze from one of his songs.(the best thing you wrote was a heap of stink garbage.