Customer Reviews

Mental Floss for the Globe

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have had to settle for listening to the UDS debut album on tape for years; finally I got smart enough to order this reissue, with the bonus live CD (more on that later). What a great album this is, still...

The Squad, formed in Utrecht (not in Amsterdam--there is more to the Netherlands than just Amsterdam) in 1987, apparently dissolved itself for the last time in 2000, after an impressive set of albums, and after leaving audiences overwhelmed all over Europe as well as a few happy places in the US (they played at the New York New Music Seminar twice, in 89 and 90). "Mental Floss" was their first album, and still one of the best on the list. Other reviewers have listed the bands influenced by them and their explosive combination of rap and rock, so I don't have to do that again--it would be nice if some of those artists would pay their dues.

Even though I think this album is fantastic, I don't consider it a perfect effort--there are true gems on it, but also a few not-so-good tunes: I've never cared much for "The Devil" or for "Big Apple." However, songs like "No Kid" (there's a real hardcore version of this semi-acoustic song out somewhere), "Fast Lane," and "Brainstorm on the UDS" more than make up for that. The Rudeboy's style has always been unique--over the top, edgy, fast--and he's backed up by a set of great musicians. Silly Sil's funky bass, welded tightly with Magic Stick's aggressive but sober drums, form a solid background for DJ DNA, a truly innovative DJ, and Tres Manos, a guitar player who was never satisfied playing in just one style (the latest from him: he plays pedal steel in a band called the Yearlings)--he ranges from howling electric to blues (like that other dude you couldn't pin down--Jimi H.).

On a sidenote: if this is one of those few Dutch records that ever did well overseas, it is due perhaps in part to other input from the low countries: Peter Te Bos, of the trendsetting (well, in Europe anyway) garage band Claw Boys Claw, did the artwork (and when is the CBC back catalog coming out on CD?); the production was done by Jean-Marie Aerts, of the Belgian band TC Matic, a guitar player who deserves much more recognition than he gets.

The live CD that accompanies this re-issue, taped in Hollywood, 1990, is nice to have. The set was rocking, as usual, but the sound quality is a bit underwhelming. The UDS had a habit of gulping down a lot of Jack Daniels and of sometimes working out their personal differences on stage--none of that seems to bother them here. They are tight, the Rudeboy plays the audience, they seem comfortable playing on a different continent. It's a pity I've only met one person as yet in the US (back in LA in the early nineties) who had heard of the UDS and liked them: they deserve more play here.

Alright--I've sung their praises long enough. If you want to know who was there at the start, who mixed it up and rocked the house for a decade, "Mental Floss" is there for you, as fresh as when it came out.

Back in the ancient year of 1990, very few fused rap with rock. You had Aerosmith and Run DMC doing a remake of the former's "Walk This Way." You had Anthrax doing the hilarious and rockin' "I'm The Man." You had Faith No More doing "Epic." And my personal favorite was an incredible band from San Francisco called Mordred that was so cool that they did Rick James' "Superfreak" before MC Hammered made it into "Can't Touch This" - like I'd want to. But I think the first band to make a full-time job out of it was Urban Dance Squad. Their music was a flawless blend of rap, soul, punk, pop, and alternative. And for a band that didn't have very many role models, they did a bang-up job. While Limp Bizquick and countless others show how bad rap-rock can be, UDS showed how good it could be. Instead of hearing about Fred Durst whining about how he can't get any or Kid Rock's wannabe pimp posturing, UDS brought smart and insightful pre-gangsta old school lyrics to the table. If you like both rap and rock but not rap-rock, you may just be pleasantly surprised by UDS's MENTAL FLOSS FOR THE GLOBE. You might also want to check out LIFE & PERSPECTIVES OF A GENUINE CROSSOVER too.

This album is a must have for anyone who likes music that is hard to catagorize. That is, this is a blend of rap and rock like you have never heard before. This album was very ahead of its time, as the rock and rap music is becoming more and more popular, and this is the grandaddy of them all! You will not be dissapointed. From the radio smash of "Deeper Shade of Soul" to the catchy songs of "Prayer for my Demo" and "No Kid", this is a must for people who like rap without all of the hardcore.

Urban Dance Squad came out with an album in 1989 that changed the way people listened to music. Problem was, only the band and their few fans knew about the impact from the get-go. Grossly overlooked, this band is the source of pretty much every musical style that blends r&b, soul and hip hop with rock or metal influences. From Korn to Sugar Ray, from RATM to Roots, from Beck to Kid Rock, these guys beat them all to this sound by about 3 to 8 years. "Struggle for the Jive" is heavy aggro-rock at its finest, "Fast Lane" out-smacks Prodigy and "Deeper Shade of Soul" features one of the best blends of mellow soul, sampling and loopy guitar work I've ever heard. Seeing these guys live was something else. Totally under appreciated band that more people seriously need to recognize.

The Urban Dance Squad is a highly versatile band. They can play everything, as can be heard on this album, their debut. Rock, groove, hip-hop beats, reggae, they mix everything so that an exciting new sound emerges. Highlights include Fastlane, their US hit Deeper Shade Of Soul, Struggle For Jive and Brainstorm On The U.D.S.

What makes this disc really interesting is that it comes with a bonus live disc of their 1990 tour. Here, the energy explodes from the CD. For more than one hour you hear why they were the hottest thing. If you always wanted to know where Rage Against The Machine came from, or what would happen if the Red Hot Chili Peppers had a DJ then this disc needs to belong in your record collection.

This disc has been out since the early 90's actually, and I don't know a single person who knows it, but I'm glad I do. They're not the first or last band to do the rap-rock thing, but they do it really well. Close comparisons would be "Fishbone" or "311". The hit from this was "Deeper Shade Of Soul", and while that probably is the best track, alot of the others are near as good. "No Kid" has an infectious hook, and "Fast Lane" and "Brainstorm On The U.D.S." are sweet too. The original version of this comes without the 2nd disc, but getting it makes this twice as nice. Don't forget to floss.

The only hit UDS had in the US was, of course, Deeper Shade of Soul. That's not even the best song on this CD. From start to finish this is a very solid effort.

Grossly overlooked (maybe some people thought they sounded too much like RHCP) this early 90's album has stood the usually cruel test of time. They have other great albums, but this is their best; plus, nobody, and I mean NOBODY, was doing anything like this in 1989. If you're older than 6 years old and already outgrown Limp Bizkit, do yourself a favor and buy this.

TRULY A GOOD RECORD.THESE GUYS PUT OUT SOULCORE FUNK.

I don't know what to say about this other than this is good music when there is a lot of music that isn't, or isn't music at all. They made a global impact but I really wish some of these really cool bands and artists would have more success than, say, Phil Collins.

I grew up with this. It was one of my introctions to harder-edged rock after I went through my quick-lived rap interest as a child. I wish I could spice this up more but all I can say is if you like cool and unique music that isn't too poppy and boring, then give this a shot.

If you can find this with the live hollywood disc included, then even better because that is a very good live recording. I also recommend 2 of their other albums entitled 'Artantica' and 'Persona Non Grata'. Both of them Are equally, if not more fun.