Customer Reviews

New Jersey Drive, Vol. 1: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

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

 

 

The OutKast track on here is TIGHT. If you are an OutKast fan it is worth buying the soundtrack just for that song.

The rest of the soundtrack is really good too. I would recommend this disc to any hip-hop fan.

With the movie and soundtrack successes of Boyz N' Da Hood, Juice, Menace II Society, and other urban flavored movies, the hip hop movie soundtrack explosion of the 90's came on strong. It even got to a point where there were a few terrible movies released for the sole purpose of having a soundtrack released along with them (Phat Beach, Tales From The Hood, etc...). Some were good, some were bad. Only a handful of them were great though. Despite what some will tell you, New Jersey Drive Vol. 1 is probably one of the best hip hop soundtracks to come out of the 90's. The gems on this joint are vintage 90's r&b/hip hop bangers. Tracks like "Ain't Nuttin' But Killin", "Through The Window", "Burn Rubber", "Check It Out", and "All About My Fetti" are strong cuts that could've and should've been singles. "Old Thing" holds up very well after all these years (wow, this album is 11 years old -- I feel like such a senior citizen now). Even the normally terrible Ill Al Skratch come off well on "Don't Shut Down On A Playa". Toss in a string of classic tracks like "Benz Or Beamer", "Can't You See", "Jersey", and "Where Am I?" and you'll have a virtually untouchable soundtrack on your hands.

Even though the strong tracks shine bright, there is a fair amount of filler to be found on this album. "Do What U Want" is nothing more than skip material from Blak Panta. "21 In The Ghetto", though very positive, is kind of hard to sit through because it's so boring. "Love Slave" from Undacova is straight up wack and Smooth's "One And Only" rehashes her hit from the Menace II Society soundtrack (actually, now that I look back, she made the same song over and over anyway). That's only four of seventeen tracks though. The rest is great.

New Jersey Drive Vol. 1 is probably one of the best hip hop soundtracks to come out of the 90's. The versatility of the lineup make this one of the most cohesive and balanced soundtracks in hip hop. Though there is a fair amount of filler, the classics found here make it a must have album. After you check this out, be sure to pick up Vol. 2 also. Even though it's a lot shorter than Vol. 1, it's just as dope. Two thumbs way up.

Standout Tracks: Where Am I?, Burn Rubber, Benz Or Beamer, Can't You See feat. The Notorious B.I.G., East Left, Don't Shut Down On A Playa, Jersey (My Favortie), Ain't Nuttin' But Killin', Old Thing, and Before I Let Go

This soundtrack is truly incredible, from start to finish.

It has a nice Hip Hop and R&B feel to it. Outkast' "Benz or Beamer" is the best song on this soundtrack IMO, but the other songs on here are tight as well. From Hip Hop legends Ill Al Skratch to Queen Latifah to Redman to Mac Mall, what else do you want from?

Way back in 1995, when the New Jersey Drive movie was released, a lot of artists came together to create a nice soundtrack. Back then on soundtracks, there was a variety of artists who dropped by with some tracks to add to the soundtrack, some related to the movie, as well as others that are unreleated. When most people think of this soundtrack, the first track that comes to mind is Outkast's "Benz Or Beemer", being that it was the leadoff promotional single to this soundtrack.

The first song that starts off is Ill Al Skratch's "Don't Shut Down On A Playa", which has a nice beat and a nice hook, but the lyrics are subpar (whoever does that second verse is borderline wack). Redman drops in for a solid track "Where Am I?". Further down in the album Bay Area natives Young Lay, Mac Mall, and Ray Luv comes in for the funky six minute track "All About My Fetti". Lords Of The Underground comes in for the dope song "Burn Rubber". One of my favorites is the Poets of Darkness track "21 In The Ghetto", a track with a laidback rhymestyle. Outkast shines on the most recognizable track of the soundtrack "Benz Or Beemer". Queen Latifah reps NJ to her fullest on the song "Jersey". MC Eiht has a laidback track "Ain't Nothin' But The Killin'" which sounds similar to the tracks from We Come Strapped. Maze & Franke Beverly's "Before I Let Go" sounds out of place appearing on this soundtrack, in which I doubt that that song was newly recorded for this soundtrack. The album ends with a sex song by Smooth called "One And Only".

Overall, a dope soundtrack. Aside from a few songs, you won't find too much substance on this soundtrack, which is normal because not too often an artist brings their A material for a compilation/sountrack. At the same time, the standout material is what makes the soundtrack what it is. Having a soundtrack has it's advantages, because you get to hear a variety of artists, such as material from Menace II Society: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Murder Was the Case, which showed a varitey of artists. There is also New Jersey Drive, Vol. 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, that has been released seprately as well, which questions me on why didn't who ever was in charge of the soundtrack at Tommy Boy Records find a way to combine the two. Maybe a double disc would have been the best route for the soundtrack. Anyway, the soundtrack is recommended to fans of mid 90's rap and r&b. It's a shame that soundtracks that comeout nowadays aren't as creative as ones like this. Peace.

Lyrics: B
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: N/A
Musical Vibes: B

Top 5 Tracks:
1. 21 In The Ghetto (Poets Of Darkness)
2. Benz Or Beemer (Outkast)
3. Jersey (Queen Latifah)
4. All About My Fetti (Young Lay, Mac Mall, and Ray Luv)
5. Do What U Want (Blak Panta)

Honorable Mention:
1. Burn Bubber (Lords Of The Underground)
2. One And Only (Smooth)

This is an excellent soundtrack for several reasons. One, it is incredibly varied, within the spectrum of black music. Everyone from Redman to Outkast to Frankie Beverly is on this CD. And while that works to the advantage of the company in that it will appeal to a wide range of people who like a certain song they heard, for some people it may interrupt the continuity of an otherwise great album.

But as far as I'm concerned, there is very little on this album that would serve to disappoint anyone. The only thing I wish is that some of the songs from "Drive, Vol. 2" (and there are only eight, it's really a rip-off to have to buy, even if it's worth all the songs) weren't included on the first volume. Jeru's "Invasion," O.C. & Organized Konfusion's "You Won't Go Far" and especially the E. Bros.' "Funky Piano" are some of the best songs from the movie.

However, the first volume is very good. There is a very healthy mix of songs. The soundtrack doesn't stay within a particular genre for very long. Ill Al Skratch's "Don't Shut Down On a Player" and Redman's terminally-bumpin' "Where Am I?" is calmed down by the smooth flow of Sabelle's "Old Thing." Blak Panta makes a great showing on the reggae-tinged "Do What Ya Want."

Some of the best songs come from surprising places, however. Outkast's contribution to the album, the East-Coast-flavored "Benz or Beamer" is superb, as well as Coolio's soul-infused "Looking Through the Window," reminiscent of his "It Takes a Thief" days. But my personal favorite is "All About My Fetti" performed by Mac Mall, Young Lay and Ray Luv. The BUMPING track coincides perfectly with the MC's pimp-flow, making for the most complete and entertaining song.

There are a couple slow moments. Keith Murray's "East Left" is a little non-descript, as well as MC Eiht's mediocre "Ain't Nuthin' But Killin'" (which I don't even remember hearing during the movie). But otherwise this is an excellent soundtrack, one of the best out there for a hip-hop-related film.