Customer Reviews

Strictly Business: U.S.D.A. Edition

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is a gem, it has influenced so many rap groups and emcees, and also has classic tracks. Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith (PMD) are an unforgettable duo, their styles go well together because they are very similar both voice-wise and flow-wise. However, Erick is more laid-back while PMD is more of a battle rapper. Erick Sermon is also a production genius and proves it with his work on this album. The samples from various groups on this record are used frequently because at that time you didn't have to give credit for it or even royalties. There are famous tunes from Kool & The Gang and Rick James that can be heard on this record. But, unlike someone like Puff Daddy who rips off the songs of others for his own personal benefit, EPMD use the samples sparingly and don't steal the whole song. Even though there are only ten songs on this album, every single one is worth listening to. That's why this album is so good, you can just chill to it if You Gots To Chill. Rappers on both the East and West Coast were heavily influenced by this record alone. The songs are not explicit at all and are kind of innocent, showing it was a time when hip-hop was just about fun, and not about ice, being a gangsta, or the celebrity life.

The album starts out with the classic title track "Strictly Business" where both emcees tear the song up over a hard beat. An instant classic song. "I'm Housin'" is a catchy track with good scratching and once again they both tear it up. "Let The Funk Flow" is yet another classic, and it has the beat Nas ripped off for his "Nastradamus" song, both emcees sound a little laid-back on this song which is nice, and they keep it simplified. "You Gots To Chill" has some vocoder sounds and the "Jungle Boogie" sample which sounds very much like something West Coast. Erick Sermon steals the show on this song with some great lines. "It's My Thing" is my favorite song on this album, with it's great bouncy beat you can't help but love. The Alkaholiks used this beat for their song "Only When I'm Drunk" showing the appeal of it. Once again, Erick Sermon steals the show: "If you want some water, I'll get you a cup, but if you don't want it then burn the hell up". "You're A Customer" is a good song, pretty much a traditional EPMD track, with its bouncing beat and funky chorus. Once again a good performance from both. "The Steve Martin" is a classic song, it's about a dance called "The Steve Martin", with a great saxophone-trumpet loop and a nice feel-good aura. "Get Off The Bandwagon" is a nice track telling all the people ridin' EPMD's jock to get off. This isn't one of the best songs on the album but it is definitely a good track. "DJ K La Boss" is also a nice party track with strictly an instrumental and no rapping, but DJ K. La Boss comes with some tight scratching on here. "Jane" is the final song on the album and it is EPMD dissing this girl named Jane who they make a song about on every one of their albums. This is just the beginning of it. The song is classic and also hilarious.

As I've said before, EPMD is one of the most influential groups of all-time, and this record really set the pace for two amazing careers in rap. SO MANY rappers have used lines on their record from EPMD, sampled them, or even remade their songs. Let's see if I can list all of the emcees who have done this: Nas, Snoop Dogg, The Dogg Pound, The Alkaholiks, Warren G, Ja Rule and The Murderers, Jay-Z, Redman, Foxy Brown, and a host of others both on the East and West Coast. This album started a legacy. An easy five stars.

EPMD, are by far the best duo or group in rap history. Their first album, "Strictly Business" is probably one of the most influencial hip hop albums in history. While the Erick & Parrish showed their innovative "laid back" style of rapping, at the same time, they became the first artist to sample, mostly of Roger & Zapp. And to this day, hip hop artists even remake or take ideas that EPMD put out on this album. For example, the Alkaholiks 1993 single "Only When I'm Drunk" sampled the whole beat of "It's My Thing", as well as Nas' 1999 single "Nastradamas" contains the same sound and beat as "Let the funk Flow". This album paved the way for such rappers as "A Tribe Called Quest", who aren't afraid to admit that their favorite artists are EPMD. Erick and Parrish were truly making dollars on this album, which went Platinum without any radio play or music videos. This album is by far the best I own.

Oh yes, EPMD are all about chillin' like villains. This album is so different from most albums released in the "golden age" of rap. The music is laid-back, soulful and funky. They spit the dopest rhymes in their signature monotone flow, and make it seem like child's play. Their style was far different than anyone else's when it came to east coast rap. Everyone else delivered rhymes with such buildup and hype, while these guys turned their rhymes out as if they were talking directly to you in their everyday voice.

1988 was definitely THE year for rap and hip-hop, and this album is no exception. Tracks like "Strictly Business," "Let the Funk Flow," and "You Gots to Chill" were hip-hop anthems then, just as they are today. The latter featuring obvious samples, Zapp's "More Bounce to the Ounce" and Kool & the Gang's "Jungle Boogie," linked together with tight battle rhymes and very sweet production. There are great samples sprinkled throughout the album, including Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff" on the title track.

"Strictly Business" is one of my favorite old-school rap albums, because it's so different from the norm. Their irresistible rhymes, and their free-flowing rhythm will keep your head nodding through the entire album.

A lot of classic albums have a difficult time withstanding the test of time. N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton" was revolutionary for its time, but does it really hold weight today? The Sugarhill Gang carried hip-hop into the mainstream, but is "Rapper's Delight" anymore than a novelty track in this century? Even masterpieces from Eric. B & Rakim can seem dated at times, not because of Rakim's vocals, which are smooth as always, but Eric B.'s production even can even be difficult to fully appreciate in today's hip-hop culture. The list goes on, and while these albums are most-definitely classics, they seem obsolete in certain aspects from a fan of modern hip-hop's perspective.

Some albums are timeless, though; Eazy-E's Eazy-Duz-It, Slick Rick's The Adventures of Slick Rick, Ultramagnetic MC's Critical Beatdown, and of course, EPMD's seminal classic, Strictly Business, is just as fresh today as it was two decades ago; perhaps even more so in the stagnant market certain areas of hip-hop today are enduring. Why does this album preserve so well in today's fickle hip-hop society?

Production which is unmatched by even some of the most-advanced producers today, and flows on par with your favorite emcee. Make no doubt about it, this is some of the dopest production you'll find on any album in hip-hop's extensive history, and it still a landmark for sampling in hip-hop music. The flows and rhymes? Far ahead of their time. Parrish has one of the smoothest flows this side of Big L and C.L. Smooth, while Erick Sermon has a thick-tongued New York accent, which is just as gruff as it is infectious. Their rhymes? Few people were kicking knowledge like EPMD back in '88; they set the precedents for emcees like GZA, Mood, and AZ who drop science in a mellow, and serene manner.

From start to finish, this album is tighter than nearly everything you're gonna find on the market; the samples are beautifully chosen, the rapping is elegant, and articulate, and the overall product is an album that even a hardcore hip-hop detractor would have to give props to. Not only a landmark in hip-hop, but a landmark in music; EPMD are true legends in the game.

this is one of those albums I could review in hundreds of thousands of words because I like it that much. but no matter how much I type, you still won't be able to experience this kind of music unless you listen to it for yourself.

"it's my thing" is undoubtedly one of, if not the single best hip-hop songs ever. everyone in hip-hop has taken a piece from that song, from the likes of dr. dre and snoop dogg ("next episode") to the roots and mos def ("double trouble") to tha alkaholiks ("only when I'm drunk", uses the same beat) to jay-z ("aint no n***a", also uses the same beat). the lyrics are hardcore and erick sermon completely destroys the track with his funky samples and lyrical firepower, and pmd is the lead hitter on the track with battle raps that are just as good.

if you ever listen to old school rap stations a lot, you'll notice that epmd, big daddy kane and slick rick get the most rotations. that's because they made some of the best hip-hop of all time. 1988 is easily the best year in hip-hop (only 93-95 can compare), and these guys are living proof.

What can I say about one of the greatest Hip Hop releases to ever appear before us? EPMD created a style of pure Hip Hop that until this day has been used as a template for hits (just check Nas who used the 'Let the Funk Flow' beat verbatim to launch his Nastradamus album in '99). In '88 they stepped on the scene as if they already owned Hip Hop. Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith compliment each other perfectly as THE seminal rap duo paving the way for modern rappers. Their unique brand of boasting and stylistic party pumping have since become the industry standard in rap. Never has it been done better. The beats will exite non Hip Hop heads as well as seasoned afficionados when it comes right down to it... A must buy for Hip Hop archivists as well as current seekers of excellence in the medium. Along with Big Daddy Kane and Eric B & Rakim, this is perfect representative Hip Hop of the best that was recorded in the late 80's and early 90's...or ever!

"Relax your mind, let your conscience be free and get down to the sound of EPMD," quoted Erick Sermon in the classic hip hop song, "You Gots To Chill". This album made a mark during rap's Golden Era. During the days of clearance free sampling, EPMD were no strangers of taking advantage of it. The album starts off with the no-nonsense title track sampled from Eric Clapton's version of Bob Marley's song, "I Shot The Sheriff". It has the same BPM (Beats Per Minute) as their first single, "It's My Thing" which enables them to cleverly sample their vocals from the track. Even though it has been a decade and half ago, it left EPMD heads wondering, "Why Eric Clapton sued them for the song?"

It's one of those questions that maybe left unanswered. Moving on to the party track, "I'm Housin'". The funky track sampled from Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady". When I hear "Rock Steady" now, I always think EPMD. Anyways, this track showcases their tag team flow and also, sampled PMD's vocal from "It's My Thing." It also shows they weren't afraid to take any chances. The next track, "Let The Funk Flow" cleverly sampled the Beastie Boys' "Slow and Low" with the J.B.'s "The J.B. Monorail". The track is timeless retrospectively speaking and it still sounds fresh on this day. Nas used the same beat to kick off his Nastradamus album back in 1999.

The next track, "You Gots To Chill" is one of the tracks that stand out. Regardless of the album being in the five-mic status, Erick and Parrish gave an encore presentation of this song when they performed in Texas. The oft-sampled "More Bounce To The Ounce" along with the oft-sampled "Jungle Boogie", their rhymes, and use of the echo chamber sonically pushed the envelope. "It's My Thing" opens up with sounds of a helicopter lifted from Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and knocks you into the Whole Darn Family's "Seven Minutes of Funk" sample. This track is essential for any old school party.

Now, for "You're A Customer", another timeless track embedded with samples. Not too many EPMD heads know this. The neck snapping drumbeat and bass line were lifted from ZZ Topp's "Cheap Sunglasses". Throughout the nineties, P. Diddy was notoriously known for ripping the beat for Jodeci and more recently the drum pattern was used for Mario Winans's "I Don't Wanna Know." The uncharacteristically next track, "The Steve Martin". It's basically saying, "Hey, they gave you the Pee-Wee Herman, the Biz Markie, and we're going to give you the Steve Martin. Let's get them, Steve!"

They jump back into character with "Get Off The Bandwagon". They're letting wanna-be-rappers know the rap field is nothing to play with. This is one of the tracks in their catalogue that sounds eerily true on this day. The next track, "DJ K La Boss" is rather decent but their first DJ, K La Boss cannot hold the candle to EPMD's current DJ, DJ Scratch. I'm willing to bet that DJ Scratch can do this track more justice while trying to escape out of some handcuffs. The last track, the first in the "Jane" series, is about a fictional girl who is not so innocent. The mood is nicely set over a Joe Tex sample with a blend of the late Rick James's "Mary Jane." Overall, this is EPMD at their prime. Excellent beats, excellent interaction between Erick and Parrish, excellent album. The blueprint of the west coast sound!

I got this on cassette back in '90 & was still a bit late. Erick & Parish, bar none, were the greatest rap duo, ever, & this is one of the top 5 hip hop albums of all time. My h.s. buds & I would just randomly spit & finish lyrics from this album like when E says: "Enough with this. Let's get on to something better. & If it gets warm take off the hot sweater. & if you want some water, I get you a cup. & if you don't want it, then burn the hell up. I'm tellin' you now boy, you ain't jack. Talkin' much junk like Mr. T at your back. But he's not. So don't act cute. 'Cuz if you do you in hot pursuit." Or when P says: "...they kept comin' just like I figure, so I stepped back & started sprayin' ni**az," "from NY straight talk, America's best. Cold wild Long Island is where we rest,"or, "playing me too close, like two dogs mating." Also, if you ever get the chance, check out the video for "Strictly Business," a masterpiece. A college friend from LI, said he ocaisionally use to see them around his way, & would just be in awe.

I was able to catch EPMD at a nightclub after Unfinished Business dropped. What a show. They came out free stylin', then did their thing with a minimum of extra talking. (I walked out of WU act, just because they wouldn't stop talking & trying to shop all their products).

For all the youngsters swearing buy today's crews, one question.Why can't I get no scratchin' nomore? Hip hop is more than producer & mc. The dj had stuff to prove too. A must have, along w/ their second "Unfinished Business," for any rap aficionado.

There isn't a whole lot I can add to the reviews that have been written already. We all know this album is classic material. This album came out when rappers didn't have to clear samples, so cats were sampling like crazy and this album was as well put together as any other album that came out in 1988. Here it is 18 years later and this album is just as dope and fresh now as it was when it was rockin' the clubs and the streets in '88. The album doesn't sound dated as far as beats (the slang is way dated though) and is still heavily sampled even today.

I usually reserve some space in my reviews for flaws, but there are none on this album. This LP is excellent in all areas.

Like I said before, this album is without a doubt classic material. You won't ever hear albums like this being made anymore. The heavy handed sampling is unlike anything you've heard before (with the exception of Paul's Boutique and a handful of others). There are very few landmark albums in hip hop.......this is one of them. If you don't have this in your collection, then your collection is suspect. Go get this A.S.A.P. if you haven't already.

Standout Tracks: You Gots To Chill, Let The Funk Flow, Jane, I'm Housin', It's My Thing (My Favorite), Strictly Business, and You're A Customer

theres not much i could say about this album that hasnt been said already, theres solid beats galore, and the ryhmes flow smoothly. i highly recommend this album.