Take a Look Around [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Masta Ace

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 5, 2007)
• Original Release Date: July 24, 1990
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Traffic Entertainment/ Cold Chillin
• ASIN: B000L42HVU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #113,816 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
With an impressive resume in rap that includes membership in the legendary Juice Crew (along with Marley Marl, MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Roxanne Shante, and Craig G) and a verse on the 1988 classic posse cut "The Symphony", Brooklyn's Masta Ace is truly an underappreciated rap veteran and underground luminary. Two years after "The Symphony", Ace released his debut album "Take a Look Around" on rap's version of the Motown label, Cold Chillin' Records. The album spawned a hit single and video for "Me and the Biz" which popped up on many popular rap video shows in the late 90s for nostalgia's sake and featured the now infamous Biz Puppet. The album has Marley Marl's keen production aura all over it, and features choice cuts from D.J. Mister Cee, Big Daddy Kane's DJ, who in later years would be The Notorious B.I.G.'s DJ and a well-known New York radio personality. "Take A Look Around" would prove to be Ace's only album released on Cold Chillin', but it was only the beginning of his colorful career in music. He would go on to release "Slaughtahouse" in 1993 and "Sittin' On Chrome" in 1995, both on Delicious Vinyl and both under the moniker 'Masta Ace Incorporated.' Later, he would release "Disposable Arts" on Yosumi Records in 2002, and "A Long Hot Summer" in 2004 on M3 Macmil Music. Although Master Ace's style would change significantly with his subsequent releases, he always brought albums to the table that appealed to a wide range of Hip Hop listeners. Cold Chillin' Records and Traffic Entertainment Group proudly present Master Ace's "Take A Look Around", available for the first time as a double disc set, including the original album, and a plethora of substantial bonus material, from artwork to audio. With all the songs being digitally re-mastered, and all the additional photography being supplied by the man who took the photos (George DuBose), this project has been thought out, done right and handled with care, and we hope you enjoy it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Heartfelt Rap Albums Ever!!!, March 17, 2004

By	Funknasty (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Take a Look Around (Audio CD)

Unfortunately, rap music this vital is all but extinct in the shallow world of hip hop today.I first heard this debut from Ace when it dropped in mid 1990.I played the cassete over and over everywhere I went. I recently picked it up on CD, and it sent me back 14 years in time when I last heard it. I can more appreciate the wide range of topics and emotions in the verses Ace spits from the heart, now that I'm older. In nearly every song, Ace creates an atmosphere through his words and the dope music that takes you to the scene of the rhyme. Being only 22 at the time of it's release, Ace has a very mature and confident demeanor throughout this record. Songs like "Brooklyn Battles", "The Other Side of Town", and the title track offer an emotional perspective of everyday life in the streets of Brooklyn. Though much of it is bleak, Ace also tends to keep a more positive outlook as well. In the title track he acts part ghetto informant and part motivational speaker, discussing the issues that face the increasingly less fortunate in America. His wisdom in this song, among others, seems stronger than any of the dribble coming out of the mouths of this nation's leaders, right or left.Back to the music, "Me and the Biz" was the biggest single off the record and had a classic video to boot. For those who don't know, the video featured Ace hanging out with a lifesize Biz Markie marrionet(puppet)! Ace is the ventriliquist for the song and video. It seemed that Ace had one upped his friend, the reigning prince clown of rap! Probabally one of my favorite rap videos of all time! Definitely one of the most original. "Music Man", also a single,sums up Ace's personality and style in the rap game in one funky-ass party jam. "Together", actually a single from late 89', takes you on Ace's journey towards success and meaning in life. He tells the listeners who are striving towards their goals in life "we'll take a drink from the fountain of success, yo let's all climb the mountain together" Wow, let's see if 50 Cent or Eminem can match that. In actuality Master Ace is probabally one of the most down to earth mc's who ever ripped a mic. I cannot say enough great things about the CD, you have to hear it for yourself. You will be wiser and more ambitious in life after hearing it. Probablly the best rap album of 1990, and in the top 20 Rap Albums of all time. Also of note is Ace's last album,"Disposable Arts", probabally the best rap record of 2001. If you are a fan of the REAL HIP HOP, and appreciate some intellageance in your lyrics, then Masta Ace is your man. If you're looking for the ho's, the blunts, and the bling blings, then you probabally got here by accident. Peace to all true hip hop lovers! I'm outta here.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masta Ace....SIMPLY THE BEST(100 stars), March 7, 2001

By	Carl Caola "blah" (Somewhere) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Take a Look Around (Audio CD)

Masta Ace is the most clever, intelligent rapper in the game HANDS DOWN! The fact his music over the years for the most part has gone unnoticed is a tragic episode. Not only does he lift rap to a respected art form but his clever ryhmes and teaching abilities is a asset to us all. The album SlaughterHouse is my favorite. Ace deserves more reconizing from the hip hop world as a whole. Unfortunelty greatness is never truly appreciated until the bitter end. Thanx 2 Ace real hip hop still exsists today in 2000 . Cool Carl Cee (the Italaian fUnKyChilD)representing from Dirty Jersey 100 stars if I could

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Juice Crew All Star , April 5, 2008

By	Cory (The Genius) - See all my reviews

You are about ti witness one of the greatest to ever touch a mic. With Marley Marl and on the boards and Masta Ace on the mic you should already know its a classic. This album is dope from start to finish. Music Man and I Got Ta start the album with a almost funky type sound. Letter To The Better reminds me of some Big Daddy Kane style rap, while Me & The Biz is a commercial hip hop classic. The Other Side Of Town would be one of my favorite tracks from the album showing a gritty side of Masta Ace which is present in some of his later work. There is good story telling on this track as well speaking about the ghetto in a view that does not glorify it. Ace Iz Wild sounds like a classic signature for a cold chillin artist. Four Minus Three should take you back to the first time you heard Masta on the mic. Cant Stop The Bumrush and Movin On seam to almost flow togther. Brooklyn Battles is another classic joint with a nice laid back fell. Maybe Next Time takes it back to a more funky style, good song to blast. Postin High feels like an oldschool summer jam which all old school fans well appreciate. As I Reminisce has a dope jazzy feel and reminds you how rap used to be dope because then bling rappers killed it. Take A Look Around and Together continues the funky while Ace kills flava.

Lyrics A
Beats -A

if you have the chance to get this album dont sleep and get it right away before you miss your chance.