Customer Reviews

Take a Look Around

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

 

 

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.

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

"Rollin' down the window, yeah I got an air conditioner, but I got the sound I want the whole world to listen ta." And it's Master Ace spittin' out some of his best s**t ever!

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.

In a commerical industry, there is always one who steps out of the crowd and distinuishes themselves as a truly innovative and unique artist.

Master Ace, is truly that. This album is a classic. All songs have a message and are lyrically tight with quality production.

It is a shame that nowadays, the youth only get to hear such a small tidbit of good hip hop.

If you are looking to have a classic collection, get this album.
It is great.

Just listen for yourself and you be the judge. I know anyone yet who didnt get this album.

Thanks, ACE! You will always be remembered in my book as a classic artist.

Man, this album is everything you'd expect it to be. Master Ace spits every lyric like it's his last, each line full of thoughtfullness and cleverness. And the tandem of Marley Marl and Mr. Cee dug up some FONKY basslines to compliment Ace's flow. A must-have album, for beatheads and thinkers alike.

Master (or now Masta) Ace is the only rapper who was in Marley Marl's Juice Crew that was originally from Brooklyn. From what I understood, he won some kind of poetry contest, which landed him a deal with the group, distributed by WB/WEA. Ace's flow is pretty dope, as he explores different kinds of diverse styles here on his debut album. Not only Ace was creative and innovative, he was very intelligent and clever behind the microphone. Couple those aspects with one of the dopest producers around, Marley Marl, along with Mister Cee, one would realize how Take A Look Around is an awesome album, bordering a classic in my opinion (some may already consider it a classic already).

Here Ace explores the styles that he is capable of on the fifteen tracks on the album. "Music Man" is one of the biggest singles he has released, as it carries a nice beat. "I Got Ta" and "Letter To The Better" are very dope tracks that could be head bobbing. "Me & The Biz" another one of the singles released. Here it's kind of weird, because when I first heard this album, I thought Ace and Biz Markie showed excellent chemistry. That was up until I read in the linear notes that it was Ace that imitated Biz's voice (and had a huge puppet of him in the video). Realizing that, that makes the track very entertaining to listen to. Further on the album, another track that points out to me is "Movin' On". It's great, because Ace uses a different kind of flow on this track, which is very enjoyable. "Maybe Next Time" has a very catchy sample, and the lyrics are dope. Following that is the upbeat "Postin' High", where Ace uses a nice friendly storyline. Towards the end, the title track is a standout, were Ace puts his spoken word poetry to work. The album ends with the great "Together", as another highpoint on the album.

Those purchased the reissue on Traffic Entertainment/Cold Chillin' received a bonus disc full of B-Sides, remixes, and other material. Everything included in the bonus disc would benefit a listener as they get to explore remixes and alternate versions of songs. A favorite of mine is "Go Where I Send Thee" (appeared as a B-side for "Movin' On" in 1991) where Ace, Ice U Rock, and U-Neek drop excellent verses. There are quite a few versions of "Music Man". Along with a few instrumentals from other songs, the bonus disc is worth a listen.

Ace's debut holds high regards back in 1990, as one of the best from that year. Take A Look Around has a lot of excellent material that is easily and quickly to be enjoyed by it's listeners. Traffic Entertainment has been reissuing material from artists signed to WEA, and albums that are out of print, and luckily they were album to reissue this one. Unfortunately, they are not in print for long, as with this release. If you plan on getting any of their reissues, you might want to do it as soon as possible (a Kool G. Rap album was just reissued). This version of the album is currently out of print, and I don't see any high prices just yet. I recommend that you obtain this album, especially for the two CD set (or find someway to download "Go Where I Send Thee"). Definitely an essential purchase for any fan of hip hop music. Peace.


Lyrics: A-
Production: A-
Guest Appearances: A-
Musical Vibes: A+

Top 5 Tracks:
1. Go Where I Send Thee (featuring Ice U Rock and U-Neek)
2. Movin' On
3. Together
4. Maybe Next Time
5. Postin' High

Honorable Mention:
1. Me And The Biz
2. Take A Look Around

a good budget priced purchase. i'd say, maybe, one weak track, and that's because of the production ,bbut otherwise it's solid

SITTIN ON CHROME IS ONE OF THE GREATEST RAP ALBUMS EVER, HOW CAN YOU PLAYA HATE ON MASTA ACE LIKE THAT.

HEY WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO MASTA ACE'S SITTIN' ON CHROME? THAT WAS THE BEST ALL TIME RAP CD AND IT'S NOT AVAILABLE ON AMAZON OR ANYWHERE?!?! WHAT'S UP WITH THAT? WE NEED IT BACK!