Unfinished Business [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

EPMD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Priority Records
• ASIN: B000003B7D
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,483 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #20 in	Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Old School
  #92 in	Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > East Coast

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
After dropping 1988's classic debut album, Strictly Business, doubters and playa-haters wondered whether the legendary duo of Erick "E-Double" Sermon and Parrish "PMD" Smith had anything left for a follow-up. Striking back with 1989's excellent Unfinished Business, EPMD avoided the sophomore jinx by sticking closely to their winning, bass-heavy formula. Booming "jeep-beat" production and severely laid-back drawls highlighted their career, and the formula was perfected on "So Wat Cha Sayin'" and "The Big Payback." Departing temporarily from their upbeat vibe, the duo got serious on "Jane II" and the autobiographical "Please Listen to My Demo." With an easily recognizable clutch of samples, the duo's forte was definitely in rocking parties and making heads nod. Though they tried a little too hard with uncharacteristically soft cuts such as "It's Time 2 Party" and "You Had Too Much to Drink," Unfinished Business is still a great example of hip-hop mastery that could rock dance floors, ghetto blasters, and the suburbs alike. --Hua Hsu

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Second Of Three Straight Classics [Part 2 of 3] (5 Stars), January 4, 2006

By	Norfeest "Yes Yes Y'all" (Washington DC USA) - See all my reviews

I can't speak for anyone else, but after experiencing Strictly Business, I found myself fiendin' for more EPMD tracks. I was getting dressed to go play basketball and then I heard this ill loop resonating from my TV. And there it was.....the video for "So What Cha Sayin". At that point, the album was a must have....no questions asked. No curiousity as to whether or not they could top Strictly Business. No questioning if the product was gonna be uncut and raw. Unfinished Business had to become part of my collection. No ifs, ands, or buts. Remember, this was a time when most of the joints being dropped were straight fire, not like today where 80% of the stuff on the radio is garbage, so chances are it was gonna be dope and I had to be the first kid with the album in my class (I was 12 at the time). Here it is, 17 years later, and this album is still bangin'. Due to a crackdown on sampling and rappers being sued (like Biz Markie, Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince, and many others), EPMD weren't able to use the funk and soul samples as often as they did on Strictly Business. Don't get me wrong, there are still samples on this album, but they weren't as heavy handed this time. The new sound was still totally familiar and definitely dope. The range of subject matter also makes this worth hearing. They cover topics like safe sex (Who's Booty), drunk driving (You Had Too Much To Drink), groupies (It Wasn't Me, It Was The Fame), doubters (So What Cha Sayin'), and of course there are party jams (It's Time To Party) and the typical smashing of wack MCs and a continuation of the Jane story.

As far as flaws and shortcomings, I can't think of any. I would've liked to hear more from DJ Scratch, but that's minor. This album is tight from start to finish.

I don't think there's any question that EPMD is one of the best groups ever to pick up the mic. Unfinished Business is a mus thave LP. Erick and Parrish are one of only a handful of groups to drop three straight classics (A Tribe Called Quest, Outkast, Organized Konfusion, BDP). If you don't have this album, get it now.

Standout Tracks: Strictly Snappin' Necks, Jane II, It Wasn't Me It Was The Fame, Total Kaos, Please Listen To My Demo, So What Cha Sayin', Knick Knack Patty Wack, The Big Payback, It's Time To Party (My Favorite), & Get The Bozack

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My personal favorite EPMD album, 2nd classic in a row!, June 24, 2006

By	The Specialist (Parts Unknown) - See all my reviews

The Green Eyed Bandit and Mic Doc come with the old adage - "If it ain't broke don't fix it". Saying That, Erick's beats are slightly different from Strickly Business' James Brown and Roger samples. Unfinished is more 1989 than SB. Parrish Smith once again is the secret weapon and knockout punch with his wordplay, following in the footsteps of "DMC". My absolute favorite track on here is "Fame". My favorite line on Fame is:

" My father always told me to wise up son, because if you hang out with 9 broke friends you're bound to be the tenth one. So I cut friends off and P went for self, me & Erick Sermon and no one else. Strictly writing def lyrics to my best ability with the crazy imagination as my only utility. Cause MC's around my way brag how def they are, but they work full-time and sharing their mom's car."

Wise words indeed, those words inspired me then and still inspires me to get that paper and follow my own path. Thank Parrish!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Truly my all-time fav. rap group eva (4.5 stars), June 7, 2005

By	Henry Cooper "The One and Only" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

From "So Whatcha Sayin", to "Knick Knack Patty Wack", "The Big Payback", among others. This still remains a classic follow-up since their first debut titled STRICTLY BUSINESS. EPMD were the best rap group in hip-hop history period. I luv them since I was a little kid and I'm still a fan to them no matter what.
If u're into Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Eric B. and Rakim, Gang Starr, Kool Moe Dee, Young MC, Tone Loc, The Sugarhill Gang, etc. you gotta have this. This sure is a kickout!