Customer Reviews

Unleashed

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

 

 

3 years after their slept-on classic debut "Fruits of Nature," the UMC's Haas G & Kool Kim return a little older and well...alot harder, I guess you could say. In '91 it was "UMC's is a new way of being," and in '94 it was "UMC's is a new way of catchin' wreck," & in a few of the tracks they refer to themselves as "The Ill Demonic Clique." That's quite a difference.

This album was received w/ lots criticism because the U-men seemingly committed the ultimate Hip-Hop faux-pas of crossing-over.
First of all; the album covers. "FON's" cover was HG & KK smiling in bright green and orange shirts, doin' a happy dance. The album cover screams happy, fun Hip-Hop. "Unleashed's" cover is dark, very dark. HG & KK are rockin' black jackets and are scowling while they jump-kick at the camera. It looks very intimidating. I have the two albums side-by-side in a cd book, and the difference is day & night, but mostly it's quite funny...but hey 3 years is a long time when you're a teenager/young adult.

This album was slandered because everyone expected, "FON" round 2, but instead got the complete opposite. It's a simple equation really, take De La Soul for example: After "3 Feet..." they were tired of being mislabeled as hippies, so their 2nd album "De La is Dead," was all about proving they are NOT hippies and that they are a legitimate rap crew who is to be taken seriously (and they did a perfect job). Same thing with the U-Men, they were labeled as soft, so they wanted to prove that they weren't. The first song on this album is "Time to Set it Straight," see what I'm sayin'?

Now for the album itself. I love it, but not as much as the 1st. Half the album has a dark, hard vibe, while the other half sounds like the UMC's we all know and love. This is a hugely respectable move in my eyes, because most crews in the same boat would completely abandon their roots - but the UMC's stayed true. It's a good thing too because the dark songs are dope; same amazing flows, only harder beats and dirtier lyrics...but they will never do better than what they do best - fun, bouncy Hip-Hop that makes you smile.

The production is still very dope, the lyrics and flows are still very on point, the only flaw in this album is that they sound a little outta their element when they're comming hard. However, the best track on the album is #8 "Some Speak Ill Thoughts," which is an incredible homage to what people are REALLY thinking, but would never speak aloud. The whole album is dope, you can listen to it from front to back.

Bottom Line: Some may say they sold-out, some may say they crossed-over - I say that they just grew up. If you like real Hip-Hop, peep this. If you like their first album, peep this w/ an open mind. I love this album and would recommend it to anyone. 4 stars, Peace.

Before Hassan became a solid producer, and Kool Kim transformed to Nyoil and started being political, these two guys were part of a group called UMC's (Note: Not to be confused with Ultramagnetic MC's...although they were both signed to the same label at one point). These two guys had dope songs such as "Blue Cheese" back in 1990. But heading up with their sophomore album Unleashed, the question is can these guys stand up to the test of time with this realease.

Determine that, when you have a songs that range from positive, such as "Evil Wayz", to negative, like "Time To Set It Straight". The answer to that question is somewhat (which warrants a "somewhat" score). The problem is that not too much here standout. Sure the production here is good, but Haas and Kim every once in a while show themselves as good rappers. With weak hooks (ie "Hit The Track") and swing-and-a-miss punchlines on the weak "Ill Demonic Clique" makes this album seem kinda bland.

The good thing about this is that there are some songs here that are great. As mentioned before "Evil Wayz" is dope. "Speak Ill Thoughts" would be another standout in my opinion. "How It Gotta Be" isn't a bad song either. Also, I mentioned before, the production here is good enough to keep your attention to this album here. With that being said, Unleashed really isn't a bad album, but don't expect for it to blow your mind either. In a nutshell: Never heard of this group? Start with Fruits of Nature first. Peace.

Lyrics: C+
Production: B
Guest Appearances: C
Musical Vibes: B-

Top 5 Tracks:
1. Evil Wayz
2. Speak Ill Thoughts
3. How It Gotta Be
4. Staten Island Come First
5. Can You Feel It

I can't believe that I am only the second person to submit a review for this album, ah well. Unleashed, is a step on the more rugged Staten Island sound, rather than the fun, bouncy sound Haas G & Kool Kim displayed on "fruits of nature". However, when I say that do not be put off thinking that this is a completely rough & rugged album, because it's not at all. Filled with nice jazzy/funky samples and breaks, the beats are far from just heavy bass and non-existent melodies. In addition, the flows are still immaculate as ever, enough to make you keep hitting the rewind button, fiending for some more. Fans of that Early to Mid-90's freshness and originality will love this album, and The UMC's. This album is an extension to the fact that 1993/1994 was the best year for Hiphop! Whether you agree with that or not, check this album out if you consider yourself to know your ish about Hiphop, cop this and pretend you had it all along. PEACE

Lyrics - 5/5
Beats - 5/5
X Factor - 3.5/5
Replay Value - 4/5

If you found this at all helpful, check out my other reviews

The UMC's have always and will be my favorite hip hop duo. Ever since "Fruits Of Nature" was released in 1991. Hass G and Kool Kim believe it or not, debuted 2 years before Wu-Tang Clan(Staten Island's claim to fame) came out with the 36 Chambers album. Now there are many differences between 1994's Unleashed and 1991's Fruits...anyone who has followed this group...such as the other reviewers...noticed that "FON" was a happy go lucky album....full of happy raps and happy moments....checked the major differences in both album covers. According to Kool Kim and Hass G, there motivation for making this album was because of financial strain and they felt that the only way they were going to keep up with the times(hardcore hip hop)...was to make a hardcore album. Thus, this album comes with a parental advisory sticker. Where as with "FON", this album had about no cussing in it whatsover(Will Smith anyone??). Kim and Hass come out more harder(with looks and raps alike). Both MC's nowadays call this their "cursed" album because of the bad responses this album received because too many were looking forward to another "Blue Cheese" type track. This is a lot more edgier....the posse cut "Ill Demonic Clique" will make you say to yourself....WOW...THAT'S DIFFERENT. My favorites are "Can You Feel It", "Time To Set It Straight" and Some Speak Ill Thoughts"....however, just like FON...I don't skip any track. You decide. By the way, the UMC's as of 2006, have reunited and are currently working on a new album.

.......you can tell they were feeling the pressure from either wild pitch or just the vibe of hip hop. the timberland, backpack, ski goggles, and dutches were beginning to rule east coast hip hop but that just did not seem to be their style. to me, they were more de la, tribe called quest, jungle brother, L.O.N.S. they seemed to be trying to be more nasish, redmanish, das efxish, than being who they were. but that being said....they had no problem fitting that mold. so i give 3 stars. remember when mc lyte went from poor georgie to ruffneck??? that is kind of what they did.