Customer Reviews

XII

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

 

 

Aside from the two ballads ("You're My Candy Sweet" and "Love in Perfect Harmony,") this would be a pretty unremarkable album if it were not for one fact. It gave the world "King Tim III"-the first rap record! Coming a few months before the "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugar Hill Gang, "King Tim" was a tough, funky workout that owes more than a little to James Brown's "There Was a Time." So in a way, this otherwise mediocre album changed the world of R&B forever-an event not noticed by many people at the time.

Yes 'XII' is the Fatback album that contains "King Tim III",now well known as the first rap record to chart,although it was never acknowledged for years. The groove in and of itself is one of the very strongest slices of funk Fatback ever laid down and that fact is often forgotton within the tunes importance to hip-hop historians.The funny thing is this album offers so much more,even in terms of history then just that.Historically this is generally an important album for the band because 'XII' really finds Fatback looking to connect strong to a highly crafted,more melodic side of their nature. The grooves are still tight as the come but,for one rather then having another album featuring funk here and disco there this one mixes the two together with wonderfully satisfying results."Your My Candy Sweet" is the first single released from this album and is a perfect example of what I am talking about-it's got a mildly pop-disco beat with a funky rhythm and catchy vocals. For it's title "Disco Bass" is among the funkier tunes to be found here and I personally owe most of that to John Flippin's bass soloing being turned up in the mix so high-whatever it was it's an amazing tune."Gimme That Sweet,Sweet Lovin'" is a nice pop-funk song that sounds cute on the surface but really isn't. "Disco Queen" is another example of a funky pop tune with the title "disco" in it and "Love In Perfect Harmony" slows down the mood for a sweet soul ballad. 'XII' would begin a period of Fatback really look to satisfy it's poppier sensabilities and that aspect would again be explored on their next album Hot Box but that's another review entirely. Anyway all fans of this band should definately own this album-it should also be one of the very first albums by the them you'll want to have.And Fatback have many albums that are worth it too.