This Is My First Album Music Cd

Kwest Tha Madd Lad - This Is My First Album

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This Is My First Album      Artist : Kwest tha Madd Ladd      List Price : $15.98 USD        ProductGroup: Music      Release Date : 1996-04-09      Studio : Warner Bros / Wea      Label : Warner Bros / Wea      Avg. Customer Rating : (5 reviews)

Reviews Customer Reviews for This Is My First Album      Who would have thought "This..." would also be his LAST album?      Rating:      Some albums are great not because everything about them is perfect, but because the overall vibe and feel of the record is. Kwest tha Madd Lad's "This Is My First Album" falls into this category. With one of the few rap albums released by Rick Rubin's American Recordings, the New Yorker debuted with an absolutely charming LP in 1996. Kwest is an immensely talented MC, but for all his talent he has even more charisma. Kwest can freestyle with the very best, and he's a wonderful storyteller, weaving intricate plots in and out of his experiences for the listener. On the mic, he sounds like a smoother, more laidback Redman with a thick New York accent. Immediately, he becomes so endearing to the listener, with his happy-go-lucky wit and everyman perspective. Kwest is obsessed with women, and many of his stories concern humorous female encounters and his own fortune with the ladies. But he's an excellent battle rapper as well, and on his freestyle tracks you get a taste of his true ability. When he tells stories about a day in his neighborhood, it's so likable because he sounds so average; he buys sneakers at V.I.M. and eats lunch at White Castle. Production on "This Is My First Album" is very simple, and the music takes a bare-bones, minimalist approach. The spotlight never leaves Kwest, so the beats basically exist as mere background music. There are only a couple of subpar tracks on the disc, and a lot of silly skits, some better than others. "This Is My First Album" might have been a real classic, but Kwest ran into label problems. He disputed over the tracklist with the label, and although recording began in '94, it wasn't released until well into '96. It sounds a year or two dated for '96, and that's exactly why. If it had a more timely release, I wonder if we might still hear Kwest's name today. In any event, "This Is My First Album" is a hilarious, entertaining ride that I highly recommend. Following an intro of a woman's orgasm (tellingly titled "Everyone Always Said I Should Start My Album off With a Bang"), the disc opens with "101 Things to Do While I'm With Your Girl." Here, Kwest chronicles his meeting multiple women, and directs raps at their men, saying "Don't take it personal, but I'm tappin' your miss." He kicks clever lines such as "Last time you were in some a** the doctor screamed, 'I see the head'." I love "I Met My Baby at V.I.M." This track made me smile; as anyone in the New York area will tell you, V.I.M. is the spot for discount outlet clothes. This sense of regionalism might only appeal to a certain audience, but the charming storytelling and ironic soulfulness will appeal to all. Perhaps the most impressive song, however, is the live pure freestyle cut "Blase Blah (Off tha Head)." Kwest kicks one hilarious rhyme after another ("Want to hear something funny? I'm so skinny, I send my picture to Somalia and they send me money"). The smooth-as-silk "Lubrication" is another highlight, and the more upbeat but still smooth "What's the Reaction?" is similarly nice. "Daddiez Home" recounts instances where love sessions were ruined by angry fathers, and it's quite funny. He self-edits his own rhymes on "Skin Care." The only track I really didn't like was "Butta-few-co"; this one might have been better off left in his stack of shelved recordings, the subject matter's a little distasteful. The album's best moments follow. The sprawling, catchy "Disk and Dat" is great fun, and "125 Pennies for Your Thoughts" is a great story of a minor theft that leads to a huge debacle. My favorite song is the wonderful "Herman's Head." This song is perfect, and shows Kwest at his finest. Telling the story of a childhood friend who gets into drugs and eventually dies for it, Kwest yarns a tragic tale but maintains a goodnatured vibe. I love the way each verse ends, with a reference to the state (mental or physical) of "Herman's head." Even the beat is excellent. "Bludawnmeyesneekhuz" (that's "blood on my sneakers") is is great, as it's both thoughtful and humorous. "This Is My First Album" was underpromoted and never reached more than a regional underground audience, but those who did hear it loved it. Although it goes for high prices today, I suggest a pickup if it comes your way, because Kwest is a first-class talent and this album just has a great feel. Just this year, a disc of Kwest's shelved tracks, These Are My Unreleased Recordings, surfaced, so here's hoping that this LP gets a proper re-release. Until then, keep your eyes open for this lost gem.     Customer Reviews for This Is My First Album Cd      Perfect Example Of Industry Rule #4,080 (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4.0 stars)      Rating:      That title couldn't have been more accurate ("Industry rule #4,080, record companies are always shady"). Kwest Tha Madd Lad, is a person who I had no idea who he was until I came on amazon, recorded his album "This Is My First Album" which was supposed to come out in 1994, but American Records and Warner Brothers pushed it back to '96 (in fact I read in a past article that they screwed him over big time). And from what I understood, he recorded over 50 tracks and none of them that he wanted to be on this album ended up on here. Luckly I was able to get my hand on this album, and I'm glad I did. I had to let this album grow on me, because of the rhymes from left field. Like one of the reviewers stated, Kwest rhymes about some funny stuff, especially about girls. "101 Things..." is a funny track in my opinion. My favorite is "I Met My Baby Mama At V.I.M." where he claims to meet a chick at what I'm assuming V.I.M. is a discount clothing store. "Lubrication" and "Daddy's Home" are other funny stories about him and females. The latter track is what happends when he is in a house with a girl and her parents come home (ever been caught in that situation, it's scary lol). When he doesn't rhyme about women, he can truly spit. "Blase Blah (Off Tha Head)" and "125 Pennies" are some of the tracks that shows off his true lyrical ability. "What's The Reaction" falls into that category as well. Even the skits are funny like "Day In The Life Of My A**pipe". Missteps on this album are also floating around. Hearing "Butta-Few-Co" could make you stomach turn on what hes talking about (plus the hook on that song sucks). I hope that song falls under that disclaimer in the linear notes on the album. "Skin Care" is forgettable in my opinion (note to Kwest: Don't verbally edit your own words, they make the song sound sloppy). The production here is solid, but not too outstanding (think of Ras Kass' Soul on Ice or Canibus' Can-I-Bus). Overall Kwest's first LP is great. Unfortunately this is one of those albums that received zero promotion behind it. I can't help but wondering what he's doing nowadays. This would have been his only album until about a couple of months ago These Are My Unreleased Recordings was released. This album is out of print too, and prices are high, but I wouldn't pay no more than 30 for this. But if you get it, you'll realize you have a gem on your hands. Peace. Lyrics: A- Production: B+ Guest Appearances: N/A Musical Vibes: B+ Top 5 Tracks: 1. What's The Reaction 2. I Met My Baby Moms At V.I.M. 3. 125 Pennies For Your Thoughts 4. Daddy's Home 5. Blase Blah (Off Tha Head) Honorable Mention: 1. 101 Things to Do While I'm With Your Girl 2. Lubrication Update (1/30): I just read in a recent interview that he plans on releasing more and more unreleased tracks for his fans, but he doesn't plan on recording any more new material. So expect a lot more.