The Show [Original Soundtrack] [PA]

Performer: Original Soundtrack
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: Producers: Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz, Sonee Seeza (track 2); Easy Mo Bee (track 4); Ron Lawrence, Derrick Angeliti (track 5); Erick Sermon (track 7); DJ U-Neek (track 9); Sean "Puffy" Combs, Nasheim Myrick (track 10); Isaac 2 Isaac, Joey "Run" Simmons, Desmond "Divine" Houston (track 12); Domino (track 13); L. "Sleepy" Turner, H. "Hank" Thomas (track 14); Prodeje (track 16); Jam Master Jay, Anthony "T-Funk" Pearyer (track 17); Dave Swang (track 18); Warren G. (track 20); L.L. Cool J, Tyrone Fyffe (track 21); John Davis (track 22); Andrew Massop, Marc Pomeroy (track 24). Engineers: Don Elliot (track 2); Eric Lynch (track 4); T-Bird (track 5); Dave Greenberg (track 7); Tony Maserati, Rob Paustian (track 10); Andre Booth, Paul Augerinos (track 12); Bob Tucker (track 13); Al Singleton (track 14); Sean Freehill (track 16); Anthony Cox (track 17); Dave Arron (track 18); Greg Geitzenauer (track 20); Jabari Palmer (track 21); George Karras (track 22); Marc Pomeroy (track 24); John Harris (track 25). The much-anticipated soundtrack to Russell Simmons' THE SHOW unites artists from all over the hip-hop nation to contribute music and thoughts on their first love: hip-hop. The film is the first feature documentary devoted to the life and truths of the hip-hop culture, and its soundtrack attempts to define what the music is all about. With a dose of rap, R&B and reggae, THE SHOW is musically diverse, and the idea that hip-hop is interwoven in the everyday life of its followers is inherent to nearly every song. THE SHOW marks the return of some rap MIAs. Onyx foreshadow their coming in the nine-five with "Live!!!." Suga, formerly known as Sweet Tee, donates "What's Up Star?," a party groove sure to be the new anthem for female macks. The only other female artist featured on the collection is the Queen of hip-hop soul, Mary J. Blige. On "Everyday It Rains," Blige sports her usual street-influenced vocals over a loop of the Isley Brothers' "It's Your Thing." THE SHOW is at its best on the Erick Sermon-produced "How High," which combines the Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man with Redman. Appearances from LL Cool J and Slick Rick fill the old school requirement, while tracks like Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's "Everyday Thang" and South Central Cartel's "Sowhatusayin" add the gangstas to the mix. Surprisingly, there's only one live track, and it comes from Brooklyn's finest, The Notorious B.I.G., who rocks the crowd with "Me And My Bitch." The song is off his platinum debut, and, although it is only a brief moment of a 27-track compilation, Biggie still manages to nearly steal THE SHOW. Personnel: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Slick Rick (vocals); Ricky Rause, Mike Sims (guitar); Henry Thomas (keyboards, percussion); Andre Booth (keyboards); Carl "Butch" Small (percussion); Derrick Angeliti, Faith Evans, Anita Porter, LL Cool J, Mary Brown, Mary J. Blige (background vocals). Audio Mixers: D'Anthony Johnson; Andrew Massop; Donovan the Dirt Biker; Marc Pomeroy; Dave Swang; T-Bird; Eric Lynch; Ricky Helair; Kevin Thomas; Andre Booth; Rich Keller; Rob Seifert; Troy Hightower; Bob Brockman. Recording information: 24-7 Recording Studios, Jamaica, NY; Blue Palm Studios, CA; Joon Plum Studios, New York, NY; Larrabee Studios West; LGK Studios, Leonia, NJ; Marc Of The Drew Studios, FL; Paramount Recording Studios; Philadelphia Armory; Platinum Island, New York, NY; Rockin' Reel Recordings, Long Island, NY; Sorcerer SOund, New York, NY; Studio Unicorn, Redding, CT; The Hit Factory, New York, NY; Track Record, LA. A kicking CD represented by heavies and newbies. You have everything from the socially significant raps of 2 Pac's on "My Block" to the barroom bravado strut of "What's Up Star" by Suga. Other standout numbers are by LL Cool J, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Tray D/So Sentrelle, Issac 2 Issac, Treach, and the Dove Shack. Excellent for listeners who get bored listening to the same artist; the 27 tracks are a helluva bargain. ~ Andrew Hamilton

Vibe (9/95, p.172) - "...adds up to an accurate depiction of what hip hop--and its nastier alter ego, the rap industry--is about these days: prepackaged musical formulas, creatively dead subgenres, refreshing comebacks,...stray words of wisdom, and the occasional gemstone moments that...sustain the dedication of both casual and die-hard fans..." The Source (9/95, p.98) - 3.5 Mics - Dope - "...THE SHOW gets off to a furious start....it might actually spark another classic or two in Def Jam's long line of priceless tunes..." NME (Magazine) (9/16/95, p.48) - 8 (out of 10) - "...what is hip-hop in the '90s?....there used to be mad shouting, now there's mad murmuring and a bubble bath '70s keyboard sample....there's Warren G doing his extra cool hustler bit, some LA gangstas defending their corner, A Tribe Called Quest making like wise oldsters....as good an answer to the big question as you'll get on one record..."

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