Gold

Performer: Eric B. & Rakim
Engineer: Elai Tubo; P. Tony; Mark Harder; Lee Anthony; Patrick Adams; Ralph Sutton; Anton Pukshansky; Tony A.; Brian Scheuble
Producer: Eric B.; Michael Mixx'in Moor; Dana G. Smart (Compilation)
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Eric B. & Rakim: Rakim (rap vocals); Eric B. (turntables). Personnel: DJ Cell, Matt Black (scratches). Audio Mixers: Mark Harder; Lee Anthony. Audio Remixers: DJ Mark the 45 King; Gary G. Wix; Hank Shocklee; Michael Mixx'in Moor; Dave Dorrell; Raine Shine; C.J. Mackintosh. Liner Note Author: Tom Terrell. Recording information: A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA; Libra Digital Sound, Long Island City, NY; Power Play Studios, NY; SKip Saylor Recording; The Hit Factory, New York, NY. Photographers: Michael Benabib; David Corio; Cesar Vera. Arranger: Benny Nagari. The contribution DJ/MC duo Eric B. & Rakim made to hip-hop cannot be overestimated. Their two stone-cold classic albums PAID IN FULL and FOLLOW THE LEADER are cornerstones of the movement, and have probably influenced, either directly or indirectly, every turntablist and rapper carrying the hip-hop torch. The double-disc set GOLD does a fine job of culling the highlights from those two releases, including the lyrically fierce "Follow the Leader," the "Funky Drummer"-break-fueled "Lyrics of Fury," and the similarly James Brown-sample-driven "I Ain't No Joke" and "I Know You Got Soul." Kicking off the set, of course, is "Eric B. is President," one of hip-hop's all-time greatest anthems. Disc Two of GOLD mostly concerns itself with remixes, extended versions, and "clean" edits of songs (three remixes appear on the first disc as well). It covers material from the duo's third and fourth releases (1990's LET THE RHYTHM HIT 'EM and 1992's DON'T SWEAT THE TECHNIQUE, respectively), and while Eric B. and Rakim had slipped in popularity by the early '90s, these cuts prove their skills were as sharp as ever. The only drawback to GOLD is that some fans might prefer the original versions over the remixes, but the non-album material will lure die-hard fans, while still representing the duo's impeccable craft.

With a smoother, more hypnotically listenable version of Run-DMC's streetwise forthrightness, Eric B. & Rakim added another layer of depth to 1980s rap music. Among the first acts to articulate a hip-hop worldview, the duo represented the first flowering of rap into a full-blown subculture. Rakim's skill as one of hip-hop's premier wordsmiths carried him over four records of mindblowing rhymes, exemplified by classic singles like "Microphone Fiend" and "Juice (Know the Ledge)." The duo even sparked the long-running trend of hip-hop acts guesting on R&B hits in 1989, with Jody Watley's top ten hit "Friends." The pair parted ways in 1992 with Rakim embarking on a hit-or-miss solo career.

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