Black Mafia Life [PA]

Performer: Above the Law
Artist: Digital Underground; Mc Ren; Eazy-E
Engineer: Donovan Sound; Mark Paladino
Producer: Cold 187um; Above The Law
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Above The Law: Total K-oss, K.M.G., Go Mack (rap, scratches); Cold 187um (rap, keyboards, scratches). Additional personnel: Digital Undergraound, M.C. Ren, Eazy-E (vocals); The South Central Works Connection (chants); M. Smooth Bell, Mike "Crazy Neck" Sims (guitar); B-Laid Back Edwards (keyboards); D.J. Sno, D.J. Fuze, Poet H.B. (scratches); New Funkateers, Tha Pimp Clinic (background vocals). Recorded at Tha Edge Recording Studios, Inglewood, California and Audio Achievements Studios, Torrance, California. All songs written or co-written by members of Above The Law. Personnel: Digital Underground (vocals); Mike Smooth, Mike Sims (guitar); Cold 187um (keyboards, scratches); B-Laid Back Edwards (keyboards); Total K-Oss, Go Mack (scratches). Audio Mixer: Mark Paladino. Recording information: Audio Achievements Studios, Torrance, CA; The Edge Recording Studios, Inglewood, CA. Photographer: Julio Estrada. Arrangers: Cold 187um; Total K-Oss; Kokane. Above the Law's second album had three things working against it. One: over two years had passed since their debut (unless you factor 1991's Vocally Pimpin' EP), which certainly left many with the impression that they were no longer. Two: they had to follow up a strong Dr. Dre-produced debut with in-house production. Three: it was nearly half an hour longer than the debut, leaving it wide open for filler issues. Despite these factors, the members of Above the Law proved with Black Mafia Life that they were more than a one-album wonder. They returned with a record that was both more laid-back and assured, yet the sound was tougher all the same. The tales spun by Cold 187um, KM.G, Big Hutch, and Go Mack are as unrelentingly grim as ever, yet this is -- if anything -- a party record, full of grooves and licks swiped from Bootsy Collins, the Fatback Band, and Curtis Mayfield. Cold 187um's slick sampling work -- almost as accomplished as Dre's on the debut -- combined with live instrumentation more than makes up for the fact that none of the thoroughly convincing MCs are lyrical masters. Lop off a few substandard moments, replace them with one or two big singles (admittedly, nothing here is as hot as the debut's "Untouchable"), and you'd have a West Coast classic. ~ Andy Kellman

The Source (12/92, p.72) - 3.5 Stars - Good Plus - "...Above The Law might be the only rap artists who were once graced with Dr. Dre's heavy-handed skills but won't miss him...While none of the themes are new, ATL make them sound fresh because they sound like they mean it..."

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