Behind the Front [Clean] [Edited]

Performer: Black Eyed Peas
Artist: Macy Gray; Planet Swan; Sierra Swan
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Black Eyed Peas: Will.I.Am., Apl.de.Ap., Taboo. Additional personnel: Mike Fratantuno (guitar, bass); J. Curtis, Kevin Feyen (guitar); Matt Nabours (violin); Miles Tackett (cello, bass); Tommy O. (flute); Will Adams (M.P.C. 3000, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3 organ, Moog synthesizer, marimba, Theremin, melody phone); Brian Lapin (Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3 organ, Moog synthesizer, bass); Carlos Guaico (Fender Rhodes, bass); Peter Kim (bass); Terence Yoshiaka (drums, percussion); Motives, D.J. Drez, Paul Poli (scratches); Darell Cross (drums); Sierra Swan, Planet Swan, Macy Gray, Red Foo, Ingrid Dupree, Einstein Brown, Dawn Beckman, Kim Hill (background vocals). Producers: Will Adams, Paul Poli, C-Los, Brian Lapin. Engineers: Brian Lapin, David Haines, Lou Michaels. Personnel: Kim Hill, Dawn Beckman, Ingrid Dupree, Einstein Brown, Macy Gray, Planet Swan, Sierra Swan (vocals, background vocals); J. Curtis, Kevin Feyen, Mike Fratantuno (guitar); Matt Nabours (violin); Miles Om Tackett (cello); Tommy O. (flute); Will Adams (Fender Rhodes piano, Moog synthesizer, marimba, Theremin); Brian Lapin (Fender Rhodes piano, Moog synthesizer); Carlos Guaico (Fender Rhodes piano); Terence Yoshiaka (drums, percussion); Darell Cross (drums); Ramy Antoun (congas); DJ Drez, Paul Poli, The Motives (turntables). Audio Mixers: Dave Pensado; Tim Latham; Will Adams; Brian Lapin. Recording information: Benyad's Studios; Paramount Studios, Hollywood, CA. Illustrator: Suren Galadjian. Photographer: Storm Hale. This clever crew of MCs--main mic man Will.I.Am, acrobatic Apl.de.AP and the hypnotizing Taboo--brings different cultural backgrounds and styles into a mix of hip-hop, soul, and funk. With Native American, African-American, Mexican and Filipino influences, it's no wonder their album is filled with 16 songs that are all widely varied in style. "Joints and Jams" has funky jeep-thumping beats that move at a commercial radio pace. It is also featured on the BULWORTH soundtrack. The diversity of Black Eyed Peas' songs, from the melodic soul sound of "The Way You Make Me Feel" to the Latin Soul vibes of "Karma," bring a fresh sound to the sometimes monotonous world of Hip- Hop. Along the lines of De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and the Roots, BEP show a unique vision, sound and artistry on BEHIND THE FRONT. Other notables are the opening cut, "Fallin' Up," which has a hip-hop steady, head-nodding drum track, the smooth R&B-flavored "Duet" and the Spanish/urban/reggae amalgam "Que Dices?". Black Eyed Peas bring some positivity and fun back into hip-hop. Musically there is almost no realm this group does not touch -- right from the jump, the stylistic innocence of "Fallen Up," complete with striking guitar licks, sums up what BEP is all about. They attack the so-called hardcore MCs playing the role of dress-up: "I see you try to dis our function by stating that we can't rap/Is it cuz we don't wear Tommy Hilfiger or baseball caps?/We don't use dollars to represent/We just use our innocence and talent." The wonderfully crafted, old-school-influenced first single, "Joints and Jam," is perfect for the summertime frame of mind. With "Karma" they explore the notion of reaping what you sow. "Love Won't Wait" is a simultaneous infusion of R&B and hip-hop, as the group deals with a deteriorating romance. But the undisputed champ of this recording is "Positivity" -- you can't help but reminisce about yesteryear's MCs kicking conscious lyrics to educate the hip-hop masses. "Nowadays it's hard to make a living/But easy to make a killing/Cuz people walk around with just one inch of feeling/I feeling nauseated from your evil drug dealing/Blood spilling, the definition of top billing." In all honesty, the MCs who make up BEP -- Taboo, Will, and A8 -- are not going to be confused as being super-lyrical by any means. But their chemistry and insightful, original topic matter is used with enough efficiency to mask that slight blemish. [Behind the Front was also released in a clean version, with all vulgarities removed.] ~ Matt Conaway

Rolling Stone (8/20/98, p.108) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...an organic mixture of sampled melodies and live instruments....FRONT really takes off when the Peas challenge the status quo or indulge their braggadocious taste buds..." The Source (8/98, p.172) - 3 Mics (out of 5) - "...Having adopted a musical aesthetic that will undoubtedly draw comparisons to the mostly sample-free sound of the Roots and the viby mellow bounce of Tribe..."

The Los Angeles-based hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas has made a name for itself by taking an eclectic and organic approach to rap, R&B, and funk. Led by vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Will.I.Am., the band also includes two other MCs, Apl.de.Ap. and Taboo, along with vocalist Fergie, and a live backing band. Building a steady buzz with its first two releases, Black Eyed Peas garnered mainstream attention with the 2003 album, ELEPHUNK, which launched Fergie's solo career and helped make Will.I.Am one of the most in-demand producers in hip-hop, pop, and R&B for several years to come.

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