Album Review With Souly B.
Ultramagnetic Mc’s:
“Critical Beatdown”
(Next Platue Records), 1988.
Back before hip hop culture was about materialistic, selfish and greedy motives, there was a period referred to as “the golden era”.
The golden era was approximately between 1985 – 1990, there was a breakthrough in lyrical, djing and beat making, and the sound of hip hop was more advanced and changed forever. One of the most influential, important and overlooked crews from this era was the Ultramagnetic Mc’s. Ultra was originally formed in 1984 by: Ced Gee (Producer/Mc), Kool Keith (MC), and Moe Luv (DJ). TR Love joined the group around 1986, and served the role as backup dj.
After a few highly received, by fans, 12” singles, Ultramagnetic were ready for a full length production.
Although the tracks on this album were recorded between 1986 – 1988, a majority of the album was recorded in 1988. The album was called “Critical Beatdown”, and although not commercially successful, it was a hit with hip hop heads, and is now considered an early underground hip hop classic.
On the rhymes are Kool Keith and Ced Gee, although Keith wrote about 50% of his lyrics. Ced Gee also served as the producer of the group, and his unorthodox, heavily chopped beats, revolutionized the way producers thought about sampling. He was one of the most innovative and influential producers from the golden era. He also produced a majority of Boogie Down Productions classics including the Lp “Criminal Minded”, along with other underrated acts of that time.
Kool Keith was instantly recognizable for his high pitched, energetic delivery on the mic, his bizarre lyrical imagery, vocabulary and unorthodox style. He went on to considerable success, releasing several albums under different aliases. He still continues to release and perform music today. Ced Gee and Kool Keith have influenced countless mc’s and producers’ of the underground hip hop scene.
To me, this album is the ultimate, straight up street rocking album simply celebrating hip hop for hip hop. It flows naturally from start to finish. It’s experimental but traditional, a very well balanced release indeed.
Classic old school New York hip hop.
Overall, this album is an integral piece of New York hip hop gold. Ultramagnetic will show the way it’s properly done. Best listened to with your homies.
Peace, Souly B.
P.S. If you can find the re-issue on cd, it has a few bonus cuts, such as: “Bait”: and “Mentally Mad” which were only previously released on vinyl. I used to own a copy, but I gave it to my man Texta for his 18th birthday. It’s all good, it’s still with the squids...
Back before hip hop culture was about materialistic, selfish and greedy motives, there was a period referred to as “the golden era”.
The golden era was approximately between 1985 – 1990, there was a breakthrough in lyrical, djing and beat making, and the sound of hip hop was more advanced and changed forever. One of the most influential, important and overlooked crews from this era was the Ultramagnetic Mc’s. Ultra was originally formed in 1984 by: Ced Gee (Producer/Mc), Kool Keith (MC), and Moe Luv (DJ). TR Love joined the group around 1986, and served the role as backup dj.
After a few highly received, by fans, 12” singles, Ultramagnetic were ready for a full length production.
Although the tracks on this album were recorded between 1986 – 1988, a majority of the album was recorded in 1988. The album was called “Critical Beatdown”, and although not commercially successful, it was a hit with hip hop heads, and is now considered an early underground hip hop classic.
On the rhymes are Kool Keith and Ced Gee, although Keith wrote about 50% of his lyrics. Ced Gee also served as the producer of the group, and his unorthodox, heavily chopped beats, revolutionized the way producers thought about sampling. He was one of the most innovative and influential producers from the golden era. He also produced a majority of Boogie Down Productions classics including the Lp “Criminal Minded”, along with other underrated acts of that time.
Kool Keith was instantly recognizable for his high pitched, energetic delivery on the mic, his bizarre lyrical imagery, vocabulary and unorthodox style. He went on to considerable success, releasing several albums under different aliases. He still continues to release and perform music today. Ced Gee and Kool Keith have influenced countless mc’s and producers’ of the underground hip hop scene.
To me, this album is the ultimate, straight up street rocking album simply celebrating hip hop for hip hop. It flows naturally from start to finish. It’s experimental but traditional, a very well balanced release indeed.
Classic old school New York hip hop.
Overall, this album is an integral piece of New York hip hop gold. Ultramagnetic will show the way it’s properly done. Best listened to with your homies.
Peace, Souly B.
P.S. If you can find the re-issue on cd, it has a few bonus cuts, such as: “Bait”: and “Mentally Mad” which were only previously released on vinyl. I used to own a copy, but I gave it to my man Texta for his 18th birthday. It’s all good, it’s still with the squids...
