The L.A. Dream Team | Kings Of The West Coast
The L.A. Dream Team | Kings Of The West Coast
MCA Records 1986
There was a reason why I told 'T' to go right ahead & slide that "Nursery Rhymes" music video on the Back In The Day page. That was the 'madd' jam players. I remember vividly how Rudy Pardee & Chris Wilson broke loose on the block with that cut & "Rockberry Jam". All the parties in Southern Cali got jammed & I was always the player that arrived late to them, hoping I can get in to fit in. If you know what I mean.
The L.A. Dream Team was no joke & they didn't fool around. Much of their music centered around an electro sound movement that brought out or sustained more hip-hop & R&B acts following the same formula. Their music also had that boom-clap element, which could easily become the party starter within seconds after being heard. The album in question, "Kings Of The West Coast" drew some comparisons to Doug E. Fresh, The World Class Wreckin Crew (Dr. Dre...whats up?), Kraftwerk ('Tour De France' was a MONSTER!), Egyptian Lover (Don't make me review his stuff...) and much of the electro-synth sound groups that rocked the stage & blew up the parties in the early to mid 80's.
I mean, "The Dream Team Is In The House" was on & crackin' BIG TIME. Simple lyrics, no harsh abusive stuff going on here. And Lisette "Lisa Love" Rodriguez was sounding all so sexy and stuff, while Bert "Mellow-B' Lopez rocked the Computer Programming dept. Just another theme song introducing the crew. "Nursery Rhymes" musically arranged was on the tilt. Straight groove knockin', the kick in the opening of that track flows so smooth, I bet the kids today would still bop to it.
"You're Just Too Young" slowed it up & left an important message about not foolin' around with what was called "jail baiting' (Remember that slang term?). Background vocals by Kim Ball.
"And The Orchestra Plays" sounded like The Dream Team Is In The House, but the song nevertheless jammed the boombox. All you had to do was flip the tape over & press the 'arrow' button. Then came "Rockberry Jam" and all of those 8 'C' or 'D' batteries you had fresh in the back of the boombox will die out shortly, if not already. Especially rewinding back to those parts when the keyboard synths funked the beats relentlessly. The funky synths.
Chris Wilson handled the prolific "High Velocity Beats" programming with so much bang for the buck, its no wonder this album should be sitting somewhere close to all those still reflecting on the 80's rap music. Old School jams that rocked steady & left quite an impression. Hopefully the remaining members of The Dream Team are doing well & carrying on with their careers. Rudy Pardee had passed away back in 1998.
Peace,
Charles F. Sherard
The Urban Music Scene
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