Kurtis Blow | Deuce (1981)
Back In The Day Review: Kurtis Blow | Deuce
By Charles F. Sherard
Mercury/Polygram Records, 1981
First Off,
'A big shout out to all the writers, the staff, the crew of T.U.M.S. - the 4 years of service (since 2007.) The 4 years of joy (and more) I'm sure our publisher Terrill is lovin'...the 3 years of my contributions here and a prayer for more good things to come.'
I want to speak loud and clear about one of the most influential, if not, concrete old school rap music albums of all time. By none other than rap music's, disco party startin' Kurtis Blow.
I waited a good minute for this.
If you are a major music collector always on the lookout for a power CD/LP for your mix, or something that must be remembered. Not only for its inner musical passion, but for also the ability to make a difference in urban culture by instrumentation: Grab "Deuce" by Kurtis Blow.
The LP now sitting in my left hand while I write is impeccable. A power driven tour de force of both dramatic lyrical comprehension that mattered to the urban community and a fantastic tight back end production support from studio session players that otherwise was forgotten. Until tonight, at around 3:15 in the afternoon, on Tues, March 1st. 2011. Yes.
Until now.
Yeah: "...These are 'the breaks'....." will always be remembered as the trademark lyric on Kurtis's public facebook wall. But "Deuce" as an album should be also considered a madd shout out to old school hip hop fans everywhere vs. a mild tweet from a twitter account any day of the week. Mr. Blow came strong and significant at a time when public community consciousness from rappers back in the late 70's to the mid 80's made a difference. And in some cases, well after that time period. Not all, but a chosen few pulled that feat off. I'll leave that remark where it should stand for now.
What I liked most about "Deuce" is how Kurtis, Russell Simmons of Rush Productions, J.B. Moore and Robert Ford, Jr. put together a full instrumental project without beat machines and a Casio keyboard player. They allowed a group of musicians to 'flow' throughout the 'A' & 'B' sides with room to showcase their own skills by solo.
Here's what I am talking about:
Straight from Mercury/Polygram Records in 1981 came tracks like "The Deuce" (see video and listen to great Onaje Allan Gumbs on piano), "It's Getting Hot" (Listen to the joy Jaime Delgado gave to the Timbales), "Getaway" with the serious bass coming from Seth Glassman and sax/horns from Mark "Sugar Rico" Rivera (did Horn Arrangements throughout the album too BTW).
The soulful choral flow on "Starlife" by background vocalists Wayne Garfield, Deborah Cole, Travis Milner, & Harold Lee sums up the appeal of the groove while "Take It To The Bridge" pushed the guitar dept to higher heights. Everything so far track-after-track flows like watching the subway fly down the railway on a New York Central Park chilled day. The master break beat in "Do The Do" (check the percussion from The Willowbrook Four) had to be used by many upcoming rappers back then. There was no doubt on my mind. That bass line gave it away. And Kurtis' jokes around lyrically with the content.
Speaking of guitars - guitarist John Tropea represented 4 tracks off the album with ease.
There was a reason why Kurtis had to stand in front of a movie theater with Kung Fu legend Bruce Lee on the marquee in the background (LP Cover art). He once spoke the true immortal words of being "Tough" on a rap classic and he came with full confidence all posed out in the frame above to prove it.
I got you T.U.M.S. with this one. Not a very few Rap LP's came straight up with a full bandstand for an album. Especially nowadays. Take a chance and look for this premium mint condition. It's out there - I googled and saw it for myself.
Don't Burn It. Buy It.
Peace,
Charles F. Sherard
We ARE The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 3/6/2011 7:30 PM 
Categories: Funk, Rap Music, Videos, Old School Rap, Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Disco
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
Categories: Funk, Rap Music, Videos, Old School Rap, Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Disco
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
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