The landmark first LP from Black Moon. In conjunction with their string of successful remix singles, this album ground out a pocket in hip hop belonging strictly to Black Moon and affiliates. Weed talk and gunclap lyrics paired with the smoothest of rough styles and king pin jazz beats. The combination made my eyes bleed... No question they stepped it up on the remixes that came out on single, but I'm still feeling the OG versions on the album. Forgot how good the original of "I Got Cha Opin" was. Damn near the remix with that addictive bassline. The horn treatment is what locks me down for most of the album, my favorite the intro to "Shit Iz Real" (#3 on my all time "Shit Iz Real" list). I wish I could go back to 93 and trap the Beatminerz in a box with instructions to make an instrumental hip hop album. At this point they had the shit perfected. Also includes the classics "Buck Em Down (LP Version)," "Who Got the Props," "How Many Mcs," "Powaful Impak," and more. Refreshed 2017 pressing spread out on double vinyl, recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing
• original release year: 1993
• music label: Wreck Records 2017

reviewed by the mgmnt 08/2005