Debut studio album from San Francisco's RBL Posse. A Lesson To Be Learned was originally released in 1992 and helped set the framework for what would become the Bay Area Mobb Music sound. Most heads should be familiar with "Don't Give Me No Bammer," but there's much more to dig into here. Black C's production samples everything from The Isley Brothers to Simply Red, while the lyrics borrowed from the story telling style developed by artists like Slick Rick. Granted, Black C and Mr. Cee's delivery leaves a little to be desired, but their songs are filled with more than enough quotable moments and the two emcees play off each other with ease. This is real Bay Area rap that distilled a variety of influences into a unique, regional sound. To dig a little deeper checkout "More Like An Orgy," "A Lesson To Be Learned," and the Patrice Rushen sampling "Remind Me." Eleven tracks in all. Released by Right Way Productions on black vinyl housed in a replica sleeve.

• music label: Right Way Productions 2018

reviewed by Kool Moby 05/2018