Search - Ultramagnetic Mc's :: Funk Your Head Up

Coming live from WKRFUNK

Thomas B. Mitchell | 12/10/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I felt compelled to add a few comments:



1. According to Moe Love, Ultra did not have full creative control over "Funk Your Head Up." Ghost producers/people the label hired altered the content considerably. This was a marked change from "Critical Beatdown" where they had at least some support (from forward-thinking rap sonic mastermind Paul C).



2. Regardless of these production issues, Kool Keith is in fine form, using heavy doses of humor and lyrical hyperbole (a thread that runs throughout his Ultra and solo work). I think his subtle humor is under-appreciated and it comes out in full force on this album.



3. "Pluckin' Cards" is still the greatest diss song of all time, in my opinion. Keith sets up the template many MCs re-used on battle tracks (*cough cough* Eminem). Only Keith disses multiple MCs/groups rather overtly, with a series of insults nearly Shakespearian in scope ("low" humor disses--saying their breath smells--alongside sophisticated puns converting rappers' names and/or album titles into insults). "Cards" should be required listening for people who only know Keith as Dr. Octagon.



4. Regardless of its interest to Ultra and Keith fans, there's no way this album (long out of print) is worth the massive sums being charged here for used copies. If you're really interested in hearing it, find somebody to trade with, seriously.



This album was a cut-out, dollar-bin item in like '94. Somebody reselling it today for 6x original face value or whatever--that's awful. Don't forget, the artist is already getting screwed over because it's a resale situation. Why should some opportunist (who likely isn't even a rap fan or collector) make that money? Think about it: Somebody finds a copy of this, maybe because he/she lives in a rural area where the record-buying public wouldn't know Ultramagnetic from the Monkees. Since it's not Vince Gill, it's of no value to the seller, why not yoke the price up 1000% and make the money off the backs of hard-working old school hip-hop fans? Keep in mind, many of these fans likely already bought the album in another format (cassette, vinyl) WHEN IT WAS FIRST RELEASED.



This above comment is not made about any seller in particular. Obviously, if there's a buck to be made and if people are willing to pay...I just find the practice of selling out-of-print rap music on Amazon at exorbitant rates repulsive. Put it on the auction site instead, please. Then, it's up to the buyer to determine the value. If they choose to spend that ridiculous amount--it's on them. When you arbitrarily select an outrageous sum, it gives the impression that this music cannot be had anywhere for reasonable prices. If a new-schooler came to Amazon trying to pick up some old-school sounds, he or she might give up after seeing so many of this classic albums re-selling for >$50.



A real rap fan who happened upon a copy of "Funk Your Head Up" (or any other gold-era album) would hold onto it themselves for sentimental value, not resell it to an unsuspecting patron at 6 times the original face value.



I'm pluckin' you opportunistic fools' cards!"

'CRITICAL BEATDOWN' follow-up slightly fails

billyrapids | MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY USA | 07/27/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"After a 4-year hiatus,the ULTRAMAGNETIC MC's are back,with 70+ minutes of mad funked beats and outlandish lyricism. Also their major label debut,Mercury Records. This album IS good,Mercury failed to promote it the right way. Songs like "Make It Happen","MC Champion","Bust The Facts","Funk Radio","Go For Yours","Chorus Line Pt.2" and "Poppa Large" make good of the album. Humorous solo by KOOL KEITH like "Pluckin' Cards" and "Dolly And The Rat Trap" will have you dying as KEITH disses other rappers and groupies. Too many worthless skits like "Intermission" and "Porno Star" they could have placed on TIM DOG's 'PENICILLAN ON WAX' album. "You Ain't Real" is the long-awaited but lacked energy diss to FREDDIE FOXXX (FREDDIE FOXXX is the only artist to date to diss ULTRAMAGNETIC). It fails because of promotion. Mercury released two singles and closed it. "Poppa Large" remix (not on the album) is better than the album version. If you find this CD,keep it. It will come back to us in future years."

Very dope

flexxxor | cleveland | 02/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"trying to find this lp on cd is hard. i have it on cassett. it is classic early 90's east coast. i have to have it on cd. it is a must for all ultra heads."