Search - Salt-N-Pepa, Salt N Pepa :: Black's Magic

S-N-P's Magic

Truth | DC | 03/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is SNP's best album. I am baffled why there has been no release of SNP's greatest hits or even a re-issue of "Blacks' Magic".

I think that just as Biggie's "Ready to Die" was issued on the 10th anniversary, "Blacks' Magic" deserves a 15th anniversary edition. Here are the bonus tracks I would add:



14. You Showed Me (Suburban Club Mix)

15. Let's Talk About Sex (single remix)

16. Do You Want Me (single version f/ Herby "Luvbug" Azor)

17. Expression (remix)

18. Independent (remix)

19. Let's Talk About AIDS (PSA)

20. You Showed Me (Urban Club Mix) [single/video version]



And maybe some soundtrack entries or live recordings from this era would be good, too. One thing I would caution - or maybe wonder aloud - is that there are different versions of this album. I got mine in 1990 when the album first came out, but later versions (post-pop exposure) had different versions of the songs, including the single/video version of "Let's Talk About Sex" - which along with "Do You Want Me" and "You Showed Me" have original album versions much different than what was heard on the radio or television.

"

Funky hip-hop that *moves*

Truth | 05/13/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For me, if I find three tracks on a CD I really like, the CD is a winner. "Blacks' Magic" does better than that, but I'd have bought it just for Do You (Really) Want Me (Baby), a funky piece that gets me moving every time. Turn it on and you just can't sit still. Let's Talk About Sex and Expression are also strong if you're looking to pump up the jam... they all mix pop and hip-hop grooves that get you to dancin'. Highly recommended."

Great Album, Even Greater Remixes {4 Stars}

Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 07/02/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I guess the title says it all. If you're buying this album in search of SNP hits that you heard on the radio, you may be in for a bit of a letdown. Most of these songs are great and contain pretty much the same beats as their remixes, but they haven't been tweaked, so they're don't make for the same experience. "Do You Want Me" is still fun to listen to 16 years after its release. "You Showed Me", "Expression", "Let's Talk About Sex", and "Independent" are all classic cuts -- but, like I said, they all have remixes or alternate versions that are WAY, WAY better. Who knows, maybe there's a rerelease with the remixes attached, but my copy is an original pressing and doesn't include those brilliant cuts. There is a remix album out there from this group, so they may be included on that album. Other standouts like "Live & Let Die" and "I Don't Know" bolster an already solid album. Production is handled mostly by Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor. You know his resume' already (Kid N' Play, Salt & Pepa, Dana Dane, Sweet Tee, etc...), so you can expect that phat late 80's/early 90's style production. Salt, Pepa, Spinderella, and Stevee O also contribute some beats.



There are a few filler tracks on the album though. "Negro Wit' An Ego, despite a great message, isn't anything memorable. "Swift", "Start The Party", and "I Like To Party" are definitely skip material. The title track suffers from some questionable production from Spinderella. The rest of the album is pretty good.



Blacks' Magic is probably the best representation of Salt & Pepa at their peak. They would go on to have more hits, but none of their following albums are as well put together as this one. About half of this album is nothing but classic tracks. I recommend checking this one out.



Standout Tracks: Live & Let Die, You Showed Me, Expression feat. Jacci McGhee, Independent feat. Sybil (My Favorite), Let's Talk About Sex, Doper Than Dope, Do You Want Me, and I Don't Know feat. Kid N' Play"