Search - Stetsasonic :: In Full Gear (+3 bonus tracks)

Definition of a Classic

Unknown | Somewhere | 09/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"True Story!!! This Album Is Better Than About, Oh......99% Of Music Out Today. It's Sad No One Listens To Them Anymore...They're Really Missin' Out On REAL Hip Hop..





Buy It!!!!!!



That's An Order!!!!!!!"

Stetsasonic - In Full Gear

jqr | Brooklyn | 10/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stet Troop '88 and We're the Band are my twin faves here. After months of happy listening, I have decided that the twin live drums Stetsa used give all the tunes real oomph in the beats. Obviously, you can always use drum machines and turn them up loud, but this album demonstrates on track after track that nothing substitutes for the earthy sound of live drumming.



It's a happy record, an old-school record. It will get you moving."

Where 'The Roots' learned the tricks of the trade (5 Stars)

Alan Pounds | Minneapolis, MN | 02/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As you may have heard, Stetsasonic was the original hip-hop band. The members include Daddy O, the devastating Prince Paul, Wise, Delite, Frukwan, & DBC (the Devastating Beat Creator). The live band certainly made this one of the fullest sounding hip-hop records of 1988. The stunning live formula gave way to other up and coming alternative rap groups, such as Arrested Development & The Roots. They definitely recall the visceral energy of Run-D.M.C., but also lean towards jazz and funk, and even touching on R&B. The production is loaded with instruments, beat-boxing, excellent turntablism, vicious rhymes and plenty of soul.



This record has a lot to offer in the way of variety. "In Full Gear" & "DBC Let the Music Play" open the record with an action-packed 1-2 punch. "Freedom or Death" touches on some sociopolitical topics...an excellent protest track from Daddy-O. Then comes perhaps the most beautiful crossover ballad to ever grace a rap record - "Float On". And excellent jazz-filled, astrology flavored tune. Tremendous from every angle. My favorite joint here is "Stet Troop '88!" It just pounds with energy, and Daddy-O is rhyming in FIERCE fashion. The mix never lets up, which contains consistently alluring production on tracks like "We're the Band" & "Rollin' Wit Rush". A few of my favorites pop up in the middle. "This Is It, Ya'll (Go Stetsa II)" is an excellent track, with some dope turntable work from Prince Paul. The next tracks "Sally" & "Talkin' All That Jazz" were substantial hits. "Talkin' All That Jazz" topped out on the charts at #22, and it's easy to see why. The reissue boats a remix, instrumental, and radio edit of this dope tune. "It's in My Song" brings back some of that high energy. "The Odad" boasts a dancehall/reggae vibe, which is probably my least favorite track here. The album is thankfully closed out with a set of straight bangers - "Miami Bass" & "Showtime".



Overall, if you haven't peeped out Stetsasonic, you are missing a seminal slice of old school hip-hop at it's finest. These guys were pioneers since day one, and this crowning masterpiece will live on and stand the test of time. The original hip-hop band cannot be missed."