Review Summary: Erick Sermon's P-Funk is the backdrop for Redman's fun and crazy debut.
Redman first appeared on EPMD's album "Business as Usual" specifically the tracks "Hardcore" and "Brothers On My Jock". The following year with the help of EPMD's Erick Sermon he released his insane debut. The album starts with a skit where Redman is apparently in an insane asylum because he strangled someone at a rap concert, a doctor tells him he needs to "bring out some of that unnecessary anger out your system". That rage is on full display for the track "Time 4 Sum Aksion", over a thumping drum beat and Cypress Hill sample, Redman comes out swinging and gives an incredibly energetic performance, so much so that after the final chorus he reappears ready for more until someone says "Yo chill it's over man. You ain't gotta say no more, it's over." Over Parliament's "P-Funk" Redman claims "Ever since three, I cut throats of emcees mediocre lyricist who burnt with degrees" on "Da Funk". "So Ruff" is a cautionary tale about unprotected sex "You can either get with this or you can catch the claps" but it's done so hilariously you hardly catch the message of the song.
Redman's larger than life personality carries the album flipping lines like "Snapped the neck on Michael Myers then I freaked it; cause it was August and he was talkin this trick or treat sh*t" are pulled off with great dexterity and a sense of humor at the same time. Erick Sermon was at the height of his powers in EPMD and along with Redman produces the entire album with the exception of the stoner instructional "How to Roll a Blunt" which was done by Pete Rock, so with a cast like that the outcome is predictably outstanding. Erick Sermon is also the only guest on the album, making an appearance on "Watch Yo Nuggets" but Redman's clever rhymes and charisma don't need much help here.
In true Slick Rick style, "Redman Meets Reggie Noble" is clever track where Redman plays his two personalities just going back and forth with each other and tries to impress his alter ego with "Chuck D from Public Enemy? Yeah he's a friend of me". On "Tonight's Da Night" Redman changes it up a bit, over a loop from Mary Jane Girls "All Night Long" proves that he "Can get smooth to any groove". "Blow your Mind" and it's superior remix have Redman rapping in Korean!? But with his incredible swagger pulls it off smoothly. Towards the end of the album, Redman introduces his Soopaman Lover gimmick which would be a recurring series much like Jane was for EPMD.
With 21 tracks and bogged down with several skits the album loses steam towards the end but it's still an outstanding album with superb funk and soul flavored production and it's incredibly entertaining. Like Redman says "Press rewind if I haven't blown your mind", he will blow your mind but you'll want to hear it over and over, still his best, most consistent release.
