Classic of the Minute (4/1): Jeru the Damaja - The Sun Rises in the East [1994]

[kingsoby1]

I figured I'd start this out. Post thoughts, resources, news, reviews, whatever. That would be awesome if we could all write Soundoffs or Reviews on the reviews site:

[1994] Jeru the Damaja - The Sun Rises in the East

Production entirely by DJ Premier and Jeru.

Jeru's trademark delivery and vocabulary can be found throughout the project. The album features fellow Gang Starr Foundation member Afu-Ra.

It is highly significant and is said to have helped revive East Coast hip hop along with other albums such as Wu-Tang Clan's Enter the Wu-Tang, Nas' Illmatic and Black Moon's Enta Da Stage.

An interesting sidenote, the album cover depicts the World Trade Center on fire only one year after the 1993 bombing of the North Tower.[1]

Reception:

* The Source (8/94, p.86) - 4 mikes - Slammin' - "...the music both contrasts and complements his disjointed flow and deep poetical lyricism."

* Melody Maker (8/13/94, p.33) - Bloody Essential - "...hypnotic and chilling as a blues party on Pluto...Another step forward for hip hop."

* NME (6/18/94, p.34) - 7 - Very Good - "Jeru is more original than most...there are delights aplenty here."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sun_Rises_in_the_East

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=093NC7PT

[niobium]

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/soundoff.php?albumid=17932

very notable debut, weakest moments happen in the beginning and also unfortunately a short album. cockiness is usually validated with his verbal gymnastics; rarely does he not deliver. premier continues his dominance

[pixiesfanyo]

Group Home's 'Livin' Proof' will always remain as Premier's best work outside of Gang Starr for me.

Jeru is definitely a quality MC though.

[kingsoby1]

just figured i'd start it off with something i haven't listened to much. feel free to pick the next one jared, then each person can elect someone new to pick something each week.

[pixiesfanyo]

oh, wasn't trying to be negative. record is great.

[kingsoby1]

np, wasn't construed that way brahhh

i'll write up a soundoff/ mini review soon.

[niobium]

album is jeru's part in gang starr's I'm the Man pretty much

[pixiesfanyo]

i remember when eliminator used to be in love with this and Wraths

[Correction]

hmm listened once but thought it was boring
must listen again

[niobium]

album really gets going at mental stamina for me

[Cocaine]

my only exposure to Jeru was Wrath of the Math and I remember thinking it was god awful, so while I want to check this out, I'm pretty weary at the same time.

[kyle6677]

my only exposure to Jeru was Wrath of the Math and I remember thinking it was god awful, so while I want to check this out, I'm pretty weary at the same time.

exact same thing...ill still check it out though

[kingsoby1]

if you dont like wrath of math, you prob wont like this. a lot of people say WoM is slightly worse, but not by much... same formula.

[iarescientists]

loved this album should get wrath of the math

[comity]

wrath of the math is worse

[sgrevs]

I dig this album a lot but it's the only Jeru I've heard.

[plugartists]

Man Jeru is a classic, in all senses, love his tracks although his live performances are weak! Saw him a couple of years back and he walked off stage with the mic and started talking to some punter in the toilet! Would have been funny but we all paid a fortune to get into the place... gotta laugh though.
You just cant stop the prophet!!!

Best tune for me:
D&D Foundation feat. Jeru, Mad Lion, Krs1, Doug E Fresh, Fat Joe, Smiff N Wesson and of course Primo!!!

[StalkingButler]

Easily my favorite pick for an underrated/underappreciated hip hop album and in my all time top 10.

favorite line: "Lyrics like hype tattoes, go over the dope tracks"

That's what it is.


My own blurb:

Production: A+ (4/4)
Lyricism: A (3.7/4)
Flow: A (1.8/2)

Overall: A (9.5/10)

Great display on how to produce an album and also how to drop the correct rhymes when provided that production. Jeru's flow is one of a kind, he reinvents it for every line. All of Premier's experiments fit when matched with Jeru's flow. An album that doesn't run out of ideas.


Oh, and if you aren't too familiar with the hip hop Jeru and Premier kicking it in the 90's. Check out this classic under the name the "Crooklyn Dodgers". I'm sure most of you have heard this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opWYnUpNtG8

[kingsoby1]

nice nice... ill have to write up a review soon. it's pretty good stuff, i really have to get into old school sh*t more, but you know that already.

[ATM]

Jeru is the ****. His lazy delivery took some time to grow on me but now I love it.

[Cocaine]

I was wrong, I didn't have Wrath of Math, I had Divine Design. And it sucked.

[discdolo]

This album was and is one of my personal favourites. Dj Premier's simple but hard production works.. Questlove wrote a review about how the samples used on this album were not rare but Primo used em to his best ability ( mary jane girls, bob james, isaac hayes) ..Jeru lives up to the perverted monk affiliation with conscious rhymes ( Prophet, Aint the Devil Happy, Jungle Musik)mixed with braggodocio (Statik, Brooklyn Took it).. Honestly he had me looking up certain stuff with his references as this dropped in my hs days ( Pineal Gland, Kush .. etc). I think Wrath of the MAth was less subtle with him basically calling out Puffy and probably less lyrical, although primo began his more chopping-samples style on WOM..