Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (CD - 1990)

Engineers include: Patrick Adams, Anton Fukshansky, Tony A.

Recorded at Power Play Studios and Libra Digital Sound, Long Island City, New York, Skip Saylor Recording and A&M Studios, Hollywood, California.

Videos directed by Julien Temple and Scott Kalvert.

Audio Remixer: The 45 King.

Recording information: A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA; Libra Digital Sound, Long Island City, NY; Power play Studios; SKip Saylor Recording.

One thing the rap audience will never be accused of is having the world's longest attention span. Even some of the most celebrated hip-hoppers can fade in popularity after only a few albums. Eric B. & Rakim were extremely popular in the mid- to late '80s, but by 1990, rap buyers were starting to lose interest in them. Not much different from Paid in Full or Follow the Leader, Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em makes rapping technique its number one priority. At time when West Coast MCs like Ice-T and Ice Cube were mainly interested in getting a political message across, Rakim's goal was showing how much technique he had. Rakim may rap in a deadpan tone, but "Step Back," "No Omega," and other tunes leave no doubt that he had sizable chops. There are a few message raps (including "In the Ghetto"), although Rakim spends most of his time finding tongue-twisting ways to boast and brag about his microphone skills. The overall result is a CD that is enjoyable, yet limited. ~ Alex Henderson

Eric B. & Rakim, masters of hip hop minimalism, pioneered the frontier separating old school heroes such as Kool Moe Dee from new school followers like Method Man and Jeru Tha Damaja. A testament to this fact is the duo's often-overlooked third album, LET THE RHYTHM HIT 'EM. Released in 1990, as hip-hop changed guards, the record brought together the relentless boasting of hip-hop's past with the sonic creativity of its future.

Although narcissistically mesmerized by his own incredible technique, Rakim has reason to sing his own praises. His focused signature monotone delivery coupled with Eric B.'s dynamic production style offer many classic tracks. "In the Ghetto" and "Step Back" are impressionist portraits of after-hours urban ambiance, while the title track and "No Omega" pump up the level of musical innovation to that of the duo's seminal effort PAID IN FULL. Unfortunately, as quickly as Eric B. and Rakim rose to the top, they fell from the spotlight after releasing only one more album, 1992's DON'T SWEAT THE TECHNIQUE. Not to be forgotten, LET THE RHYTHM HIT 'EM, released in the early days of gangsta rap and the heyday of Public Enemy's political bombast, is truly a hip hop classic. minimize