Search - Above the Law :: Legends

Above the Law - Legends

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 02/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The first Above the Law (Hutch, Cold 187um, KMG and Total K-Oss) release I came across was the groups fifth album "Legends" (1998). Los Angeles' Above the Law are one of those slept on groups that never got the attention that other groups of their time did. One track, which I consider a classic cut on this one, is the memorable "Deep AZ The Root"; love the lyrics, beat and especially the chorus to this one. On the dark "Set Trippin", Above The Law kick some killer rhymes over an ominous sounding beat, and come on point again on the powerful "Promise Me". Rhyming over an upbeat sounding instrumental ABL shine again on the smooth "The Streets". The laidback "Summer Days" is a distinctively West Coast sounding cut which flows through well. Above the Law take their listeners to another place on the slow introspective "Soul Searching". ABL closes off the album strong with "In God We Trust", a track that gradually builds up. "Legends" is a solid album worth having in the collection. 3.5.

"

5th group album is tight

G$ | B-More, MD | 10/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"9 years in the game and 18 months since their last release ("Time Will Reveal" -- my favorite of their group albums -- I don't have "Uncle Sams Curse" or "livin Like Hustlers") ATL is back with a solid 4 star album. Like the previous 4 albums of their's, it has a nice G-Funk sound to it and all the production is handled nicely by Cold 187um (aka Big Hutch). Of the 15 songs on here, 1 is a classic, 6 are ok, and the other 8 are good. Guests rap on 3 songs and do the hook on 4 others so you get alot of KMG & Big Hutch. A good album for their fans to have and fans of G-Funk west coast rap.



#2 - 10 (CLASSIC -- f/ Jayo Felony -- tight beat)

#3 - 7.5

#4 - 8 (f/ Traci Nelson)

#5 - 8.5 (nice beat)

#6 - 7.5 (f/ Young Ten)

#7 - 7

#8 - 8.5 (nice beat)

#9 - 9 (nice beat)

#10 - 9 (tight beat -- f/ Traci Nelson)

#11 - 7.5

#12 - 7.5

#13 - 7 (f/ Madd Harv Dogg)

#14 - 9 (KMG & Yukmouth -- no Cold 187um on here -- tight beat)

#15 - 8 (f/ Nicole Hithe)

#16 - 8 (nice upbeat song to end it)



COLD 187um (Big Hutch) -- Gregory Hutchinson -- b. around 1968 -- Pomona, CA

KMG -- Kenneth M. Gulley -- Pomona, CA



Check all my reviews

"

Why are So Many Hatin' On This Joint?

G-Funk 4ever | Listenin' to the Delfonics | 05/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Above The Law has a neat and varied catalogue of music ranging from Livin' Like Hustlers 1990 to Forever: Rich Thugs Book 1 in 1999. They released some awesome, and often under the radar stuff, and helped change the rap game in the 1990's. Legends is their 1998 album after Uncle Sam's Curse (1994) and Time Will Reveal (1996). Cold 187 um continues his scientific beat experiments here as he did on all the ATL albums. I gotta say, his G-Funk beats definitely are original, not like many other producers. The beats are different here than any of the other beats I have ever heard. Lyrically, the album is definitely a ATL album! Now, they don't break any new ground; that was Uncle Sam's Curse's job, but this album is definitely enjoyable. Joints like "X.O. Wit Me" thump with a dope lowrider beat and ATL and Jayo Felony trading fire. "The Streets" is one of my favorite ATL joints ever with a nice laid back melodic beat with a nice Hawaiian motif in the background; perfect to tear the streets up or hit 3 wheel motion. "Soul Searchin'" definitely bangs with a beat only 187 can create, a nice twangy beat KMG trading verses with Yukmouth of Luniz fame with a nice female vocal chanting "can you see the light." The track drops intelligent street knowledge with some voodoo imagery while taking a look at their own souls. Some beats here are likably oddball, very original and experimental like "L.A. Vibe," the eerie hood anthem "Set Trippin,'" and "Karma;" just try to beat box to the latter; you simply can't because there is so much electgronic madness goin on there. "Adventures Of..." is interesting. Nicole Hithe drops some interesting and hella sexy hook vocals and some pimpin' verses that ATL are well-known for with another original beat. "In God We Trust" is what I believe, a bonus track. The song slaps with a heavy beat and a neat middle eastern motif. ATL kill the track with killa street flows. Beatwise, this album is as experimantal as any of their older albums. Definitely open your mind and please give this album a try! Get it before it sells for 70 bucks like Uncle Sam's Curse.

"