Above the Law - Uncle Sams Curse (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

DAmmit

Luis Lopez | Buttphuckegypt, NM | 02/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this cd but the more i see people raisig prices for a copy the more i dont want to get it

This cd is ATL at its best Kalifornia is a dope song and black super man

burn a copy until it gets reprinted"

A classic...

NJA | France | 10/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Uncle Sam's curse is a masterpiece, only 1 or 2 songs are poor, sounds are subtle, in progress in comparaison with black mafia life, those who can appreciate good music and creativity will appreciate..."

"It'll Cost You A Grip, To Live In Kali Yall..." (Rating: 9

Chandler | Atlanta (College Park), Georgia | 02/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Is it just me, or do I believe that every Above The Law album has been slept on? Majority of the tracks on all their albums bang, but yet the masses refuse to turn their heads to realize what it is that their missing. Not even with the backing of NWA on their 1990 debut album Livin' Like Hustlers. Although they headed a different direction with their style on their 1992 sophomore album Black Mafia Life (which is my favorite out of the group), people still missed out on what they had to offer (judging by the reviews, I don't think anyone picked up their 1991 Vocally Pimpin' EP). Now here come their 1994 album Uncle Sam's Curse, and still no one paid attention, and thats unfortunate, because this album is great. What I've noticed out of ATL, is that the albums I own they switch their style up. On their debut, they were sort of gangstas. On their sophomore LP, they were pimps and kicking game over some fly production. Here, they become sort of political with their rhymes (they were still pimpin' but not like their previous album). Cold 187um and KMG (as well as Total Koss) wern't heavily political, like Paris, Kam, and other west coast artists, but just gave you enough to know what the deal was.

On the majority of these tracks, there are snippets of speeches (possibly from movies) which people express their urban political views. "Return Of The Real" starts the album off of what it is to expect from this album. One of my favorites is the single "Kalifornia" which is dope and features a hot verse from Kokane (he was actually good back then people). Another favorite of mine would be "Everything Will Be Alright", an upbeat track about what they do to women, that also features Kokane. "Black Superman" is a standout in my opinion. "'G' In Me" is a great song with Cold 187um's smooth vocals going to work on the hook. "Uncle Sam's Curse" and "One Time Two Meny" are standout political songs about how everyday activities can affect someone. "Who Ryde" is another great standout that features Kokane. And the album closes off with a deep "Gangsta Madness" which dedicated to people who died at an early age.

Majority of the songs standout here on this album. Above The Law really lays it down and gets their point across here on their third full length LP. People who haven't heard this album will be impressed. Like I said, this album was slept on, and those should wake up and check this out. Then to top it off, it's out of print, causing this to not be as accessable as their other albums. Chances are you can track this album down for around 30 bucks (thats how much I paid for this album), maybe even less. Either way, this is one you would want to have in your hands. Peace.

Lyrics: A-

Production: A-

Guest Appearances: A-

Musical Vibes: A-

Top 5 Tracks:

1. Kalifornia (featuring Kokane)

2. Everything Will Be Alright (featuring Kokane)

3. Gangsta Madness

4. Black Superman

5. Return Of The Real

Honorable Mention:

1. Uncle Sam's Curse

2. One Time Two Meny"

Lyrical and experimental g-funk (4.5/5)

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 12/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Above the Law is one of the best and most underrated rap groups from the west coast, and "Uncle Sam's Curse" may be their best album. Both the group and the album have been totally slept-on for years, so much that this album has gone out of print. Ruthless dropped this in 1994, and it really was a level above the other gangsta rap being released at the time. "Uncle Sam's Curse" is some really lyrical hip hop, sometimes politically fueled and very socially conscious. Musically it is very experimental. Producer Cold 187um, one of the west coast's best beatmakers, uses some electronic instrumentals with his usual heavy bass and whiny synths to create an almost futuristic sound, aided by frequent movie samples. Kokane sings hooks on lots of the songs, and this adds to the experimental feel, Kokane is the weirdest and most entertaining hookmen in hip hop. The Pomona trio of Total K-Oss, KMD, and Cold 187um don't really make any tracks worth skipping on this release either. I highly recommend "Uncle Sam's Curse," it is really multiple steps above the vast majority of west coast rap, and it's disgustingly slept-on.

The album starts with an intro that sets the scene for the album, oppressed and hungry people ready for a change in the city. This goes into the entertaining "Return of the Real...," a funky start to the album announcing the return of Above the Law. The next song is the soulful, well-produced "Set Free," which has a great chorus and wishful, sad lyrics. "Kalifornia" is a straight west coast anthem, with a beat laced with horns and a whiny synth, and a good chorus. "Concreat Jungle" is lyrically one of the highlights, discussing the pitfalls of living in the ghetto. "Rain Be for Rain Bo" has a head-nodding beat and good lyrics and hook. "Everything Will Be Alright" is a happy, upbeat, funky track, and a showcase for Kokane. "Black Superman" is my favorite song on the album, an absolute classic. The beat is awesome, perfect to ride to, and the lyrics are some of the best, exploring being a "black superman" for poor people in urban life. "Uncle Sam's Curse" is a middle finger to America, talking about the struggles and inescapable trials of poverty, it's very powerful. "One Time Too Meny" and "Who Ryde" are both wild, laidback kinds of g-funk tracks. "Gangsta Madness" may be the most stunning track on the album, speaking of judgment and death, and the beat and Kokane's chorus match it perfectly.

"Uncle Sam's Curse" is a very unique album and one of the best from an era of strong hip hop from California. I highly recommend it to fans of g-funk artists but also to fans of strong lyricists, because this album has both. Unfortunately, this release is nearly impossible to find now, but if you come across it do yourself a favor and make the purchase."

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