Search - Jayo Felony :: Take a Ride

Jayo's masterpiece

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 05/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jayo Felony's 1995 debut album is a west coast classic, one of the most overlooked masterpieces of g-funk and a personal favorite of my collectoin. Unfortunately, this album also displayed Def Jam's complete ineptitude to promote west coast artists (just ask Richie Rich, Twinz, The Dove Shack, WC, South Central Cartel, or even Warren G). What's so great about this album is that Jayo is much more insightful than the average g-funker. He's a true lyricist, but his subject matter really sets him apart from his west coast contemporaries. He has beef with the legal and prison system, and on many tracks he vents out his frustration with the law and incarceration. His tales of street crime, penitentiary life, and loneliness are really engaging and interesting, as a rapper Jayo constantly demands and maintains your attention. His flow really helps this too, he's got a lazy and conversational delivery that makes his raps feel more personal. He switches this up sometimes, almost singing a few hooks. But the production is also spectacular. It's so focused, especially because there's not a single guest verse or appearance on the whole album. The music has deep bass, but the instrumentals are a little more stripped down than most of the g-funk coming out at this time. It's not so woozy and computerized either, it has a great feel and is often upbeat and very catchy. The dark, gloomy funk enhances Jayo's portrayal of a grim world where penitentiary stays are punctuated by gang violence and drug abuse. This album has absolutely no weak tracks, the consistency is something rare in this genre, and that's what makes "Take a Ride" such a classic. Even the skits are relevant and entertaining. While this album is still available (unlike his other two), I consider this a must have, and this is an awesome, underappreciated classic.



Following the intro, the first song is "The Loc Is on His Own," a nice cut. This song is slow and funky, and the lyrics are some of the best. Jayo recounts the difficulties with contacting and connecting with his friends and family following incarceration, it's conscious and an interesting take. He also drops some raw philosophy on the jail system. "I'ma Keep Bangin'" is faster and bouncier, the production is very nice and Jayo holds your attention with his rough profiles of urban life. "Homicide" is pretty laidback, Jayo shows true lyrical talent on this track. The nice "Love Boat" skit serves as an intro to this album's classic single, "Sherm Stick." Over a sunny, head-nodding beat, Jayo laces a smoking anthem with a great hook and verses. I also really like "N...s and B...s," another excellently produced track, and "Can't Keep a Gee Down" continues the roll of funky, upbeat tracks with intense lyricism. My favorite beat here is found on "B... I'm Through," which musically is the finest track. The woozy, bumping beat has awesome instrumentals and a great hook as well. "Penitentiary Bound" is awesome. On this song, Jayo tells the story of a parole violation that led to incarceration, and he explores injustices in the system. The short yet inspiring "Don't Call Me N..." is a real highlight, and my favorite song comes next, "They Got Me On Medication." Jayo's delivery on this song is totally on point, and the production is excellent. He tells stories about hood life and insanity with the law, leading to the awesome hook. "Funk 2 da Head" is appealing but not outstanding, and the album finishes with the title track, an incredibly catchy and upbeat west coast anthem.



It's embarrassing that an album so great both lyrically and musically could have gone so under the radar, but the combination of lack of promotion and a flood of g-funk albums in '95 made this one of the year's slept-on gems, just like BG Knocc Out & Dresta's Real Brothas and Twinz' Conversation. Jayo is one of those rappers that seems to have been on the verge of stardom at one point, but for whatever reason it never really happened for him. Regardless, "Take a Ride" is the album that was the first to put San Diego on anybody's hip hop radar. Fans of west coast rap will love this, and anybody can appreciate the emotional lyrics and funky beats."

Where has rap gone??

Travis Jackson | Columbus, GA USA | 08/13/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It seems like rap now is all about bling, ching-ching, and grills. On this album, JAYO represents what real hip hop was about back in the day (being broke, jail time, just pure everyday LIFE). My favorite songs are #6 and #10. but overall the man does the job on the entire album. To me any rap album from early 90s to mid 90s is a classic. Even though im from the dirty south, west coast is my fav type of rap because it's chill and relaxed.......which is why i bought Jay's album. PEACE!!!"

Classic Debut

G-Funk 4ever | Listenin' to the Delfonics | 02/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jayo felony's debut album, Take a Ride slams and satisfies from start to finish. He is raw and rugged throughout. The beats here are hard core G-Funk, with vicious and rapid fiery flows. Songs like "I'mma Keep Bangin," "They Got Me On Medication," "The Loc is On His Own," show cases his hard, but unique persona. He put San Diego on the map, and shows no mercy!"