Search - Odd Squad :: Fadanuf Fa Erybody

Here to say a lil' somethin'...

SmokaJ | TORONTO | 07/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"~~WARNING!!! All you Rap-A-Lot heads expecting this to be another release full of shoot-em-ups and gangster narratives over hard beats heed this warning! This is no typical Rap-A-Lot album, I mean, Scarface doesn't even make an appearance!~~



The Odd Squad is a truly unique (in these pathetic Hip-Hop days especially) trio of Houston MC's, and they focus mainly on chronic, pu55y, more chronic and chronic pu55y. Seriously, only about 1/4 of the cuts on the album are non-weed/pu55y related...and that's just fine by me! This album is pure fun and provides the perfect soundtrack to a lengthy bong cession.



The trio consists of the now world famous Devin the Dude (this was his first album, back then just known as Devin), Jugg Mugg and Hip-Hop's first (and only?) blind MC, Rob Quest. Each has a style to his own and a personality to match - no stale, lifeless MC's here folks!

As you can imagine, Devin is exactly as we know him now - stoned and horny, and dropping hilariously dope stories verse after verse. Jugg Mugg is alright, he's nothing special but tolerable and he can hold his own in-between Devin and Rob's verses. Rob is the real surprise here, the kid can ferociously rip a mic. To me he sounds kinda like A-Plus from Souls of Mischief in his ability to ride a rhythm and kick mad lyrics (a true compliment!) His two solo tracks "Jazz Rendition" and the incredible "I Can't See It" are stand-outs and are the only cuts where the MC tears apart the mic (check it!) without a mention of weed or a55. I guess what they say is true about the blind - their other senses are heightened...in Rob's case his vocal abilities have sky-rocketed. The best thing about the Odd Squad is their diversity, not on topic material, but within the MC's themselves. As I said before, each has a personality to his own, and real Hip-Hop heads know what a rarity that is in Hip-Hop groups.



As for the album itself, the beats are amazing! Each one compliments the track's topic and the MC's handle them like pros. They're mostly classic '94 laid-back stoner beats, with a couple of harder tracks thrown in for variety compliments of Rob Quest (see solo tracks above). Note, Rob's tracks may take you by surprise!



What makes this album so special (and highly sought-after, therefore expensive) is the fact that it's one of those oh so rare, listen straight through-no need to skip a track-play it again and again and tell a friend albums. In fact, back in '98 Scarface called "Fadanuf fa Erybody," `the best album Rap-A-Lot has ever released' and I find that very hard to argue.



Bottom Line: What more can I say? This album is so fun and I cram to think of any fan of old-school Hip-Hop not loving it. 5 stars, PEACE.

"

Classic

MikeGibbons | Orleans, MA | 08/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an all out classic album. Southern funk meets 94 era hip hop flavor. Its like if Tribe Called Quest were funny dudes from Texas that liked smoking weed and drinking. I can't recommend this album enough. If you like hip hop period, you need to own this."

Believe the hype!

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 10/27/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rap-A-Lot Records has amassed a legendary catalog of classic albums from Houston, most released in the mid-90s and many of which have now gone out of print. The Odd Squad's 1994 LP "Fadanuf fa Erybody!!" is one that stands among the label's finest releases, but barely resembles the others at all. Rap-A-Lot made a name for themselves with dark, gloomy, slow, and funky hip hop from the likes of Geto Boys, 5th Ward Boyz, Menace Clan, Facemob, and Mad CJ Mac, among others. Odd Squad's product of lighthearted, friendly, and upbeat hip hop stands out among the rest.



The trio of Devin the Dude, who later would become an underground legend as a solo artist, Jugg Mugg, and Rob Quest, a hilarious blind rapper, could make a case for the funniest trio of MCs around. If you like the comedic stylings of the Pharcyde, this is the album for you. These guys sarcastically rap about the average life they live, and instead of rapping about guns and violence like many of their contemporaries, they rap about smoking weed or humorous tales of a day in the life. Rob Quest even pokes fun at his handicap, and Devin delivers a lot of the hooks in his sing-song flow like he is known for doing today. Their rhymes are conversational and often hysterical. They emit a truly laidback vibe that makes it perfect for just listening to while relaxing.



The music is similarly laidback, but it's often beautiful. A southern funky-fried guitar lick can be found as the backbone for most tracks musically, and the use of harmonicas, saxophones, horns, and bass is also prevalent. It's loose and sometimes even feels kind of live. The combination of the ripe jazzy and funky music with the upbeat, goofy rhymes makes a truly unique hip hop album. Their are multiple guest appearances, all from rappers that adapt to Da Squad's brand of humor. Scarface once called this "the greatest Rap-A-Lot release ever," and while I believe he was being a bit humble there (he did make The Diary after all!), it's easy to see where he's coming from. The skits are funny, the rappers are hilarious, and the music is perfect.



After the intro, the album opens with the introductory "Da Squad," a heavy funker that immediately induces severe head-nodding with their unique sound and funny verses. On "H..s Wit Babies," they spin hilarious yarns about the problems with trying to get with single mothers, such as having to take little kids to McDonald's and being interrupted. Again the music is dense and funky. Then on "Here to Say a Little Something," they shun mainstream hip hop devoid of any lyrical substance and assert themselves as the opposite. "Smokin' Dat Weed" is an enjoyable, chilled-out weed ode, and "Putcha Lips" in a silly, desperate attempt for some more love from the ladies. The accurately titled "Jazz Rendition" is a higlight, and "Coughee" is another dedicated to their drug of choice. "Fa Sho" is a slow, addictive groove over which the trio raps about a female dilemma. This song later appeared on Devin's 2002 album Just Tryin' ta Live. "I Can't See It" is another very memorable one, where Rob Quest makes fun of his blindness over some fast and funky production. The low-key "Your P's Like Dope" has a slow, slippery musical backing and well-delivered performances. Another true highlight is the 8-minute posse cut "Came Na Gedown," where darn near every rapper signed to Rap-A-Lot in '94 shows up to kick it on a party jam with Da Squad. It's great to hear even the hardest of Houston's gangsta rappers sound like they're having fun, such as Scarface, DMG, 2 Low, and 3-2. The album closes with "Long Time Comin'," a funky outro of sorts.



"Fadanuf fa Erybody!!" is every bit as good as its legend, and now that it's finally been rereleased after all these years of being out of print, it should be an immediate addition to any hip hop collection. Fans of Devin the Dude's work will adore this gem, it stands tall among even his wonderful solo albums, although the sound is quite different. Hip hop was at its finest in the great year of 1994, and obscure classics like this are one of the reasons why. For those who are interested, the group released a new LP as The Coughee Brothaz in late 2007 called Waitin Our Turn. Do yourself a favor and peep "Fadanuf fa Erybody!!""