Mamado & She - Wild (1989)

Mamado & She was a rap collective led by the formidable Mamado, a producer and engineer from Jacksonville, Florida.  The rest of the group, comprised of rappers, vocalists, musicians and dancers, were Joan York (Babe), Nancy Jones (Punk Rock), Sonja Lindsey (Cocoa), Talien Richardson (Kid Kusa), Victor Blanco (Spinbad), Gary Chisholm (Gee Man), and Gino Williams (Gino J).  They appeared seemingly out of nowhere in 1988 with the Miami-bass track "My Suzuki" on a local label. It garnered enough buzz that Epic Records imprint WTG signed them to an album deal.  The next single was a response to Tone Loc's "Wild Thing" called "I'm Your Wild Thang". It managed to reach #13 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart in March of 1989. The album dropped in August that year and hit #53 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Later that month, the single "Can We Take You Higher?", which was a medley of hits from Sly & The Family Stone, reached #41 on the Dance Club Songs chart.  Despite having had some, though minimal, chart success, they were dropped by WTG.  The group scattered and most of the members have disappeared, but Mamado keeps writing, producing and engineering and is an executive at Railroad Records Swat Inc. in Jacksonville. She also released an independent film entitled Bad Influences in 2010, and is keeping the woman power alive and well.

Video for Can We Take You Higher?

Download Wild

1 I'm Your Wild Thang
2 Bac' Up & Live
3 I Don't Know Y
4 Gimme Dat Thing
5 My Suzuki
6 Can We Take You Higher? (Stone Cold Medley): Sing A Simple Song / Everyday People / Thank You / I Want To Take You Higher
7 Git Up Offa Dat Beat
8 J'ville Rock
9 R.U.N. 2 Me
10 A Short Break For Da Bass
11 Bac' Up And Live (Ditty Dope Dub)
12 I Don't Know Y (N 2 The Dawn Mix)
13 I Don't Know Y (Radio Edit)

Mayomi - Mayomi (1995)

A couple of days ago a delightful friend of the Isle, Konstantin, sent me several albums off of my wantlist.  Thanks a TON for that, K! One I was looking most forward to was the only album by Japanese-Swedish rapper Mayomi.  And it does not disappoint. It was impossible to find anywhere when I first looked for it, but while researching Mayomi I saw that it was re-released in 2010 and several copies are now available on Amazon and eBay, and it's even on iTunes. Ah well, now you know where to go if you want high quality versions of your own.  I didn't find out much else about Mayomi, unfortunately.  I'm not even sure where I first heard about her, though it was likely due to her involvement on eurohouse act Melodie MC's track "Bomba Deng" from 1995.  Three years prior she and a friend appeared on the The World Rap Contest as Sista's Of Soul.  They didn't win, but ended up meeting Statikk, the producer behind Melodie MC and several other Swedish pop acts. He produced a track for them, "Make It Your Way", which was their only single before they broke up in 1993.  Mayomi went solo and released "Whatever I" the following year. Apparently it had moderate success, and with the track's producers, Collén & Webb, who were collaborators of Statikk's, she recorded her debut album for Virgin.  Three singles were released from the album in 1995 - "The Best A Man Can Get", "How Can I Get By" and the title track - and they met with some success as well.  But she only released one other single, "So In Love" in 2006, and hasn't been heard from since.  But if you enjoy other Europop rappers like Leila K, Leki, or Isle postee Daisy Dee, then you should get to know Mayomi.

Live performance of How Can I Get By

Live performance of I'm There

Download Mayomi

1	Commin' At Ya
2	I Am
3	Is This A Dream
4	How Can I Get By
5	I'm There
6	The Best A Man Can Get
7	Steppin' Out
8	Women Cry
9	Time Changes
10	Lullaby
11	Whatever I (Remix)

Precious - Soft But Hard (1990)

In case you haven't guessed, I'm a huge fan of female rappers.  And it just so happens that someone requested the only album by Precious, so here it is.  As with many of the other 90s female rappers featured on the Isle, little is available on Precious' history.  Her real name is Monica Burton, and it would appear that she's from New Jersey.  At some point she connected in New Jersey with the trio of producers collectively known as Backroom Productions, who wrote and produced most of Isle postee Jomanda's music.  In 1988 Backroom Productions had released a compilation of house tracks that included vocals by the ladies of Jomanda before they were a group, as well as the instrumental song "The Definition Of A Track (The Backroom)".  Evidently, they asked Precious to put a rap vocal on the instrumental, making it a hip-house track, and also made a new instrumental using the same rap and called it "In Motion", which is one of my fave house songs of all time, incidentally.  The double A-side of Precious' "Definition Of A Track / In Motion" was released on Big Beat in 1989 and was a dancefloor smash (the album version begins with "Definition Of A Track" and leads into "In Motion").  It's success led to a one album deal on Big Beat.  Backroom Productions produced the whole thing, and the hip-house song "Let's Get It Started" was the only other single released, backed with "Competition" (which samples M's "Pop Muzik") in the US, and released by itself on MCA Records in the UK.  The album contained a much more traditional rap sound, with only a few hip-house moments, which was perhaps not the best idea.  (For a brief interview with Precious discussing her music, watch this short 1989 documentary on Chicago Hip House.) "Let's Get It Started" failed to make the same impact, and that was the last that was heard from Precious.  Monica, now known as Dr. Burton, appears to have left her music career behind, as she is now a principle at the Patrick F. Healy Middle School in East Orange, New Jersey.  She is also on the board of managers for the East Orange YMCA.  Given the comments in reviews of her school and on the video for "In Motion" on Youtube, she doesn't appear to be beloved by her students or their parents, though to be fair, being a principle of any school isn't exactly a beloved role.  And at least we can all show her love by enjoying and appreciating her one and only musical masterpiece.

Video for In Motion

Download Soft But Hard

1	The Beats The Rhyme (The Bassline)
2	Soft But Hard
3	Competition
4	Protect The Jewel
5	27 Hawthorne
6	Lets Get It Started
7	Definition Of A Track (In Motion)
8	Power Of A Woman
9	Spenizm
10	Who Are You
11	Yesterday's Gone
12	Big Beat
13	A Better Way
14	Yesterday's Gone (Sax Version)
15	Big Beat (Vocal)

MC Peaches - More Than Just A Pretty Face (1991)

It seems that 1991 was a banner year for female rappers on major labels, although ones that didn't quite hit with the mainstream.  On this blog alone we have featured Tam Tam, Missy Mist, Icy Blu, Tycie & Woody, and Princessa of Bingoboys, who all managed to release only one album, all in 1991.  The female rap boom at this time was obviously due to the late 80s success of acts like Salt 'N' Pepa, J.J. Fad, Queen Latifah and MC Lyte, among others.  Every label wanted to have the next big lady of hip hop.  To that end, EastWest Records signed MC Peaches, a rapper from Brooklyn.  Previously she had released one single, the double-sided "Commin Straight Rollin Hard / Treat Her Like A Lady" in 1988.  The latter was produced by one of hip hop's heavyweights, King Of Chill, who had also produced MC Lyte, and rap duo Audio Two, and this association, along with Peaches' tough but feminine rap, garnered her respect in the hip hop community.  The same producers worked on her album, though the result was quite a bit less 'street' than her debut single.  The first and only single was "Every Breath You Take (Watching You)", which was obviously based on the pop hit by The Police. It was not a hit, and several other tracks utilized bits of other pop hits like John Waite's "Missing You", and Rose Royce's "Love Don't Live Here Anymore". The result was an album that was likely too pop for hip hop fans, and too hip hop for pop fans.  What became of Peaches after that is as mysterious as where she came from, since, like Tam Tam, there is virtually nothing about her on the internet, and it doesn't help that there are several other ladies of hip hop who use the moniker of Peaches.  MC Peaches, please hit us up if you see this and fill us in!

Download More Than Just A Pretty Face

1	She's Not Just Another Woman
2	More Than Just A Pretty Face
3	Every Breath You Take (Watching You)
4	Dope Is How It's Done
5	I'mma Let You Know
6	Love Don't Live Here Anymore
7	Fellas Gather Round
8	Good Thing
9	(This track has been removed from the download file thanks to a complaint regarding the copyright of the Queen song sampled)
10	Keep It In Your Pants, Tucked Away
11	I'm Not Missing You
12	Crowd Pleaser
13	Jo Ann - Outro

Missy Mist - Let The Good Times Roll (1991)

How about a bit more old school hip hop, this time of the Miami bass sort?  Missy Mist is Michelle Broom.  Originally from the Bronx, Michelle moved to Miami at a young age, where she convinced her mother to take her to a local radio station that LL Cool J was appearing at. While there, Michelle's mother convinced the security guard that Michelle could rap, and he introduced her to the DJ (and Miami bass pioneer), Eric Griffin, and his music partner Norberto Morales, who owned the successful Bass Station Records.  They liked what they heard and signed her.  Unfortunately Norberto was soon murdered, so Eric created his own label, Never Stop Productions, and started recording with Michelle, who now recorded under the name Missy Mist.  Their first track together was "Make It Mellow," in 1988, which became a Billboard rap hit.  It's success captured the attention of major label Atlantic Records, who quickly released the single on a larger scale. Missy followed this up the next year with "Gettin' Bass," which solidified her reputation as the queen of Miami bass.  Soon RCA Records came calling and Missy was signed to a lucrative deal.  With Eric again producing, the album included the Miami bass sound ("Back It Up" is the standout), but also explored other hip hop sounds, making it one of the more diverse albums from an artist associated with Miami bass.  There were samples aplenty, from Brian Hyland's "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" to S.O.S Band's "Take Your Time (Do It Right)".  The title track was the only single, and didn't fare quite as well as her previous tracks, and it would seem that RCA dropped her.  She stayed in Miami while Griffin moved to Missouri, where he was tragically murdered by thieves in his home studio in 1998.  While still dabbling in music, as well as doing voiceover work and acting, Michelle focused on being a housewife and mother.  She also went to school for Legal Studies in the hopes of one day becoming an Entertainment & Sports attorney.  And in 2013 she discussed her early days in an exciting documentary dedicated to Miami bass, The Bass That Ate Miami, which featured all of the pioneers and superstars of the genre, of which she was obviously one.  Visit her on Youtube or Facebook.

Download Let The Good Times Roll

1	Deadly
2	Let The Good Times Roll
3	Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend
4	Let's Pull Together
5	Think About Peace
6	We Can Do It
7	Rock The Funky Beat
8	Back It Up
9	Let's Get This Party Started
10	Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
11	Funky Enough

Tam Tam - Do It Tam Tam (1991)

When I started this blog, it was very difficult to find any info on the artists I featured because they were so obscure.  As time went on and the internet grew, a lot of these artists reemerged, and their internet presence grew as a result.  Most times now when I want to feature an album, I can find quite a bit about the artist if I poke around enough.  Not true of Tam Tam.  There is virtually nothing about her out there, just basic info that her real name is Tammy Hairston, she was (and still is) from Boston, and that her one single, "Do It Tam Tam," reached the lower end of the Billboard R&B Singles chart.  The album was produced by mostly unknowns, but somehow her talent got her a deal with a major label, Island.  I even reached out to LaTamra Smith, former member of Isle postees Picture Perfect, as she was mistakenly thought to be Tam Tam, and it turns out that she was Tam Tam's back-up singer and dancer, but she has not heard from her since.  A message on Youtube indicates that Tam Tam became disillusioned with the industry and left it.  And there is a Tammy Hairston on Facebook who looks like it could be her, but I didn't want to harass her in case I was wrong or she would rather not discuss it. ;)  Whatever the case, the album is full of fun pop-rap and funky R&B, and Tam Tam has a great flow.  "Sweat To Death" is a great hip-house track, and "Miss You" uses the music from the Rolling Stones song of the same name.  Tam Tam was much better than many of her peers, IMO, but her album came out when every label was signing female rappers, thanks to the success of acts like Salt 'N Pepa, MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah.  Like many of her peers, several featured on this very blog, she got lost in crowd.  And maybe she wasn't interested in fame anyway after all.

UPDATE:  Thanks to Isle visitor Martin, I discovered a bit more about Tam Tam.   Back in 1989, authors David Foster Wallace and Mark Costello set out to write an essay to explain the essence and emerging popularity of rap music.  It ended up becoming a book, Signifying Rappers (which I am currently reading with interest).  In the book the authors describe how most people in the hip hop world refused to talk to them, but they did manage to get into a Boston studio, RJam Productions.  While there they met Tam Tam, who was then 16 and recording in the studio.  She had a loose family connection to the owners. The writers interviewed her for a bit, and they paint her as very young, naive and soft-spoken, but driven to have a successful rap career. She also revealed that she was interested in pursuing modelling.  She was then working on a diss track directed at rapper Antoinette, who Tam Tam and her producers claimed stole a song she had written and recorded a demo for called "I'm Crying".  The song was about Tam Tam consoling a friend, her rap partner Pebbles (apparently there was more than one Pebbles and then Pebbles was dismissed, since Tam Tam thought she was ruining her sound). Antoinette included the track on her album Who's The Boss? Tam Tam's diss track was called "Ho, You're Guilty".  Unfortunately the writers leave Tam Tam while she's recording the track, which was never released, and the next (and last) anyone would hear from her is this album.  If you care to read some of the essay yourself, you can check it out HERE.

Video for Do It Tam Tam

Live performance of Do It Tam Tam

Download Do It Tam Tam

1	Legacy Intro
2	Legacy One
3	Miss You
4	Boston Intro
5	Do It Tam Tam
6	Juvenile
7	Got It Going On
8	Sweat Intro
9	Sweat To Death
10	I Ain't Down With You
11	Legacy Two
12	A.I.E.

One Cause One Effect ‎– Drop The Axxe (1990)

And now for a little hip hop, pop-style.  One Cause One Effect were one of the very few male/female rap duos...ever.  It seemed like an angle that just might help them hit the big time, along with their MC Hammer connection.  But alas, that wasn't the case.  The duo consisted of Terrance Davis (One Cause) and Treasure Shields Redmond (One Effect).  They met in high school in Meridian, Mississippi.  After they graduated, they moved to California in the hopes of hitting the big time.  Luckily they met MC Hammer, who was at the height of his popularity, and Terrance became a back-up rapper for him.  This led to a deal with Hammer's label, Capitol Records.  Their album was produced by Hammer's friend and collaborator James Earley, except "How Ya Livin'", which was produced by Hammer himself, and featured vocals by Hammer protegee B Angie B.  They released the single "Turntable Genius", which failed to generate much heat, and followed it with "Up With Hope, Down With Dope", which managed to only reach #77 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. The album didn't fare much better, reaching only #51 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.  They released one last, unsuccessful single, "Midnite Lover".  (In my opinion, part of the problem was that the singles weren't a good representation of the album, which was mostly upbeat, Hammer-esque pop-rap.)  Treasure then worked extensively with Hammer's protegees, female rappers Oaktown's 3-5-7, on their second album Fully Loaded, co-writing most of the songs and doing backing vocals.  But the two soon became disenchanted with the scene and left Hammer's camp.  Terrance moved back to Meridian and is now a water meter reader and occasional producer.  Treasure moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she is an assistant English professor and published poet.

Video for Up With Hope, Down With Dope

Video for Midnite Lover

Download Drop The Axxe

1		Don't Sit Down
2		Can U Dance (Get To It)
3		When I Get You Baby
4		The 90's Are Stompin'
5		Let's Get Busy
6		How Ya Livin'
7		What'Cha Gonna Do
8		Up With Hope, Down With Dope
9		Midnite Lover
10		Turntable Genius
11		Country Rap

Tarsha Vega - Diamonds And Monsters (2000)

I don't remember how I came across Tarsha Vega's name a few weeks ago, but I became curious as to who this lady was for some reason and I discovered her song "Be Ya Self".  I instantly loved what I heard and hoped that she had an album of similar stuff.  Some quick research uncovered that she did record an album, but it was never released.  Luckily some advance copies were released and I got my hands on one, so here you go!  Tarsha grew up in the Bronx mastering acting and dancing, but her young adventures to dance clubs instilled an interest in making music as well.  Through the New York nightlife she made connections in the music and entertainment world, even working part-time for the CBS Evening News. In 1998 she was introduced to up-and-coming producers Sam Hollander and Dave Schommer, then known as The Freshmaka and Duke Mushroom respectively.  They were recording a drum n' bass album as The Warriors and were looking for a female MC to feature on the album.  Tarsha gave them a sample of her skills and she was hired.  She toured with them and also appeared on the track "The Freshest" on The Freshmaka's album. She soon began working on a demo with the duo, who now went by the name Pop Rox (they would later go on to produce many successful acts such as Baha Men and Wave, as well as Isle postees Cooler Kids.  Hollander continues to produce for hit acts like Cobra Starship, Gym Class Heroes, Kelly Rowland and Katy Perry). The demo drew the attention of RCA and they signed Tarsha.  Her first single, "Be Ya Self", was featured in the movie The Adventures Of Rocky And Bullwinkle, which got her some attention.  But it clearly was not enough of a success for the label, and despite advance buzz, they pulled her album from release.  Her song "What It Beez Like" appeared a year later in the film Summer Catch, but that was the last anyone heard of Tarsha's music.  Which is very disappointing, considering the album is AMAZING!  She reminds me one of my fave artists of all time, Imani Coppola.  Like Imani she raps quite a bit, but it's all backed by a much poppier vibe and more humour than most hip hop, and she also sings.  She is a surprisingly strong rapper, and her lyrics are very clever and sometimes quite deep.  (The song "Rooftops" even features folk goddess Carole King, who was working with Pop Rox at the time.)  I was very pleasantly surprised by this album, and I'll be giving it repeated spins. Since it's release, Tarsha has done occasional acting gigs, but her main focus has been on her internet radio show and website, theKNU, which she executive produces and hosts with her friend A. Jade Smith.  The site is concentrated on a sort of life coaching through music, which isn't a surprise considering the issues she cleverly covered on her one and only album.

UPDATE:  Sam Hollander, half of Tarsha's producers Pop Rox, just left the following comment in the Chat Box.  Thanks for visiting Sam and glad you approve! 

"Thanks for the Tarsha write up. Broke my heart when it got shelved. Had a blast making it. Sam (formerly of Pop Rox)"

UPDATE #2:  Tarsha herself left a comment!  I'm so excited!!  Thanks for visiting, Tarsha, and rest assured, I have been playing the album on repeat ever since! xo

"Wow! Long time since someone has written about this album. I had a blast making it and working with Sam and Dave. Those were some good times indeed! Yes I am now doing theKNU and loving it! You should chk it out. Wouldn't mind even having you on as a guest?  Thank you again for the great write up! Tarsha Vega :0) theKNU.com"

Video for Be Ya Self

Download Diamonds And Monsters

1		Da One
2		Be Ya Self
3		Diamonds And Monsters
4		Time
5		What It Beez Like
6		Goodbye Girl
7		Celluloid Zero
8		Coney Island High
9		Leroy
10		Shine On
11		Rooftops

A.N.G. - Outta Bounds (1994)

So I thought I'd post a quick one this time as I have a little time and don't want to keep ya'll waiting for something new for too long. This is the only album by A.N.G., which stands for "Aint No Gains". There is so little info in the CD booklet to determine anything about this artist. It appears A.N.G. was a solo female rapper (she calls herself 'Angie ANG' on some tracks), and from the obscured image in the booklet I can't determine her exact race. It was released on the indie label Wall Street Records, which was based in Detroit (and is still based in Michigan), so I assume that's where A.N.G. is from as well. Given the cover with A.N.G. surrounded by a gang on a dark city street, you'd assume this album was gangsta rap, but not at all. (Likely the obscured and misleading album art didn't help the album's success.) It's totally pop-rap, reminiscent of Monie Love or The Real Roxanne's first album. There is even hip-house and the song "I Got What It Takes" samples the Mary Jane Girls classic "In My House". The tracks "Hello Baby" and "Rufless Hoe" were released as singles, but I think it's safe to say they failed to hit anywhere, except maybe locally. And that's all I have on A.N.G.. If anyone else knows anything, please do let us know. For now, enjoy the album, which I admit I only listened to once before, eons ago when I first bought it from a $1 bin - listening to it again, it is actually much better and a lot more fun than I remember.

UPDATE:  A.N.G. herself, real name Angie Gallizzi,  just wrote and gave us a full rundown of her career!  Amazing!  Glad you checked back, Angie, as I wouldn't want you thinking you were being dissed here! LOL I suspected that your image was obscured due to race issues, which is an unfortunate circumstance, as it seems to have gotten easier for "white" rappers.  Your story is an amazing one that many will appreciate here as I'm sure it's similar to several other artists featured here.  Well, at least here your legacy lives on!  Thanks again for filling us in!  Much appreciated.  Everyone who wishes to, contact her Facebook page. So, with no further ado, here is Angie's story (it seems you had to write it twice - sorry, not sure why it didn't work the first time, but since you added a few different pieces of info I'm going to quote both messages. ;):

"I was born and raised in Southwest Detroit. My name is Angelica. I am actually Italian (it was intentional that you could not tell my nationality/race). I stumbled upon the opportunity to rap in 1992 due to auditions through Wall Street Records. By signing with all three Wall Street entites (Records, Production, Management), they had total control over my career. I was made an offer by a major label, but (unfortunately and fatally) Wall Street declinded on my behalf, so here I sit, amongst the 'Isle of Deserted Pop Stars.' LOL. With the proper guidence, I know I could have made it, since my lyrics were versatile (lyrics you won't find on this album!) and my voice could not allow you to guess much about how I looked. I was not allowed to rap how/what I wanted to (my lyrics were extremely street, with a somewhat comical twist), because they (Wall Street) wanted me to be commercial. I actually blew up on Indiana (Southbend area) and did okay amongst D.J.s in Eurpoe. I did some good shows and opened up for Marky Mark, 95 South, and Compton's Most Wanted, and MC Breed (from Flint, Michigan) quite a few times. I would rap offstage for a few minutes to get the crowd into it before I let them know what I looked like; walking out in the early-90s, pale as I was, could turn the crowd completely off. My one and only video for London Bridge still resides on various video networks (http://www.songmama.com/song_213_A.N.G.-London_Bridge.html). Kurtis Blow produced a few cuts on the album. 'Hello Baby' was actually partially remade from Kurtis Blow's 'Good to Go.' I remember him specifically telling me that I was a great writer, an awesome rapper, and that I would never make it (for various reasons). I'm guessing he was right! LOL. Hope this helps and thanks for giving me props. I am actually a pretty good (albeit washed-up) rapper and one of the few who can actually still 'freestyle' the way 'freestyling' was meant to be defined. Anybody with questions can holla at me: Angie Gallizzi (Facebook). PEACE!

My name is Angelica. I am Italian, born and raised in Detroit. I was signed with Wall Street Records, Production, and Management in the early-1990s. It is intentional that you cannot tell what my nationality/race is. I opened for the likes of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, 95 South, and Compton's Most Wanted, as well as MC Breed out of Flint, Michigan (he opened for me once). I used to rap off stage for a few minutes to get the crowd into the show. In the early-1990s it could prove to be quite a bad move to just walk out on stage, as pale as I was. I blew up in Indiana...Southbend area mostly, and did okay in Europe, so I hear. Kurtis Blow was a producer on a few tracks. "Hello Baby" is actually somewhat of a remake of his B-side "Good to Go" (we used the lick on that one)--I completely rewrote the verses. He (Kurt) pulled me to the side and told me that I was a great writer, and awesome rapper, and that I would never make it. He was well aware of my contractual obligation/situation (I signed my life away to Wall Street), and he proved to be right when (unbeknownst to me) a MAJOR label from NYC offered me a deal, which was turned down by my management. Wall Street released my album, but put a lot of money into a group in Atlanta, which proved to be fatal, since that group refused to interview on white radio stations or do certain shows (meanwhile, I grabbed at any exposure I could get). Once Wall Street started to sink, my project was deserted. Hence, I forever reside on the "Isle of Deserted Pop Stars." LOL. For the record, I had songs with amazing lyrics, very street, with a comical twist (you will not find any of this on my album), but was not allowed to rap what/how I wanted to, since Wall Street wanted me to be commercial. And, there you have it! Any other questions, I would be glad to answer here or on Facebook...Angie Gallizzi. If you search that name and come up with 'Whodadaddy Datchocolatedbaby' and see a pale neck with a Detroit 'D' on it, then you have found the right Angie! PEACE!"  

Download Outta Bounds

1		Outta Bounds / That Played Out Trip
2		Havin A Baby
3		Life Goes On
4		Political Trippin Intro
5		Political Trippin
6		Outta Bounds / Keep Em Rollin
7		I Got What It Takes
8		Outta Bounds / Turn Up Da Bass Base
9		Jack Jam
10		Rufless Hoe
11		Outta Bounds / Do You Lof Me
12		London Bridge
13		Hello Baby

Times 3 - Times 3 (1991)

So here we have a request from Micky G (which also helps fulfill the requests for more new jack swing here). I had the Times 3 album on cassette and remembered quite enjoying it, so when he asked I found the CD on Amazon and ordered away. It is deeply entrenched in the new jack swing sound, though to my ear it is a bit poppier in parts. The group itself is yet another of those for which no information exists on the internet (yet). All I can tell you is that it consisted of LaShana Denoy (who is said to be a former choreographer for MC Hammer), Keesha Hollier (who is indicated as a former "NWA rapper", though I find that hard to believe) and Stephanie Bell. They were on the Solar label, and were produced by relative unknowns. Their song "Typical Relationship" appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Deep Cover and became their best known track, though it didn't exactly set the charts on fire. They also released their cover of the Emotions disco hit "Best Of My Love" as a single, though it too wasn't a hit. Vocally they had all of the right elements, and the album was a good mix of ballads and upbeat numbers, including quite a bit of rap and even a hip-house track. The sampledelic song "Time To Get Loose" even includes a sample from my fave song ever, Sweet Sensation's "Take It While It's Hot"! But the ladies came out at a time when there were many female "new jill swing" groups, and they just didn't possess an angle to make them stand out. Also, it likely didn't help that their label Solar was nearing the end of it's success, and promotion was minimal. So once again I ask, what became of these ladies? If anyone out there knows, please share. Until then, enjoy a curio from the glory days of new jack swing.

UPDATE: Keesha from Times 3 wrote me the other day and helped to fill in some of the mystery around the group!  She promised to send a more detailed history, but here's what she wrote so far.  Thanks Keesha!  We're thrilled! 

"As you can see, throughout the years the lot of female trios groups etc. is failing horribly. Females can be challenging. Lashana only went on tour with Hammer after we opened up for the Hammer, TLC and Boys II Men show. It was a great opportunity since as a little girl she was on Different Strokes and a few other sitcoms as an extra and is a great dancer. The whole group was her idea. It was not my life dream, however I don't regret the chance or blessing to meet or be a part of the era. Here's an extra: You may not know we are the voice on Michel'le's 'Something In My Heart' as well as 'Never Been In Love' and 'Close To Me' on her album. Easy E actually paid us our first paycheck before we signed with Solar/Epic. We are also the background on 'Who Am I, What's My Name' by Snoop Dogg . Listen closely that is Lashana on the 'doggy dog doggy dog' riffs at the end. Da da da da dah! It was a fun ride great and experience... It may take me a bit to get back to you - if you have any particular questions let me know. Oh yeah, and 'Typical Relationship' - the rap was based on a guy, produced by the group Troop's producers - the song they had was 'Mamacita' - also for our era. Peace!"

Video for Typical Relationship

Download Times 3

1		3 Bad Sistas
2		Best Of My Love
3		Typical Relationship
4		Shine
5		Don't Give Up
6		Love Will Find Its Way
7		Time To Get Loose
8		Dance, Do You Wanna
9		Good Lovin'
10		Make Up Your Mind
11		Until You
12		Hip House (Everybody's Movin')
13		Gentle Love
14		Stay
15		Only You

Tycie & Woody - Tycie & Woody (1991)

Here's some more tasty pop-rap for you! Tycie and Woody are Tycie Person and Wallace Wood. Tycie is the female rapper while Woody, well, I guess he does the music? The credits on the CD don't mention it, but since he is part of the duo's name, I imagine that's what he does, as he doesn't do vocals. Anyway, this came out when rap was exploding and labels were snatching up any act they could find, the poppier the better. There are also tastes of hip-house here, the popularity of which would soon come to an end. That might explain why the duo came and went so quickly. Their one and only single, "The Rhythm's Gonna Get You" is a fun dose of hip-house, with vocals by gospel singer Carol Hall. It's very much like the C+C Music Factory sound that was the rage at the time. But it didn't chart, and obviously Elektra decided not to bother promoting the album any further. I can find no further info on the duo, but I believe Tycie is on Facebook. I don't want to harrass her, but if someone else wishes to... ;) The album is more notable for the production work of The Funky Bass Brothers aka F.B.T or Mark & Jeff Bass. This was their first major production job, and it would be a long time before they re-emerged. But re-emerge they did in 1992, and in a big way, after hearing an unknown white rapper named Eminem freestyle on the radio and inviting him into the studio for free sessions. They produced much of his first album and the rest is history.

Download Tycie & Woody

1		The Rhythm's Gonna Get You
2		Red Hot Mama
3		Get Up And Do It
4		Sophisticated Lady
5		To Take The Stand
6		My Point Of View
7		The Drama
8		Woody's Dream
9		Poetical Princess
10		Crayons