This album is my favorite from Rick James. The first time I
heard it was in the summer of 1981. I had already enlisted into the U.S. Army
but was on Delayed Entry until September of the same year. This is my
personal evaluation of this great album and each cut.
1. Give it to me baby - This is the best song on the album.
Rick is pleading with a woman to make love to him after coming home high
and drunk, but of course she is not having it. The bass line is
incredible, especially when it doubles down in the middle of the song. To
appreciate the Stone City Band, Rick James backup band, you have to listen to
the instrumental and focus on that bass line by Oscar Alton. The
background vocals were done by The Stone City band, and The Temptations, with a
very distinctive Melvin Franklin in the chorus of "Give it to me".
The horn section also stands out in this great song, while most groups
were phasing out horn sections in their songs, Rick James made it mandatory in
most of his earlier hits. With this jam, Rick James established himself as
the number one funkster during the summer of 1981.
2. Ghetto Life - The intro to this song is classic,
which immediately demands your attention. The horns chime in and then
Rick starts to tell the story of his life growing up in the slums of Buffalo,
New York. Everyone who has grown up or was raised in this type of
environment can easily identify with this song. The arrangement is
priceless and when the intro comes back around in the breakdown of the song, by
this time it has captivated you to listen further about his life in the ghetto.
The favorite part of this song is towards the end when Danny Lemelle solo
sax is both soothing and relaxing, while placing the emphasis of how rough it
was living in the ghetto.
3. Make love to me - This song to me is more of a filler
and displays the talents of Danny Lamelle on Sax. The lyrics are kind of weak
in my opinion. More of a slower version of "give it to me baby"
but of course pointing out the need or horniness shall we say of wanting to
make love to his woman. Sexual innuendoes are present in the lyrics as
well, and a nice small insert from the powerful voice of bassist Melvin
Franklin from The Temptations.
4. Mr.
Policeman - This particular
song has a reggae beat to it. It basically is consistent with the concept
of the album, as Rick describes the disapproval of the authorities and their
harassment of individuals in his neighborhood. He also emphasizes how
"trigger happy" the policeman are in his community, as they will most
likely shoot first, and ask questions later. Teena Marie adds her vocals
to the song as it is ending. The horns stand out in this song, and the
beat is consistent with the reggae flavor.
5. Super Freak - This is the second best song on the
album. I'm sure Rick James has met a huge number of women that were
freaks. However, in this great song, he vividly describes her as a
groupie that wants the attention of hanging out with a superstar like Rick James.
Rick James further warns everyone that a mother would not approve of this
kind of wild and free spirited female, if you decided to bring her home. The
song has an eerie feel to it, somewhat close to The Adams Family or The
Munsters. Danny Lamelle once again displays his talents on the sax as the
song is ending, and The Temptations provide part of the chorus. This song was
the second release from the album, but gained popularity as an album cut, while
"Give it to me baby" was still fresh as the first release of the
album. Super Freak eventually crossed over to pop and became very popular
on Top 40 radio stations and mixed clubs.
6. Fire and Desire - This is the third best cut on the
album, while I’m sure most would disagree, and place it as the best. This
song is a classic slow jam. Although it was never released as a single,
it received a heavy amount of airplay, as it does today in most quiet storm
sets on urban radio markets. Rick James starts out with a rap basically
explaining how good it is to run into an old acquaintance. Rick James
sadly sings about someone that he was involved with and the mistakes that he
made with several women in his past. However this particular woman holds
a special place in his heart, and he severely regrets how he treated her, after
realizing how she touched his soul. He returns to his rap, but the best
intro that I have ever heard in a duet, is when Teena Marie comes in and
soulfully repeats the same opening lyric as Rick did. Her deeply and
soulful rendition of the same lyrics that he previously sang, has more of an
impact and can be felt one hundred times more. This song is the first of
several duets that Rick James and Teena Marie will do in his future recordings.
It is magical how they both intertwine and take turns expressing how they
both miss the relationship they once had in the past.
7. Call me
up - This to me is another
filler for the album. Rick James is basically bored and lonely, and wants
some company. His suggestion to any women is to call him up if they are
searching for a sexual encounter. He describes exactly how he wants to be
done, while consistently stressing how much he will make their visit
worthwhile. A drum solo is presented in this song as well as a recorded
female voice on a telephone. Rick evens bust a rap towards the end of the
song.
8. Below the funk - Another filler for the album is
basically about how anyone that is in the process of smoking a joint, might
want to speak on their past and present. Rick James sings about his
hometown of Buffalo, New York and ends the album with a distinctive thank you. This
song is rushed and the arrangement is crazy, but never the less is suitable for
the last cut on the album.
Once again these are my personal views on
this particular album. I will present one or two of my favorite albums
every week by a different artist, and evaluate it. I do not have a
problem with comments; all that I asked is that you keep it from being vulgar
and disrespectful. I understand everyone is not going to agree with my
views, and I am not an expert by any means, but I love music, and I am also a
music collector. Thank you and I look forward to your comments.
