Take a Look Around | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 24, 1990 | |||
Recorded | 1988–1990 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | Golden age hip hop | |||
Length | 1:08:58 | |||
Label | Cold Chillin'/Reprise/Warner Bros. 26179 | |||
Producer |
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Master Ace chronology | ||||
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Singles from Take a Look Around | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
RapReviews | 9/10 [2] |
Take a Look Around is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Masta Ace. It was released on July 24, 1990 through Cold Chillin' Records with distribution via Reprise Records. Recording sessions took place at House Of Hits in Chestnut Ridge, New York and at Libra Digital Sound in Long Island City. Production was handled by Marley Marl and Mister Cee.
After appearing on the classic hip hop crew cut "The Symphony" with the Juice Crew in 1988, Ace released his first single, "Together" b/w "Letter to the Better" in 1989. "Together" was included in the album as well as a remixed version of "Letter to the Better".
Released in June 1990, "Me and the Biz" (b/w "I Got Ta") peaked at #47 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #8 on the Hot Rap Songs. The song, a tribute of sorts to labelmate Biz Markie, in which Ace plays the role of both himself and Biz (who reportedly couldn't make it to the studio for the actual collaboration he desired), was later featured on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as a song in rotation on the fictional radio station Playback FM . A single for "I Got Ta" was released only in the UK and Europe.
Reaching a peak position of number thirteen on the Hot Rap Songs, the album's third single, "Music Man" (b/w "Ace Iz Wild"), remained on the chart for a total of nine weeks.
"Movin' On" (b/w "Go Where I Send Thee") was released on March 6, 1991 as the final single from Take a Look Around.
All tracks are written by Duval Clear.
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Music Man" |
| 4:03 |
2. | "I Got Ta" |
| 4:27 |
3. | "Letter to the Better" (Remix) |
| 3:15 |
4. | "Me and the Biz" |
| 5:11 |
5. | "The Other Side of Town" |
| 4:52 |
6. | "Ace Iz Wild" |
| 4:51 |
7. | "Four Minus Three" |
| 3:50 |
8. | "Can't Stop the Bum Rush" |
| 5:09 |
9. | "Movin' On" |
| 4:31 |
10. | "Brooklyn Battles" |
| 3:52 |
11. | "Maybe Next Time" |
| 4:39 |
12. | "Postin' High" |
| 4:54 |
13. | "As I Reminisce" |
| 5:02 |
14. | "Take a Look Around" |
| 4:32 |
15. | "Together" |
| 5:50 |
Total length: | 1:08:58 |
Music Man
I Got Ta
Letter to the Better
Me and the Biz
The Other Side Of Town
Ace Iz Wild
Four Minus Three
Can't Stop The Bumrush
Movin' On
Brooklyn Battles
Maybe Next Time
Postin' High
As I Reminisce
Take a Look Around
Together
Chart (1990) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [3] | 38 |
Long Live the Kane is the debut album by American rapper Big Daddy Kane, released by Cold Chillin' Records on June 21, 1988. It was produced by Marley Marl and established both as premier artists during hip hop's golden age. Kane displayed his unique rapping technique while covering topics including love, Afrocentricity and his rapping prowess. Marley Marl and Big Daddy Kane display a sparse production style - creating beats with fast-paced drums and lightly utilized James Brown samples.
Duval Clear, known better by his stage name Masta Ace, is an American rapper and record producer from New York City. He appeared on the classic 1988 Juice Crew posse cut "The Symphony". He is noted for his distinct voice and rapping proficiency, and has influenced several MCs.
The Juice Crew was an American hip hop collective made up largely of Queensbridge, New York-based artists in the mid-to-late 1980s. Founded by radio DJ Mr. Magic, and housed by Tyrone Williams' record label Cold Chillin' Records, the Juice Crew helped introduce New School artists MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Roxanne Shante, Masta Ace, Tragedy, Craig G and Kool G Rap. The crew produced many answer records and engaged with numerous "beefs" – primarily with rival radio jock Kool DJ Red Alert and the South Bronx's Boogie Down Productions, as well as the "posse cut", "The Symphony".
Cold Chillin' Records was a record label that released music during the golden age of hip hop from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. A producer-and-crew label founded by manager Tyrone Williams and run by Len Fichtelberg, most of the label's releases were by members of the Juice Crew, a loosely knit group of artists centered on producer Marley Marl. In 1998, the label shut down, and the majority of its expansive catalog was bought by Massachusetts-based LandSpeed Records.
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SlaughtaHouse is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Masta Ace Incorporated and the second album by Brooklyn-based rapper Masta Ace. It was released on May 4, 1993, through Delicious Vinyl. Recording sessions took place at Firehouse Studios in Brooklyn. Production was handled by Masta Ace under his producer moniker 'Ase One', as well as the Bluez Brothas, Uneek, Latief, and the Beatheads, with Orlando Aguillen serving as executive producer. It peaked at number 134 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
Sittin' on Chrome is the second and final studio album by American hip hop group Masta Ace Incorporated and the third album by Brooklyn-based rapper Masta Ace. It was released on May 2, 1995, through Delicious Vinyl. Recording sessions took place at Firehouse Studios in Brooklyn. Production was handled by Masta Ace under his producer moniker 'Ase One', as well as the Bluez Brothas, Louie "Phat Kat" Vega and Uneek, with Orlando Aguillen serving as executive producer. It peaked at number 69 on the Billboard 200 and number 19 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
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A Long Hot Summer is the third solo and fifth overall studio album by American rapper Masta Ace. It was released on August 3, 2004 via M3 Macmil Music. Production was handled by Dams & Sla, Dug Infinite, Xplicit, 9th Wonder, DJ Serious, DJ Spinna, DR Period, Marco Polo, Khrysis, Koolade, and Ace himself. It features guest appearances from eMC, Leschea, Apocalypse, Big Noyd, Ed O.G., Jean Grae, Mr. Lee G, The Beatnuts and Rahzel.
The Best of Cold Chillin': Masta Ace is a compilation album released by Cold Chillin' Records, featuring songs released during Masta Ace's tenure at the label. The compilation features eleven of the fifteen songs originally released on Ace's debut Take a Look Around, as well as one single, one B-Side single, one remix and the original version of "Letter to the Better".
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In Control, Volume 1 is the debut studio album by American hip hop record producer Marley Marl of the Juice Crew. It was released on September 20, 1988 through Cold Chillin' Records with distribution via Warner Bros. Records.
The Tape is the debut studio album by American rapper Kid Capri. It was released on February 19, 1991, by Cold Chillin’/Warner Bros. Records. Recording sessions took place at Power Play Studios in Long Island City. Production was handled by Biz Markie with Cool V. The album peaked at No. 87 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. The album spawned two singles: "Apollo" and "Joke's on You, Jack".
The Biz Never Sleeps is the second studio album by Biz Markie. It was released on October 10, 1989, on Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros. Records and was produced by Biz, his cousin Cool V and producer Paul C, instead of Cold Chillin' in-house producer Marley Marl. The album proved to be a success, peaking at #66 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, as well as producing his most famous song and biggest hit, "Just a Friend," which made it to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the Hot Rap Singles.
The following is a discography of production credited to Marley Marl.
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The Falling Season is the seventh solo and tenth overall studio album by American rapper Masta Ace. It was released on May 13, 2016 through M3 Macmil Music/HHV.de. Recording sessions took place at Shelter Island Sound in New York and at BGB Lab in Detroit. Production was handled by KIC Beats, with Richard "Filthy Rich" Ahee and Masta Ace serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Pav Bundy, A.G., Beej, Chuck D, Cormega, Deion, Denez Prigent, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, LT, Nikky Bourbon, Pearl Gates, Queen Heroine, Stricklin, The World's Famous Supreme Team, Torae, Wordsworth and Your Old Droog among others.
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In Control Volume II (For Your Steering Pleasure) is the second studio album by American hip hop record producer Marley Marl. It was released in 1991 via Cold Chillin' Records. Recording sessions took place at Marley's House Of Hits in Chestnut Ridge, New York. Production was handled by Marley Marl himself, with Benny Medina, Francesca Spero and Tyrone Williams serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Tragedy Khadafi, Big Daddy Kane, Craig G, Heavy D, Kool G Rap and Masta Ace, who contributed on In Control, Volume 1, as well as Big Money Wiz, Chubb Rock, Chuck D, Def Jef, Eclipse, Grand Puba, Kev-E-Kev & AK-B, King Tee, Little Daddy Shane, LL Cool J, MC Amazing, MC Cash, Mike Nice, Nexx Phase, Perfection, Portia Kirkland, Pure Cane Sugar, Rap Industry For Social Evolution and The Flex. Action, Biz Markie, MC Shan and Roxanne Shanté did not appear on this album.