U-Neek

Last updated
U-Neek
Superd 1056979.jpg
Studio album by
Released1991
Recorded1990–1991
Genre Reggae
Length50:22
Label Island [1]
Producer Glenn "Daddy-O" Bolton, Matt Robinson, Augustus "Gussie" Clarke
Eek-A-Mouse chronology
Mouse-A-Mania
(1989)
U-Neek
(1991)
Black Cowboy

U-Neek is an album by the Jamaican reggae artist Eek-A-Mouse, released in 1991. [2] [3] He supported the album with a North American tour. [4] "You're the Only One I Need" was released as a single. [5]

Contents

Production

The album was produced primarily by Glenn "Daddy-O" Bolton, Matt Robinson, and Augustus "Gussie" Clarke. [6] It includes a cover of Led Zeppelin's "D'yer Mak'er". [7] "Border Patrol" is about the Immigration and Naturalization Service. [8] "Rude Boys a Foreign" concerns drug trafficking. [9] "No Problem" involves Eek-A-Mouse leading nations and solving hunger crises. [10] "So Fine" contains a sample of "Spinning Wheel". [11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]

Newsday wrote that "U-Neek is full of oddities, from an apparently sincere love song ('You're the Only One I Need') to 'Gangster Chronicles', which features the Eekster rapping—or toasting—his own lyrics to part of the 'Theme from The Godfather'." [14] The Boston Globe determined that "the album moves faster than most reggae purists would like, but Eek-A-Mouse delights and informs while breaking new musical ground." [15] The State noted that Eek-A-Mouse "can toast and rap with the best of the dance-hall sing-jays, then turn around and croon a romantic melody like a rasta Sinatra." [16]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Yc"4:58
2."Love Me"6:04
3."D'yer Mak'er"4:06
4."Get Away"4:28
5."Gangster Chronicles"4:55
6."So Fine"4:47
7."Border Patrol"6:14
8."Rude Boys a Foreign"5:33
9."No Problem"5:38
10."Let the Children Play"4:07

Personnel

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References

  1. Moskowitz, David Vlado (2006). Caribbean Popular Music: An Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall. Greenwood Press. p. 103.
  2. Bream, Jon (16 Aug 1991). "A Mouse in the House". Star Tribune. p. 1E.
  3. "Eek-A-Mouse". Weekend Preview. Houston Chronicle. June 28, 1991. p. 3.
  4. "He is perhaps the most distinctive reggae singer in the world...". Arizona Daily Star. December 18, 1992.
  5. Thompson, Dave (2002). Reggae & Caribbean Music. Backbeat Books. p. 106.
  6. Abbott, Jim (28 June 1991). "Critically-acclaimed Jamaican singer Eek-A-Mouse...". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 3.
  7. Goldstein, Patrick (16 June 1991). "Pop Eye". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 71.
  8. Locey, Bill (5 Sep 1991). "Eek-A-Mouse". Los Angeles Times. p. J12.
  9. Eichenberger, Bill (May 26, 1992). "Squeek, Squawk, Click". The Columbus Dispatch. p. 8E.
  10. Kassulke, Natasha (January 28, 1994). "Eek Is One Mighty Mouse". Rhythm. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 4.
  11. Pahnelas, Bill (July 17, 1991). "Eek-A-Mouse U-Neek". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. B9.
  12. U-Neek at AllMusic
  13. Colin Larkin (2006). "Eek-A-Mouse". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music . Vol. 3 (4th ed.). Muze, Oxford University Press. p. 229. ISBN   978-0-19-531373-4.
  14. Robins, Wayne (22 Nov 1991). "With a Taste of Rock and Roll". Part II. Newsday. p. 86.
  15. Cawley, Jimmy (2 Jan 1992). "Eek-A-Mouse U-Neek". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 2.
  16. Miller, Michael (August 23, 1991). "New Releases". The State. p. 10D.