The Vault: Classic Music Reviews Podcast

B. Cox is joined once again by Alise and JR of the R&B Representers to reminisce on Maxwell's sophomore album Embrya as it turns 25. After amazing the music industry with his classic debut Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite just two years earlier, the prodigious soul singer linked back up with producer and musician Stuart Matthewman, just as he he had on Urban Hang Suite, looking to push the envelope stylistically than he had on his debut. In a departure of the more acoustically melody drive jazz sound of Urban Hang Suite, Embrya featured more thick bass heavy grooves with atmospheric tones and sounds to express themes of love from a spiritual perspective it. He also tapped into an "underwater" theme that inspired both the title and the sonic quality of the album.Upon release, the album had mixed reviews with some critics praising Maxwell's artistic expression and lyrical expansion while many other critics slammed the album and questioned whether Maxwell was throwing away the recipe, style and quality which made him a star on Urban Hang Suite. Nonetheless, fans made it a commercial success as it was certified platinum, driven by the lead single "Luxury: Cococure" .In the following years, critics softened their stance on the albums production and themes, citing the album as a forward-thinking project that was initially misunderstood, but became a early adopter in sounds and moods of "alternative" R&B acts and styles that would emerge later in the new millennium would mirror closely. It is also mentioned as his most stylistically creative album and one of his most personal albums. Catch Alise and JR of the R&B Representers!Web: www.rnbreps.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/rnbrepsIG: https://www.instagram.com/rnbrepsYoutube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RBRepresentersVisit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comSupport The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow NotesAlbumism: Maxwell's 'Embrya' Turns 25 | Album Anniversaryhttps://albumism.com/features/maxwell-embrya-album-anniversaryTheGrio: The life aquatic, 25 Years of Maxwell's "Embrya" https://thegrio.com/2023/06/30/the-life-aquatic-25-years-of-maxwells-embrya/SoulInStereo: 1998 Rewind: Maxwell's 'Embrya'https://www.soulinstereo.com/2023/06/1998-rewind-remembering-maxwells-embrya.htmlAugusta Chronicle: Maxwell Stays Timeless with Tour, ;Embrya' Reissuehttps://www.augustachronicle.com/story/entertainment/local/2018/10/04/maxwell-stays-timeless-with-tour-embrya-reissue/9710786007/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox reviews Tony! Toni! Tone!'s classic third album Sons of Soul as it turns 30. After their mega hit sophomore album, 1990s The Revival, the group and this album continued on its predecessors success with experimentation on their sound. Seeking different sound without a change in musical philosophy, the album featured the group's signature soul roots from Oakland, but also interpolated hip-hop drums and elements into some tracks, utilizing the Akai MPC60 and E-mu SP-1200 to create drum loops. Their main objective for this album was to pay homage to the soul acts that inspired them in a new school way with new school flavor. The other influence in this album is the Caribbean and West Indian musical and cultural roots. The group recorded and produced a large part of the album in the Caribbean island of Trinidad at the Caribbean Sound Basin recording complex. While in Trinidad, they were exposed to many aspects of island culture, including the reggae and soca party scenes and block parties with sound systems with thousands of locals. This influenced their music and sound on a few tracks and even featured local Trinidadian artist General Grant.The album featured five singles including the standard "Anniversary", "If I Had No Loot", "Lay Your Head On My Pillow" and the island inspired "Slow Wine". The album charted for 43 weeks on the Billboard 100 and was certified double platinum. The work was a commercial and critical success and was noted for being a bridge between hip-hop and R&B in a manner that was equally respected by both genres.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesAlbumism: Tony! Toni! Tone!'s 'Sons Of Soul' Turns 30 | Album Anniversaryhttps://albumism.com/features/tony-toni-tone-sons-of-soul-album-anniversarySan Antonio Observer: Tony! Toni! Tone! - Sons Of Soul Turns 30 https://saobserver.com/?p=20843TheGrio: 93 'til Infinity: A very teenage story about Tony! Toni! Tone!'s 'Sons Of Soul' Album https://thegrio.com/2023/06/09/93-til-infinity-a-very-teenage-story-about-tony-toni-tones-sons-of-soul-album/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this bonus episode, B. Cox is joined by Kahlil Wonda (Reggae Lover Podcast & Highlanda Sound System) to discuss dancehall reggae in the summer of 2003 and how several hit songs and artists happened to cross over into the American and international market to huge success. It was a phenomenon that had been on the build for almost a decade culminating in a summer 20 years ago that was heavily influenced by dancehall on the radios and in the club scene. Reggae artists and acts like Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Wayne Wonder, T.O.K. and other soca artists like Rupee and Kevin Lyttle were the all-star cast that lead the charge.They both give personal and anecdotal reflections of that time period, the riddims that dominated the genre, the artists that benefitted the most from this explosion, how it helped and also helped the reggae music genre and ultimately what it meant for culture in the years and decades that followed after it.Follow Kahlil Wonda, RLP and HSShttps://highlanda.net/Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesReggae Lover Podcast: Best Big Dancehall Riddims of the 2000s. From March 6, 2022. https://redcircle.com/shows/reggae-lover/ep/bb43a2a8-b11a-4e1a-b04c-47ae6248601bBillboard: The Diwali Riddim: Creator Steven "Lenky" Marsden Explains How a Beat Nobody Wanted Became the Sound of 20033https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/diwali-riddim-2003-story-lenky-producer-sean-paul-get-busy-1235301278/LA Times: Riding the reggae wave. From May 22, 2003https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-22-wk-pop22-story.htmlSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox and Domo review Brandy's classic sophomore album Never Say Never as it turns 25. After her smash eponymous debut album helped make her a household name among R&B fans, Brandy began to diversify her portfolio as an entertainer, starring her own sitcom Moesha, the Cinderella remake and I (Still) Know What You Did Last Summer. In late 1997, she began recording her second album now linked with an upcoming producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. Jerkins along with his production and writing team of his brother Fred, Harvey Mason, Jr, Lashawn Daniels as well other writers and producers David Foster, Marc Nelson and Diane Warren among others, set to craft a new sound for the maturing Brandy.Jerkins and his versatile production style proved to be a match for Brandy and her now mature and powerful voice and his production and writing team helped build an album that reflected Brandy's life, struggles and innermost thoughts. He also encouraged her to co-write a few of the songs, which made the project that much more candid and well rounded. The final product was something far beyond what fans or critics could dream of.The album featured up to seven singles, most notably two #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits "The Boy Is Mine: featuring fellow R&B singer Monica and "Have You Ever?" and the top 20 hits "Angel In Disguise" and "Almost Doesn't Count". The album has been certified 4x platinum and has sold 16 million copies worldwide. It is Brandy's best-selling album to date and is recognized as her best and most influential work.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesAlbumism: Brandy's 'Never Say Never' Turns 25 | Album Anniversary https://albumism.com/features/brandy-never-say-never-album-anniversaryVibe: Alex Vaughn Remakes "Almost Doesn't Count" for 'Never Say Never' 25th Anniversaryhttps://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/alex-vaughn-pays-tribute-to-brandy-never-say-never-1234764027/BET: Brandy's "Never Say Never" Was A Semi-Confessional Executed To Perfectionhttps://www.bet.com/article/y4e2n0/brandy-never-say-never-retrospective-25th-anniversaryThe Urban Journal: Essential Albums: Brandy's "Never Say Never" At 25https://urbjournal.com/brandy-never-say-never/OkayPlayer: Brandy Talks 20 Years of "Never Say Never"https://www.okayplayer.com/originals/brandy-interview-never-say-never-20-years-later-okayplayer.htmlSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In a bonus segment of "Pop Culture Corner", B. Cox & J. Owe look back at Menace II Society as it turns 30.The film starred Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, Jada Pinkett Smith, Charles S. Dutton and rapper MC Eiht among others, It was directed by brothers Allen and Albert Hughes. The cult classic, whose story about young black men struggling to overcome their environment, became an instant hit within the young black, urban and hip-hop communities. Featuring a raw, violent and gripping tale of hood life in Watts, the movie is referenced alongside Boyz N The Hood some of the best movies in black cinema in the 90s.The soundtrack, featuring many artists such Ant Banks, UGK, Brand Nubian, DJ., Quik, Pete Rock & CL Smooth Spice 1 and Too $hort, featured the Billboard Top 100 singles "Trigga Gots No Heart" (Spice 1) and "Streiht Up Menace" by movie co-star MC Eiht. The soundtrack was certified platinum and is recognized as one of the best hip-hop based soundtracks of the decade.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesYahoo: "Menace II Society" At 30: The racial reason the street drama was modeled after Goodfellas.https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/menace-ii-society-racial-reason-modeled-after-goodfellas-allen-hughes-interview-150030192.htmlRockTheBells: Menace II Society Turns 30-6 Dope Songs From The Soundtrackhttps://rockthebells.com/articles/rtb-rewind-menace-ii-society-turns-30/'Menace II Society': The Relevance of The Gangsta Movie 30 Years Later https://fanfare.pub/menace-ii-society-and-the-gangsta-film-30-years-later-b2c84c9d21aeMXDWN: Life In The Hood. Looking Back at 'Menace II Society' https://movies.mxdwn.com/feature/black-history-month-presents-life-in-hood-looking-back-at-menace-ii-society/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox and J. Owe review DMX's classic debut album It's Dark And Hell It's Hot as it turns 25. After spending years in the underground and paying his dues on the scene, the late Yonkers emcee burst onto the public scene in 1997 with a string of high profile and powerful feature verses for the likes of LL Cool J, the LOX and Ma$e. Signed to Def Jam as a part of their "revival", he sought to bring a street edge back to hip-hop, which was trending fully into the commercial and corporate era.Produced mostly by Dame Grease, but assited by the likes of Irv Gotti, PK, Swizz Beatz and Waah, the album featured dark and menacing production that was also featured anthem worthy music. Lyrically, DMX provided us a glimpse into his soul; crafting a perfect kaleidoscope of his world: street and hardcore songs, party anthems, dark and menacing tracks, candid and introspective moments as well as the occasional dose of spirituality-which would be his hallmark. While not described as lyrically adept, this combination as well his superior flow, voice and command of his audience's emotions is what made him an instant success. It featured the likes of his Yonkers compatriots The LOX, Kasino, Ma$e, Faith Evans and Ruff Ryders emcee Drag-On.The album feature four singles: "Get At Me Dog","Stop Being Greedy", "Ruff Ryders Anthem" and "How It's Going Down" with all of them having the rare distinction of charting in the Billboard Top 100. The album was certified four times platinum and began an 18-month period where he stood on top of hip-hop as the biggest and most successful star in the game.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesAlbumism: DMX's Debut Album "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" Turns 25 | Album Anniversaryhttps://albumism.com/features/dmx-debut-album-its-dark-and-hell-is-hot-album-anniversaryTime: How DMX's "It's Dark And Hell Is Hot" Changed The Course of Hip-Hop Foreverhttps://time.com/5952926/dmx-legacy-hip-hop/HotNewHipHop: DMX's "Its Dark and Hell Is Hot" Turns 25 https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/675227-dmx-its-dark-and-hell-is-hotSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In a bonus episode of "Cards, Dominoes, Drinks & Smoke", B. Cox muses on the albums from 1993, 1998 and 2003 that could qualify as albums that "defined a generation". On the heels of the announcement of WMX's inaugural season of the visual podcast "Iconic Records: Albums That Defined A Generation" covering the Notorious B.I.G's classic album Life After Death, he wonders if there were albums in the aforementioned year that would be deserving of it's own series chronicling how it shifted the culture for a generation.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8AllHipHop: 1993 Hip-Hop: The 10 Best Hip-Hop Albums from 20 Years Agohttps://allhiphop.com/features/1993-hip-hop-the-10-best-rap-albums-from-20-years-ago/Complex: September 1998: Celebrating Hip-Hop's Real Golden Erahttps://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/celebrating-hip-hops-real-golden-eraDefineARevolution: The Year In Hip-Hop: 2003 http://www.definearevolution.com/2016/03/the-year-in-hip-hop-2003.htmlSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The crew talks the late Big Pun's debut classic Capital Punishment as it turns 25. After making waves in the underground and on the Beatnuts "Off the Books" the previous year, the Bronx-bred Puerto Rican emcee lead off with this massive debut. Touting a ferocious multisyllabic rhyme still dressed with punchlines, humor and swagger, he sought to achieve a first: become the first Latino rapper with an album sporting a platinum plaque.The album was produced by a capable committee producers including JuJu and V.I.C from the Beatnuts, Young Lord, Frank Nitty, Rocwilder, dead prez, RZA, Showbiz and others. The album had a healthy feature lineup including the likes of Black Thought, Prodigy, Inspectah Deck, R&B singers Miss Jones and Joe, Busta Rhymes, Noreaga and fellow Terror Squad members Fat Joe, Cuban Linx, Triple Seis and Armageddon.Powered by the three singles, including the crossover smash hit "Still Not A Player" featuring Joe, the album was certified platinum. It is often credited as the best hip-hop album produced by a Latino rapper and also noted as one of the best lyrical performances by an emcee on an album of the 1990s.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesAlbumism: Big Pun's Debut Album 'Capital Punishment Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospectivehttps://albumism.com/features/big-pun-debut-album-capital-punishment-turns-20-anniversary-retrospectiveTheBoomBox: How Big Pun's 'Capital Punishment' Established Him As A Cultural Iconhttps://theboombox.com/big-pun-capital-punishment-established-cultural-icon/RockTheBells-Classic Albums: Big Pun "Capital Punishment" https://rockthebells.com/articles/classic-albums-capital-punishment-big-pun/Define A Revolution: Retrospective: Big Pun's "Capital Punishment" http://www.definearevolution.com/2016/04/retrospective-big-puns-capital.htmlSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox reviews Onyx's classic debut album Bacdafucup as it turns 30. After linking up with the late Jam Master Jay of Run DMC fame, the Queens group signed to his label JMJ Records. Under his watchful eye and tutelage, they recorded their debut album. The then-quartet made up of Fredro Starr, the late Big DS, Sonsee (aka Sonny Seeza or Suave) and Sticky Fingaz sought to bring their style of rugged hardcore hip-hop to the forefront. Punctuated by a high energy, rambunctious and in your face style with aesthetics marked by their trademark street look: hoodies, fatigues, Timberland boots and bald heads, they ushered in a musical and fashion style that gave them their unique selling proposition.Produced mostly by Queens producer Chyskillz and his converted jazz notes to rugged out to meet the group's style, the album featured two hit singles: the hardcore anthem "Throw Your Guns" and the crossover classic "Slam" an high energy anthem that reached No. 4 on the Billboard 100 and has become a staple in popular culture, advertisements and campaigns in the 30 years since its release. The album was certified platinum and is recognized as one of the best albums of 1993 and an album that is known for popularizing a particular style of rapping and performing as well as rugged street fashion.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comSupport The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesAlbumism: Onyx's Debut Album 'Bacdafucup' turns 30 https://albumism.com/features/onyx-debut-album-bacdafucup-album-anniversaryEverythingIsNoise: A Scene In Retrospect: Onyx - Bacdafucuphttps://everythingisnoise.net/features/a-scene-in-retrospect-onyx-bacdafucup/Rock The Bells: Bacdafucup: Onyx, Jam Master Jay and the Bald Head Invasionhttps://rockthebells.com/articles/onyx-jam-master-jay-and-the-bald-head-invasion/HipHopDX: Onyx Announce 'Bacdafucup' 30th Anniversary Tour with R.A. The Rugged Manhttps://hiphopdx.com/news/onyx-bacdafucup-anniversary-tour-ra-rugged-man-ticketsRock The Bells: Onyx Talks 30 Years of 'Slam': 1993 Was Definitely The Best Year For Hip-Hophttps://rockthebells.com/articles/onyx-slam-30-year-anniversary-interview/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox and J. Owe take a look back at Goodie Mob's sophomore album Still Standing as it turns 25. Three years after their landmark classic debut album Soul Food, the Atlanta quartet of Big Gipp, Khujo, T-Mo and CeeLo Green was still on a mission to let the world know about life in the "Dirty South". Despite releasing their album in a southern hip-hop arena that was dominated at the time by their New Orleans counterparts from No Limit, the Mob was ready to show the world that they were a testament to their album title.The album was again produced by the production trio and their Dungeon Family mentors Organized Noize, with CeeLo and T-Mo providing produciton assistance as well of the likes of Mr. DJ, DJ Muggs, Craig Love and Dave Whild. The album also featured fellow Dungeon family members and affliates in Withdoctor, Lil Will, Chiefton and Backbone.The album spawned two singles: "They Don't Dance No Mo" and "Black Ice" featuring OutKast. Despite the decreased attention and hoopla as compared to their debut, the album was fairly successful being certified gold and stands as one of hip-hop's strongest sophomore albums following a classic debut.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comSupport The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesAlbumism: Goodie Mob's 'Still Standing' Turns 25 | Annivesary Retrospectivehttps://albumism.com/features/goodie-mob-still-standing-album-anniversarySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy