Word 2 the Wize

Description

Word 2 the Wize is the debut album by the American hip-hop duo Dynamic Twins (Noel and Robbie Arthurton), released on Broken Records in 1991, a Brainstorm Artists International imprint manufactured and distributed by Word. Also manufactured and distributed by Epic, a division of Sony Music. (This would be the last album released by Brainstorm under the Broken moniker. Future efforts would be issued under the BAI – Brainstorm Artists International – moniker, or simply Brainstorm.) The album was recorded by David Guzman at Anointed Sound in San Bernardino, California; with Super C of S.F.C. fame (tracks: A2, A4, A6 to A8, B2, B5, B7) and Dynamic Twins (tracks: A3, A5, B1, B3, B4, B6) producing. (Produced and arranged for C-Mode Productions.) Mixed by Dynamic Twins, Gene Eugene, and Super C at the Mixing Lab B in Huntington Beach, California.

[Jamie Lee Rake, CCM, June 1991]

When Dynamic Twins say, “No, I’m not no Sandi Patti,” in «Shaken Off the Dust», they’re not kidding. These are ‘Word(s) 2 the Wize’ that this is no Adult Contemporary release.

Instead, they have given us another authentic rap record, to enjoy along with Soldiers For Christ’s recent release, ‘A Saved Man (in the Jungle)‘. In fact, S.F.C.’s Chris Cooper was the producer on this project. Cooper’s hand can be heard throughout, as the Twins have been given access to some of the best sampling and scratching in Christian rap.

My memory did back flips when I heard the funky guitar riff from the “Theme From Shaft” on the opening cut «Mission». Other listeners may get the same buzz I got when they hear that familiar soulful James Brown shout interspersed in the grooves, or as they try to place which Jimi Hendrix song the crunching guitar chords on «Shaken Off the Dust» come from, I’d like to see these guys’ record collection.

Where as S.F.C.’s record took on a broader spectrum of topics, which included racism, as well as many Spiritual issues, Dynamic Twins have stuck close to biblically based raps. Heaven is described in «Uptown», temptation is addressed in the song «I Ain’t Wit’ It», and an end times scenario is explored in «The Judge».

Although the majority of ‘Word 2 the Wize’ consists of hard, in-your-face raps, the Twins (who really are twins – I’ve seen em) have also laid down the equivalent of a rap ballad with «We Need Love». Over a chorus which repeats the song’s title, sung by none other than Crystal Lewis (if my guess is correct), the boys sing about the ills of society which can only be fixed by the love of the Lord. It’s a nice break from the constant musical scud attack. The record even includes an instrumental, what’s next mime poets?

The only drawback is that ‘Word 2 the Wize’ doesn’t have the same edge as S.F.C.’s ‘A Saved Man’, which I think is the record future Christian rap will be compared to. Nonetheless, you could do much worse than Dynamic Twins. Should you pick up the latest from Soldiers for Christ and ‘Word 2 the Wize’, you’ll own the current Twin Peaks of Christian rap. [Dan MacIntosh, Harvest Rock Syndicate, Issue 2, 1991 (Volume 6)]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/word-2-the-wize/661880216)

CD tracklist:

01. Mission – 4:03
02. The Judge – 3:52
03. Fantasy – 3:25
04. Backbiter – 4:49
05. He’s All I Need – 4:24
06. Persuaded – 3:50
07. Real Thing – 4:43
08. Word 2 The Wize – 2:30
09. Uptown – 4:32
10. That’s How I’m Livin’ – 3:59
11. We Need Love (feat. Crystal Lewis) – 6:15
12. I Ain’t Wit’ It – 3:38
13. Shakin’ Off Dust – 4:07
14. Keep Goin’ / Talk On Your Record – 5:35
15. The Judge (Instrumental) – 3:20

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Broken Records and Epic, and as well released on 12-inch vinyl LP by Epic.

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