Disco de Cypress Hill: “Cypress Hill”

I was not expecting what I got when I picked up this CD. The only member of this crew that I was familiar with was Grandmixer Muggs, from his days with the 7A3. I knew he was a good D.J., but I was skeptical when I heard that he was producing this album. My fears were unfounded, though. Muggs provided this album with the freshest sounds that have ever come from the West Coast. His beats fit perfectly with B-Real's nasal delivery.

Another good thing about this record, that you don't find anymore with hip-hop albums, is that one talented producer handled the entire project, giving it a cohesive sound. A lot of albums nowadays have 10 or more different producers, so the record comes out disjointed. Not so with this one. I also like the fact that Grandmixer Muggs didn't choose obvious samples when making the beats. I mean, who would think of sampling "The Duke of Earl"? I can't really pick a favorite cut off this record, because the entire album is bombay. But the most memorable cut is "Latin Lingo". The beat is smoky and surreal,and the video was insane.

This was one of the best joints of '91, or any year for that matter. I'll just say, if you want a record that reminds you of what hip-hop was meant to be, and how it used to be, then "Cypress Hill" is the joint for you. But bring your own bong.

Cypress Hill's Debut Album (along with second album "Black Sunday") is their best album effort......After Virtually coming from nowhere to take a firm stranglehold on the then floundering Hip-Hop scene, which was lacking innovation, sleazy Lo-fi fat Beats with a distinctive sound all of their own (Courtesy of D.j Muggs) , coupled with rapper "B-Real's" latino-voiced pro-marijuana rhetoric, which was to prominently feature in all their albums, so peace to mi homies B-Real, Frost & Mellow Man Ace, mi homie Sen Dawg for background vocal hook ups & mix-master DJ Muggs for makin' beats so god damn funky! The song Pigs is pretty much an N.W.A.-post about politicaly hypocritical cops in South Central, Lynwood, Watts, Florence, South Gate where Cypress Hill grew up in, How I Could Just Kill A Man became a chronic classic from the sticky green smelly buddah tokin' crew, Hand On The Pump is 1 of my personal favorites of theirs and the 1st music vieo of theirs I've seen, and the song Stoned Is the Way of the Walk is a hard stoner joint that is just str8 up grimy.

Dr.Greenthumb's Soulja's best joints are *1, *2, *3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, *10, 11?, 12, 13, 14, 16 & 16.

Still scorching years later, Cypress Hill's debut, despite having plenty of Gangster rap, is much more free, much more fun, and much more comical than the way too serious Gangsta Rap. Led by the funky, bass heavy, and creative sampling production of DJ Muggs, Cypress Hill leads you on a tale into the heart of LA and the Latino community. Ah who cares, it's just an awesome blend of thick bass, psychedelic sounds, funk guitar, Latin music, and infectious, crazy beats.

The only reason why I am giving this not quite a five star is the presence of some distracting samples, most likely the guitars on Pigs and Real Estate (the latter is still a great song, although the former I can't stand because of it, sorry), and the outro (which is basically a silly remix of Stoned is the Way of the Walk) is sort of "eh". If they would have stretched Born to Get Busy to a three minute length, that would have been much better. Also, Hole in the Head isn't AS good as the rest, but given how good the rest of the album is, it doesn't say that much. This is a classic album that still holds up after these years, so get it and light another. It's a rich album.

It's kind of weird for me to see such a group like Cypress Hill debut so long ago, that I wonder where has the time gone? Their self titled debut ranks as one of the top debuts in Hip Hop history. B-Real's nasal flow makes his vocals sound very unique here on the album. Then there is DJ Muggs, who shows his stellar production all throughout the album. Then there is Sen Dog (Mellow Man Ace's brother), who just sound hilarious to me, especially with his background vocals.

Throughout this album, the standouts are easy to pick out. The singles "How Could I Just Kill A Man" and "Hand On The Pump" are both great. Further on the album, you have the track "Stoned Is The Way Of The Walk". Muggs places a spin on the loud horns all on the track. In fact, Muggs' production helps a lot of the tracks standout. It works with Sen Dog on his solo track "Latin Lingo", and I believe that is him rhyming in Spanish on "Tres Equis". Everything comes together on "The Cypress Hill ****", as that is one of my favorite tracks from the group.

Only tracks that really didn't standout for me are "Psycobetabuckdown", and "Real Estate". Both tracks have an innovative Cypress Hill sound, but did absolutely nothing for me.

Cypress Hill's self titled album hold high regards to their longtime fan base. Many may consider this as their best album, and I have to agree. I also recommend you listen to their 1993 follow up album

, as it follows the same route as this one. An album with excellent production and great concepts, this album is definitely worth a purchase to add in your collection. Peace.

Lyrics: A-

Production: A

Guest Appearances: N/A

Musical Vibes: B+

Top 5 Tracks:

1. The Cypress Hill ****

2. Hand On The Pump

3. How Could I Just Kill A Man

4. Stoned Is The Way Of The Walk

5. Tres Equis

Honorable Mention:

1. Born To Get Busy

2. Light Another

This is the best hip-hop albumn ever. Period.