Artist:         East End
Title:          Beginning of 'E' End
Production Co:  File Records
Cat#:           23FR001D
Release:        1992
Price:          Y2300
Length:         33'54"
Track Data:
         1  Beginning of "E END"
         2 R U Ready ?!
         3 Now You Know Why
         4  TAXI
         5  E#1
         6  HI-TO-ME-BO-RE
         7 Summer Time
         8  SUI-TIME
Goodies:        Standard Jewelbox.  Booklet with lyrics.

Comments:
One of the most solid of Japanese Rap Groups.  Excellent production,
tight lyrics, funky bass, but they sound like YBT to me (ugh!).  Unusual
subject matter, such as AIDs, smoking, and riding taxis.  All in Japanese.
Cover:
"EAST END"
"Beginning of The END"
Photo of three members framed in Purple.
Grade: A-                       Genre: Rap

Bought at the Wave in Ikebukuro.
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Artist:         ECD
Title:          ECD
Production Co:  Major Force (Epic/Sony)
Cat#:           TGCS-95
Release:        1992
Price:          Y3000
Length:         49'43"
Track Data:
         1  Power of the Underground
         2  Mistaa WICKED
         3  Hip Hop Game
         4  3 Years
         5  Aoi Me no Ejian (Asian)
         6  mouth to mouth
         7  Mana De Bakushou Daa
         8  Tenteki-Kun
         9  Atakku No. 1
        10  BOOM.BOOM.BOOM.
        11  Ike Ike ECD~Hirake Goma
        12  Sutiibii Wandaa no Douko (The Eyes of Stevie Wonder)
        13  Chekku.Yua.Maiku (1992 Remix)
        14  encore: I Say "HO"
Goodies:        Standard jewelbox.  Fold-out lyrics sheet with poster on back.

Comments:
ECD was one of the first to attempt rap music in Japanese and does it well,
that is, if you ignore the lyrics.  ECD's lyrics are terribly cryptic,
far more so even, than other Japanese rap acts.  Sometimes he doesn't sound
very polished, though his feel for the music is good.  This album cannot,
also, be compared one-to-one with U.S. rap acts.  Here, again, this is a
different game, the music is still evolving.  He attempts, at times, to delve
into other rap styles:  old school, new school, dancehall, "hardcore."
Somehow none of it is quite convincing. The lack of quality in the production
doesn't help either, but by his next album it should have made substantial
improvements, and could be quite good.  I enjoy this album, but wouldn't
wholeheartedly recommend it.
Cover:
ECD sits  in front of an oil-drill?
"ECD"

Grade:  B-              Genre:  Rap
Bought at Tower Records in Hiroshima

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Artist: 	El-Malo
Title:  	Starship In Worship 
Production Co:  
Cat#:          	TFCC-88305
Release:        1993
Price:         	Y3000 
Length:        	47'19"
Track Data:
1. Starship In Worship
2. Big Ship Whopper
3. Apes-Ma
4. Monkey Monarchy
5. Voo Doo Suite I
6. Space Jungle Struggle
7. Voo Doo Suite II
8. Floppy Loot Stomp
9. Little Papillion
10. Cosmic Dragon Dub
11. Outer Space Homesick Blues
12. Justice Ruin Dem (Heliocentric Dub)
13. Voo Doo Suite III
14. Mighty Planet

Cover:
"El-MALO"
Cute painting in the "control room" depicts a spaceship painted
with the words "Starship in Worship" flying across the viewscreen.
Bandmember Yunoki Ryuichiro is in a space-suit on the smaller
screen below, munching sloppily on a corn-dog, and bandmember
Shigekazu Aida sits in the control room, one hand on a lever, and the
other holding a spoon, about to dig in to a big omelette covered in
catsup.

Comments:
Excellent album.  Extraordinarily satisfying.  Instrumental Acid
Jazz at its finest, with rich playing, funky grooves, and cute
little beeping noises.  Bellissima's (Toy's Factory) excellent
record of releasing excellent Acid Jazz albums from Nobukazu
Takemura's "Spiritual Vibes" and the "Silent Poets" continues
with this, dare I say, the best offering yet.
Grade:  A+		Genre: Acid Jazz, Psychadelic
Other Comments:  Boughtvia special order from Kinokuniya Bookstore.

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