U-Neek
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]
U-Neek | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1991 | |||
Recorded | 1990–1991 | |||
Genre | Reggae | |||
Length | 50:22 | |||
Label | Island[1] | |||
Producer | Glenn "Daddy-O" Bolton, Matt Robinson, Augustus "Gussie" Clarke | |||
Eek-A-Mouse chronology | ||||
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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
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [12] |
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'."[13] 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."[14] 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."[15]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
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
- Eek-A-Mouse – vocals
- Glenn "Daddy-O" Bolton – various instruments
- Danny Lipman – guitar, trumpet
- Paul Vercesi – alto saxophone
- Danny Moynahan – saxophone
- Anthony Brewster – trumpet
- I. Timothy – trombone
- Dean Fraser – horns, vocals
- Matt Robinson – keyboards, vocals
- Robbie Lyn, Handel Tucker, Jamie Carse, Michael Hyde – keyboards
- Danny Brown, Vere Isaacs – bass
- Danny Drum, Carl Wright – drums
- Keene Carse – drum programming, trombone
- Johnny Rivers – drum & synthesizer programming
- Dave Tobocman – programming, vocals
- Kevin O'Conner, Tommy James, Debra Falconer, Mikey Bennet, J.C. Lodge, Tony Gold – background vocals
- Producers: Daddy-O, Matt Robinson, Keene Carse, Sidney Mills, Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, Johnny Rivers
- Engineers: Kevin O'Conner, Butch Jones, Rob Sutton
References
- Moskowitz, David Vlado (2006). Caribbean Popular Music: An Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall. Greenwood Press. p. 103.
- Bream, Jon (16 Aug 1991). "A Mouse in the House". Star Tribune. p. 1E.
- "Eek-A-Mouse". Weekend Preview. Houston Chronicle. June 28, 1991. p. 3.
- "He is perhaps the most distinctive reggae singer in the world...". Arizona Daily Star. December 18, 1992.
- Thompson, Dave (2002). Reggae & Caribbean Music. Backbeat Books. p. 106.
- Abbott, Jim (28 June 1991). "Critically-acclaimed Jamaican singer Eek-A-Mouse...". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 3.
- Goldstein, Patrick (16 June 1991). "Pop Eye". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 71.
- Locey, Bill (5 Sep 1991). "Eek-A-Mouse". Los Angeles Times. p. J12.
- Eichenberger, Bill (May 26, 1992). "Squeek, Squawk, Click". The Columbus Dispatch. p. 8E.
- Kassulke, Natasha (January 28, 1994). "Eek Is One Mighty Mouse". Rhythm. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 4.
- Pahnelas, Bill (July 17, 1991). "Eek-A-Mouse U-Neek". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. B9.
- U-Neek at AllMusic
- Robins, Wayne (22 Nov 1991). "With a Taste of Rock and Roll". Part II. Newsday. p. 86.
- Cawley, Jimmy (2 Jan 1992). "Eek-A-Mouse U-Neek". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 2.
- Miller, Michael (August 23, 1991). "New Releases". The State. p. 10D.