Funkmaster Flex Albums (7)
'Funkmaster Flex Car Show Tour'
Release Date 12/6/2005
Tracks 16
Label KR Urban
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'The Mix Tape, Vol. 4: 60 Minutes of Funk'
Release Date 12/5/2000
Tracks 26
Label Loud
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What The Critics Say
Funkmaster Flex keeps his Mix Tape: 60 Minute of Funk going with Volume 4, which features mainly freestyles. Performers include some of the industries top rappers -- primarily New Yorkers like DMX and Ja Rule but also a few out-of-town surprises like Eminem and Ludacris -- most of whom freestyle over Flex's own productions. The plethora of exclusive productions sets Volume 4 apart from its predecessors, which were more straightforward mix albums comprised of previously released hits. As such, Volume 4 offers a lot of performances that cannot be found elsewhere, so fans of the featured rappers should take note. Newcomers are probably better served by earlier volumes, though, as the inclusions here aren't quite as astounding as the proven hits of before, nor is Flex's mixing, since he's more interested in showcasing his beatmaking here than his turntablism. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
It takes a pretty connected man to assemble the most star-studded rap album ever released. The Tunnel features all of the biggest and best MCs in hip-hop -- DMX, Jay-Z, Nas, Method Man, Eminem, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Capone-N-Noreaga, Mary J. Blige, Raekwon, and Redman and Erick Sermon -- freestyling over tracks, most of them produced by Rockwilder or Funkmaster Flex himself. The affair is somewhat similar to his popular mixtape series, which alternated hip-hop classics with guest appearances from MCs inserted between standard productions. The mere presence of all these incredible rappers is more than enough to push The Tunnel over the top, and the addition of a live freestyle between 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. recorded in 1993 makes it worthwhile for that track alone. Among many highlights, "True" with Method Man, "For My Thugs" with Jay-Z, "We in Here" with the Ruff Ryders, and "Ill Bomb" with LL Cool J are the best here. ~ Keith Farley, All Music Guide
'The Mix Tape, Vol. 3: 60 Minutes of Funk, The Final Chapter'
Release Date 8/11/1998
Tracks 40
Label RCA
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What The Critics Say
The third (and final, according to the album's subtitle) chapter of New York DJ Funkmaster Flex's mix albums is the best of the bunch, a gritty combination of old- (A Tribe Called Quest, House of Pain, Naughty By Nature) and new-school rappers (Missy Elliott, Wu-Tang Clan, Busta Rhymes). Flex's deft skill at remixing some familiar tunes -- he often takes a minute or two of a cut and works brand new beats, as well as some exclusive freestyling courtesy of top-name artists themselves, into the grooves -- makes The Mix Tape more than just a lazy compilation of radio hits. Still, when you get down to it, it really doesn't amount to much more than 75 minutes (despite the title's claim of only 60) of a guy spinning some of his favorite records, albeit with style. ~ Michael Gallucci, All Music Guide
'The Mix Tape, Vol. 2: 60 Minutes of Funk'
Release Date 2/11/1997
Tracks 44
Label RCA
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What The Critics Say
The Mix Tape, Vol. 2: 60 Minutes of Funk is every bit as engaging its predecessor, capturing Funkmaster Flex as he spins through a stack of modern and classic hip-hop and R&B, with various guest rappers freestyling while he does so. The energy is equal to Vol. 1, and while some listeners might find the relentless but seamless mixing to be a little amelodic and irritating, any true hip-hop fan will consider the album a treasure. ~ Leo Stanley, All Music Guide
'The Mix Tape, Vol. 1: 60 Minutes of Funk'
Release Date 1/1/1995
Tracks 37
Label Loud
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What The Critics Say
Funkmaster Flex's The Mix Tape, Vol. 1 recalls hip-hop's past while pointing toward its future. Featuring a wide array of hip-hop styles graced by amazing freestyle raps by some of the '90s top MCs, the album sounds like a mixtape compiled from the radio and 7" singles -- there's simply nothing but first-rate music, with no filler whatsoever. Although there are elements of old-school rap as well as modern funk, the daring production and stunning rhymes make The Mix Tape a rarity of mid-'90s hip-hop -- it's a record that sounds like none of its competition. It announces itself as an instant classic. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
