Shinehead Albums (6)
What The Critics Say
A versatile artist who croons and deejays with equal skill, Shinehead can take any hit and put his silky stamp on it. Praises is a showcase for this talent, as he delves into '70s and '80s pop and R&B classics and transforms them. The opening track, "Never Make a Promise" is a sizzling take onDru Hill's 1997 R&B hit, accented with a killer rhythm by the Roots Radics. It's followed by interpretations of Seals & Crofts '70s classic "Summer Breeze," changed into "Collie Weed" in the essential ode to marijuana, the Whispers' '80s hit, "Olivia," topped with a spicy bass rhythm, and Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw You Face," perked up with Shinehead's bongo playing. The covers don't always work, however, as witnessed by lackluster treatment of Heatwave's "Mind Blowing Decisions" and the Beatles "My Love." Ironically, it's the original tunes, "Pay Me" and the politically aware "Their Plan" that shine the most. ~ Rosalind Cummings-Yeates, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In the late 1980s and early '90s, New Yorkers ranging from Boogie Down Productions to Heavy D were combining rap with dancehall reggae. Another key player in this rap/reggae experimentation was Shinehead, who keeps things very positive and uplifting on his sophomore effort The Real Rock. However, much of the CD isn't reggae-influenced, and the East Coast resident wisely avoids being predicable. Ranging from such fun, lighthearted material as "World of the Video Game" and "Musical Madness" to the more serious messages of "Family Affair" (which draws on the Sly Stone classic and stresses the importance of a cohesive family unit), the anti-smoking tune "Cigarette Breath" and the spiritual title song, The Real Rock was one of the best rap releases of 1990. It's unfortunate that Shinehead's popularity was so short-lived. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Shinehead's unique fusion of dancehall and hip-hop might've had something to do with why it failed to make much of a dent in any of the Billboard charts. While reggae's influence upon hip-hop was made known at the time with MCs like KRS-One, no one was truly blending the two styles like Shinehead. Unity is a little too reggae to be considered straight hip-hop, and it's a little too hip-hop to be considered straight reggae. Plus, Unity was too lighthearted and positive to catch the ears of hip-hop heads who were beginning to lean on harsher sounds that were developing. Still, it's a fun and accomplished start for the MC. Davy D. and Jam Master Jay lend production skills throughout. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
