GANGSTARR - Step In The Arena

Chrisalis 1991
(TO THE MILESTONE)

“Step In The Arena,” Gangstarr's second album, released in 1991, is one of those records that, despite the years passing, retains the charm of a vinyl plowed for the first time by the stylus of Technics. Gangstarr owe much of their notoriety to African-American director Spike Lee who, inspired by a track on Guru and DJ Premier's first album (titled “No More Mr. Nice Guy” and dated 1989), contacted them to record a song for the soundtrack of “Mo’ Better Blues”; the track in question was “Jazz Thing” and, thanks in part to the participation of Branford Marsalis, gave our heroes the so-called quantum leap. The eighteen tracks of “Step In The Arena” are completely produced by DJ Premier and, although they have absolutely nothing to do with today's sound of the good Chris Martin, they sounded for the times really impressive. The signature track of this album is without a shadow of a doubt “Who's Gonna Take The Weight” (built on a loop stolen from JB's) but also not to be overlooked are “Just To Get A Rep” and the beautiful “Lovesick,” which perhaps remains one of the best tracks recorded by Gangstarr in their decade-long career. Guru's lyrics, always poised between momentary takes on consciousness and pure street attitude, flow most limpidly not to mention DJ Premier's scratches that often act as the glue between Keith Elam's raspy vocals and the creative, punchy beats. In reviewing “Step In The Arena,” I do not want to claim that it is Gangstarr's best work (they have always released sublime records), but it was appropriate to make this choice since, thanks to this product (which was also properly distributed in Italy), Guru and Dj Premier became famous among rap listeners all over the world who at the time could not back down from buying an album so often. A curious fact (however, unconfirmed) is that when it came time to renew the contract for the next record, Guru, unhappy with the offer made to him by the owner of Chrysalis Records, threatened him by holding a gun to his head and asking for more money; a questionable but effective method since “Daily Operation” was released the following year, also on the same label.

By Hakeem
AL 37 June 1999