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We Rock Hard is the first album by the English electronic group Freestylers.[2][3] It was their most commercially successful release to date. AllMusic describes the album as a run through of the band members' back catalogue,[4] but it still showcases the classic big beat and breakbeat electronica that would remain the band's trademark sound along with ragga and dub twists.
We Rock Hard | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 14 June 1998[1] | |||
Genre | Breakbeat, big beat, electronic | |||
Length | 73:05 | |||
Label | Freskanova (UK) PIAS Mammoth (US) | |||
Producer | Freestylers | |||
Freestylers chronology | ||||
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The album features the single "Ruffneck", which garnered MTV rotation.
Critical reception edit
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [4] |
NME | 7/10[5] |
Rolling Stone | [6] |
The Guardian noted: "They've got tunes like the British breaks scene has never had tunes, which gives their superb productions a sweetness grievously lacking at the more ascetic end of breakbeat."[7]
Track listing edit
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Freestyle Noize" | 5:37 |
2. | "Dancehall Vibes" (featuring Tenor Fly) | 6:21 |
3. | "Drop the Boom" | 3:01 |
4. | "Don't Stop" | 4:43 |
5. | "Here We Go" (featuring Definition of Sound) | 4:51 |
6. | "The Darkside" | 4:50 |
7. | "B–Boy Stance" (featuring Tenor Fly) (scratches by Funk Wizard Jay Rock) | 4:36 |
8. | "We Rock Hard" (featuring Soul Sonic Force) | 7:08 |
9. | "Breaker Beats (Part 1)" | 2:54 |
10. | "Breaker Beats (Part 2)" | 2:57 |
11. | "Scratch 22 (Jay-Rock's Theme)" (produced by Funk Wizard Jay Rock) | 5:25 |
12. | "Ruffneck" (featuring Navigator) (scratches by Funk Wizard Jay Rock) | 5:40 |
13. | "Feel the Panic" | 5:54 |
14. | "Hold Up Your Hands" | 3:58 |
15. | "Warning" (featuring Navigator) (scratches by Funk Wizard Jay Rock) | 5:10 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Freestyle Noize" | 5:36 |
2. | "Dancehall Vibes" (featuring Tenor Fly) | 6:17 |
3. | "Drop the Boom" | 3:01 |
4. | "Don't Stop" | 4:20 |
5. | "Here We Go" (featuring Definition of Sound) | 4:56 |
6. | "B–Boy Stance" (featuring Tenor Fly) (scratches by Funk Wizard Jay Rock) | 4:21 |
7. | "We Rock Hard" (featuring Soul Sonic Force) | 7:10 |
8. | "Breaker Beats (Part 1)" | 4:36 |
9. | "Spaced Invader" | 7:19 |
10. | "Ruffneck" (featuring Navigator) (scratches by Funk Wizard Jay Rock) | 5:43 |
11. | "Feel the Panic" | 5:57 |
12. | "Check the Skillz" | 7:10 |
13. | "Warning" (featuring Navigator) (scratches by Funk Wizard Jay Rock) | 4:57 |
Total length: | 1:11:23 |
- The female vocals on track 4 "Don't Stop" are sampled from the 1976 song "I Know" by Candi Staton.
- The 1999 US release omits the tracks "The Darkside", "Breaker Beats (Part 2)", "Scratch 22 (Jay-Rock's Theme)" and "Hold Up Your Hands" and includes "Spaced Invader" and "Check the Skillz" (from the B-sides of the singles "Ruffneck" and "B-Boy Stance", respectively).
References edit
- ^ NME
- ^ Mason, Neil (1 August 1998). "Theme from Bangers'n'mash". Melody Maker. Vol. 75, no. 31. p. 20.
- ^ Comer, M. Tye (January 1999). "Mixed Signals". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 64/65. p. 55.
- ^ a b AllMusic review
- ^ NME review
- ^ Rolling Stone review
- ^ Bennun, David (31 July 1998). "Everybody's Free". Features. The Guardian. p. 14.