Without question,
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
had the party anthem of 1988 in
"It Takes Two"
-- an insanely infectious
rap
/
dance
gem using a
James Brown
Lynn Collins
classic of the same name as a reference point. While the song was a major hit in
music and club circles,
Base
won over
hip-hop
's hardcore with his strong technique as a rapper. Though most of this debut album falls short of that mega-hit's excellence, it's a generally decent effort that has both
and
R&B
appeal. A reflection on societal breakdown, the sobering
"Times Are Gettin' Ill"
is atypical of this album -- which favors
soul
-flavored party music over social and political commentary. From
Maze
's
"Joy & Pain"
(which the duo used without
Frankie Beverly
's permission, inspiring him to threaten legal action) to the
house
-influenced
"Get on the Dance Floor,"
It Takes Two
thrives on strong hooks and unapologetic escapism. ~ Alex Henderson