Common Can I Borrow A Dollar? CD

Personnel: Common Sense (vocals); Tony Orbach (saxophone); Lenny Underwood (keyboards); Kenny Aaronson (bass); Twilite Tone, Tarsha Jones (background vocals); Immenslope, Rayshel.
Producers: Immenslope, The Beat Nuts, Twilite Tone.
A former Source magazine "Unsigned Hype" winner, Common Sense almost single-handedly put Chicago hip-hop on the map in the early '90s with his excellent debut, Can I Borrow a Dollar?, which displayed a truly unique sound that, nevertheless, situated the rapper somewhere between the ground staked out by A Tribe Called Quest and Gang Starr. Can I Borrow a Dollar? features the fabulous, oddly muted production of 2 Pc. Drk Productions (Immenslope and Twilite Tone). They opt for a spare, minimalist production that prominently features understated keyboard loops over simple drum tracks, occasionally augmented by saxophone or flute for an overall jazzy, laid-back feel. The production perfectly complements Common Sense's hiccuping/singsongy vocal style and involved rhymes. His lyrics are packed with allusions and references to pop and street culture nearly as eclectic as those of the Beastie Boys. Though sometimes lighthearted to the point of aimlessness and occasionally veering into harder-hitting (vaguely misogynistic) sentiments, Can I Borrow a Dollar? acted, for the most part, as an antidote to the exaggeratedly hardcore rhymes of a lot of early-'90s hip-hop. Stand-out tracks such as "Charms Alarm," "Take It EZ," and the only outside production, the Beatnuts' characteristically bell-driven "Heidi Hoe," are calls to arms to all hangers-on and fakers in the hip-hop community. This is one of the most underrated hip-hop debuts of the '90s. ~ Stanton Swihart
The first album by Chicago MC Common, CAN I BORROW A DOLLAR?, is widely accepted in hip-hop's underground as a classic. Raw cuts like "Blows to the Temple" demonstrate why, and give listeners a glimpse at a legend in the making.
With CAN I BORROW A DOLLAR?, a younger, more careless Common was simply out to demonstrate his talents to a nation obsessed with New York and L.A. rap. The lo-fi beat structure of the album is reminiscent of the music of the early '90s, when heavy jazz and funk influences dominated East Coast hip-hop. Though the disc is layered with gritty beats and samples that now seem familiar, they seem vibrant when put into context with other material of the same era. The Beatnuts offer one of their early productions on "Heidi Hoe," a track that may shock listeners who are used to Common's more reflective, socially aware lyrics of today. While certainly not his best work, die-hard fans won't be disappointed.The Source (10/92, p.55) - 3.5 Stars - Good Plus - "..an album 13 cuts deep with Chicago flava...a very unique hardcore, yet jazz-influenced, underground sound...The production is top notch.."