DJ Quik Safe & Sound CD

All songs written or co-written by Dante Blake. Samples include "Conscience" (as performed by Sun), "Rigor Mortis" (as performed by Cameo), "The Incredible Folk" (as performed by Blowfly) and "Shack Up" (as performed by Banbara).

There's an added bonus to rap music when it's a DJ who steps to the foreground to represent, both on the mic and behind the boards. Three albums deep, DJ Quik still believes in "makin' endz," this time with SAFE + SOUND. While the West Coast dives deeper and deeper into the ocean of violent gangsta rap, Quik remains true to his past beliefs: money, women and, of course, the funk.

No, not the G-funk, but the P-funk, as the DJ proclaims in his intro, "Street Level Entrance," which accurately blends into a Quik-tempo bass line complemented by some really Quik scratches for "Get At Me." Musically, the Compton-born rapper's sound is unique and better associated with artists like Erick Sermon (the East Coast's Funk Lord) than CMW (Compton's Most Wanted). "Somethin' 4 Tha Mood" keeps the setting calm, letting Quik's laid back vocals easily ride over the smooth piano groove. Expanding the classification of his genre from just hardcore kicks and snares, DJ Quik delivers an instrumental track with "Quik's Groove III." With the title track, Quik takes you back to describe how he manages to stay "Safe + Sound" by getting paid. And among the songs which deal with the topic of women, "Diggin' U Out" and "Itz Your Fantasy" show that the subject matter can be overlooked if the tune outweighs it.

Caught up with extolling his sexiness and success with women, DJ Quik raps about little else on his third album. The lyrics are funny though, and his G-funk grooves do help things. ~ John Bush

Recorded at Skip Saylor Recording, Los Angeles, California.

Personnel: Dante Blake, George "G-One" Archie (vocals, various instruments); Lasalle Gabrielle, David Foreman (guitar); Robert "Fonksta" Bacon (guitar, bass); Charles "Chaz" Greene (flute); Warryn "The Boy Wonder" Campbell, Kenneth Crouch (acoustic & electric piano); Alex Dunbar, Del Atkins (bass); Crystal Cerrano, Dionne Knighton, Gary Shider (background vocals).

Producers: DJ Quik, G-One, Courtney Branch, Tracy Kendrick, Robert Bacon.

Vibe (4/95, p.102) - "...virtually every track offers a perfect balance of treacherous bass, taut beats perfect for the hoo-ride...and haunting organ lines and chordal arrangements that reveal influences both sanctimonious and funkdafied....like good wine, will only improve with age."
The Source (4/95, p.79) - 4 Mics - Slammin' - "...Pound for pound, Quik's latest is definite listening satisfaction....If heads can appreciate the funk--real funk--this one can't be passed up as it is truly a SAFE & SOUND investment..."
Option (7-8/95, p.100) - "...DJ Quick's signature sound begins with a layer of late-`70s funk (Gap Band, Cameo, and more than a dash of Parliament) built off electronic instruments and bouncy bass, then he ices it with his lightning fast delivery..."