Walking With a Panther

by

LL Cool J

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Walking With A Panther is the third release of L.L. Cool J where he explored more with diverse subjects and taking control of production. The lead-off, "Droppin' Em" is a lyrical attack with punchlines and metaphors of superiority to contenders. Slowing the pace with gloomy effects on "Smokin', Dopin'" compares his artistry as being addictive. "Fast Peg" is quite short and simple with a tale of abuse and violent life of a woman. With lyrical content such as "...her man be smaking her up / backing her up / to the wall..." gives vivid images to accompany the story. Giving the audience the opportunity to participate on "Clap Your Hands" the funk lead guitar adds to the experience. The chemically balanced song "Nitro" proves that the pen is mightier than the sword delivered with a vengeance. Opening himself to a seldom seen subject of hip-hop/rap to love on "You're My Heart" over dramatic r&b chords. "I'm That Type Of Guy" has a burgulary mystic where L.L. skillfully takes another man's woman with an impressive spoken flow. Tongue tied delivery displays the ability, skill and versatility on "Why Do You Think They Call It Dope?" to answer its own question. Relaxing to the exotic jazz blend of the horn section on "Going Back To Cali" highlights this album by expanding genres. Opposite of his name "It Gets No Rougher" is fueled by a guitar giving the edge. As Ladies Love journey to his strength and appeal on "Big Ole Butt" and "1-900 L.L. Cool J" over looped samples. "Jealous" is attacking a personality trait of some people who may criticize as the simple harmonized chorus to compliment the slow groove. Aimed as a head nodder on "Jingling Baby" showing off the movement of ladies earrings is like aphrodisiac for Cool J. Taking a more mellow angle on "Def Jam In The Motherland" meshed with a jazzy feel over the incessant vibes. As there were a few failed attempts theres more than enough material for entertainment. Seen as the earlier years of L.L. Cool J should be a model for many of today's artist in rap/hip-hop because of evident versatility. Walking With A Panther is a deadly path to cross for adversaries containing classic material within.

LL has always been one of my favorite rappers. In a way, he was the Richard Roundtree (John Shaft) of his day. A cool dude who defined the masculine black man down to the Tee. Through claiming his microphone superiority, Having all the women, and firing back at any MC who dare oppose or questions his skills, He was (and still is) a Bad muthaf*cka in his own right.

Walking with A Panther has his best as well as his most dreadful tracks he ever recorded. If this overlong 20 track album was trimmed down to a 12 track opus, It would rival Mama Said Knock you Out as being his best album. But as it stands, classic gems like "Droppin Em" and "Im that Type of Guy" are seqeunced with forgettable tracks like the rap ballads One shot at love, You're my Heart, and Two Different Worlds. While Big Old Butt is one of his classic skirt chasing (A** chasing rather) tracks, 1-900 Cool J tries to duplicate that potency to no avail. This CD should be remastered with and trimmed down by dropping the filler

Desired track selection:

1. Droppin Em

2. Smokin Dopin

3. Fast Peg

4. Clap Your Hands

5. Nitro

6. I'm That type of Guy

7. Why do you think They call it Dope?

8. Going Back To Cali

9. It gets No Rougher

10.Big ole Butt

11.Jealous

12.Jack the Ripper

This would of made a 4.5 star album instead of a barely above average album.