J.J. Fad - Supersonic the Album

Name: J.J. Fad
Album: Supersonic the Album
Year: 1988
Style: Rap, Hip Hop
Similar Bands: Salt & Pepa, Sugarhill Gang, Neneh Cherry, Queen Latifah
"One-Word" Review: Spittin Non-Threatening Diss Battles
Based Out Of: LA, CA
Label: Ruthless Records, Warner Communications, Atco Records, Atlantic Recording

 Cover, Record

Back, Record

Supersonic the Album (1988)

1. Supersonic 3:53
2. Way Out 2:49
3. Blame it on the Muzick 3:47
4. In the Mix 3:32
5. Eenie Meenie Beats 2:55 /
6. My Dope Intro 3:38
7. Let's Get Hyped 3:41
8. Now Really 3:20
9. Time Tah Get Stupid 1:55
10. Is It love 3:04

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Baby D (Dania Birks) - Vox (West Coast Rap Allstars)
• Sassy C (Michelle Franklin) - Vox (West Coast Rap Allstars)
• M.C. J.B. (Juana Burns)- Vox (West Coast Rap Allstars)
• Dr. Dre (Andre Romelle Young) - Producer, Mixing, Backing Vox (NWA, so much)
• D.J. Yella (Antoine Carraby) - Procucer, Mixing, Backing Vox (NWA, World Class Wreckin Cru, Kid Frost TMS)
•  Arabian Prince (Mik Lezan) - Co-Producer, Mixing, Backing Vox (NWA, Egress, Mistress & DJ Madame E, Ministry)
• Eric Wright (Eazy-E) - Executive Producer, Backing Vox (NWA, DOC, Bone Thugs-N-harmony more)
• Donovan Smith - Engineer
• Bernie Grundman - Mastering
• Chris - Mastering
• Aaron Rapoport - Photography
• Bob Defrin - Art Direction
• Lay Law (Larry Goodman)  - Backing Vox (Above the Laaw, Who Am I, Anotha Level)
• M.C. Ren (Lorenzo Jerald Patterson) - Backing Vox (NWA, DOC, CPO, Eazy E, Snoop Dogg, Big Bennay, Gangsta Squad)
• Stan The Guitar Man - Guitar, Backing Vox (Torcha Chamba, Michel'Le, A Lighter Shade of Brown, KMC, DJ Quik, Above the Law, Small Change, Kid Sensation, Toddy Tee, Street Mentality, Cristofire, LL Cool J, Coolio, Bo$$, Too $hort, Ebony Vibe Everlasting, jade, Sa Lench Mob, TomJones, Po Broke N Lonely. Spice 1, Rodg, Quincy Jones, MoKenStef, Soultry, Dr Dre, B-Legit, 40 Thevz, C-murder, Tha Liks, Big Kutch, Bushwick Bill, Cherish, DOC, K-Ci & JoJo)
• Steve - Scratch Records
• D.J. Train (Clarence Lars)- All Scratches (CPO, MC Ren. Kam, Street Soulga, Mel-Low)
• Jerry Heller - Mgmt (NWA)
• Cara Lewis - Agency

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, and rap and hip hop was never a focused genre for me, but i of course recognize the producers Dr Dre & Eazy E. The pastel sporty outfits complete with stop watches fit the late 80's pop/hip hop genre, so i have no doubt this will be up beat old school hip hop.

Album Review: As expected, this hip hop album is part pop (side A) and part Hip Hop (side B) (although those genres are not designated specifically to those sides). The album features typical rapping about how the members will rock the mic and throws shade to competition. The sample from Supersonic is used elsewhere on the album (Eenie Meenine Beats). Dr Dre is called out twice, and he does offer support in performance and backing vocals. JJ FAD stood for original members: Juana. Juanita, Fatima, Anna & Dania...but changed to Just Jammin' Fresh And Def when the lineup changed. The Grammy nominated (lost to DJ Jazzy Jeff/Fresh Prince's Parents Just Don't Understand) song Supersonic has been sampled and referenced by many artists (including usage in the trailer for the Sonic the Hedgehog movie in 2020), but most disheartening is that the group and their importance in the Compton scene (their album was put out by Ruthless Records first, before NWA, to legitimize the label & pave a road with their catchy, approachable act) was neglected by the Straight Outta Compton biopic. Twenty years separate their second and final album and their reunion, where the three women line up has reformed and still perform today (2020).

Stand Out Track: Supersonic

Links:
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hopes & fears
LA Times forgotten women of Straight outta Compton
Hip Hop DX: 30 yrs later
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