ALBUM REVIEW: Public Enemy ‘Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’ Deluxe Edition + ‘Fear of a Black’ Planet Deluxe Edition

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Public Enemy, to those who don’t know, are legends among the music community. Their career has spanned more then 30 years and this year marks the release of two of their classic albums, remastered and produced as one deluxe edition. Essential albums for any fan of the band, and anybody who just likes great music.

When Public Enemy’s second studio album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back, was released in 1988 it completely upended the way records were produced and it challenged everyone’s conception of recorded music. The deluxe edition includes the original album, executively produced by Rick Rubin and Bill Stephney, and produced by Hank Shocklee, Keith Shocklee, Eric “Vietnam” Sadler and Carl Ryder (otherwise known as Chuck D): collectively, better known as the Bomb Squad. The album features classics such as, ‘Bring the Noise’, ‘Don’t Believe the Hype’, ‘Louder than a Bomb’, and ‘Rebel Without a Pause’. The second disc on the album also features rare bonus mixes, such as the original “no noise” version of ‘Bring the Noise’, instrumental versions of ‘Rebel without a Pause’, ‘Night of the Living Baseheads’ and ‘Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos’, as well as the soundtrack version of ‘Fight the Power’ which featured on Spike Lee’s ground-breaking film Do The Right Thing. The third disc of the album is a DVD version of the original VHS release of Fight the Power….live, which is no longer available for sale. It includes original videos for ‘Fight the Power’, ‘Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos’ and ‘Night of the Living Baseheads’ along with several live performances. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back was named one of the top 100 albums of all time by Time magazine and was ranked #48 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of all time.

The Deluxe edition of Fear of a Black Planet will also be released and includes the original album, also produced by the Bomb Squad and featuring singles such as, ‘Fight the Power’, ‘Welcome to the Terrordome’ and Flavor Flav’s ‘911 is a Joke’. The second disc contains 18 rare bonus mixes, including the near 10-minute mix of ‘Enemy Assault Vehicle Mixx (Medley)’three separate mixes of ‘Can’t do Nuttin’ for ya Man!’ an extended version of ‘Anti – Ni***er Machine’ and an instrumental take on ‘911 is a Joke’. The original LP version will also be released in a collector’s vinyl edition for the first time in 15 years, with a special “fade to black” 3D cover that, when turned to the left or right, turns black, with just the band’s iconic cross hairs visible. Very snazzy.

Fear of a Black Planet, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2015, finished #300 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time and was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2005. The album is certified as platinum by the RIAA for more than one million shipped and it peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200.

The release of these two deluxe edition albums are part of a year-long, ongoing celebration marking the 30th Anniversary of the iconic record label founded in 1984 by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons. Their influence and impact on modern music, culture and lifestyle is arguably unparalleled and this is why Public Enemy still have such a standpoint in modern day music. Buy and enjoy hip hop/rap royalty.

Oliver Hope

Oliver Hope
Oliver. Twenty Two year old gigaholic. Currently living in Manchester. Master's qualified journalist.
Oliver Hope

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