Global Warning

• Artist: Rascalz
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1999
• Genre: Rock

Review

Rascalz second album is a compelling follow-up to their impressive album, Cash Crop. In an attempt to reach out to a wider audience, Rascalz employ a variety of guest stars that range from Canadian rappers K-Os, Muzion, and Choclair to American MCs KRS-One and Beatnuts. Throw in more cameos by dancehall legend Barrington Levy, Canadian rocker Esthero, and professional wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart and you have a wildly diverse assembly of artists that only enhance the rhymes of Rascalz' MCs Red One and Misfit. The highlight is the album's second single, "Top of the World," where Rascalz let their dancehall roots shine. The track features a guest appearance by dancehall legend Barrington Levy whose trademark riffing and yodeling lay over a tight guitar and string track. "Priceless" mixes a Tchaikovsky melody with a mellow sax loop and a haunting vocal by Esthero, and "As It Is" makes effective use of a harpsichord sample underlying a guest appearance by Choclair. "Population Control," a plea for greater community involvement, shows Rascalz lyrical maturity.

The album's biggest disappointment is the album's first single, "Sharpshooter," a misguided rap/rock hybrid that features pro wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart. More impressive is the guitar-based "Can't Relate," a slamming track featuring Psycho Les and Juju from Beatnuts.

On the whole, the album highlights the band's impressive production by Kemo who has an uncanny ability to mix genres, demonstrating that Rascalz are capable of producing a wide variety of music while still staying true to their roots. ~ Jon Azpiri, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
The Global Warning		Rascalz	(1:03)
High Noon	Inspectah Deck	Rascalz	(4:21)
Priceless		Rascalz	(4:33)
Can't Relate		Ju-Ju, Rascalz	(4:24)
Gametime		Rascalz	(4:05)
Population Control		Rascalz	(3:22)
Top of the World	D. Taylor	Barrington Levy, Rascalz, k-os	(4:48)
Gunnfinga		Rascalz	(4:56)
For the Rhyme		Rascalz	(:40)
As It Is		Rascalz, Choclair	(3:42)
Fallen		Rascalz, k-os	(4:24)
C-IV	C. Woods	Rascalz	(3:55)
Where You At	KRS-One	KRS-One, Rascalz	(3:40)
Area 51		Rascalz	(5:40)
On the Run		Rascalz	(3:50)
Témoin		Rascalz	(4:44)
Bordaline		Rascalz	(4:16)
Lab Rat Produce		Rascalz	(1:05)
Sharpshooter (Best of the Best)		Bret Hitman Hart, Rascalz	(3:53)
Blessings		Rascalz	(1:24)

Credits

Kemo (Mixing), Anyez Cheung (Tray Card), Troy Hightower (Mixing), Russell Klyne (Guitar), The Alchemist (Mixing), Louie Palu (Photography), Roger Swan (Engineer), The Alchemist (Producer), Mister Morgan (Executive Producer), Red One (Mixing), Kemo (Producer), Russ Klyne (Guitar), Red One (Producer), Bob Brass (Producer), KRS-One (Performer), Anyez Cheung (Pre-Production), Rascalz (Executive Producer), Anyez Cheung (CD Graphics), Philipp Virus (Art Direction), Susan Desmarais (Creative Design), Misfit (Producer), Misfit (Mixing), Bret Hitman Hart (Performer), Inaam Haq (Engineer), Choclair (Vocals), Roger Swan (Mixing)