One is the debut album by American alternative hip hop artist Me Phi Me.[2][3] It was released in 1992 via RCA Records.[4] Generally considered the first folk-rap album, One was a critics darling in the United States and Europe, though sales were limited. A fusion of acoustic guitars, spacey synthesizers, and live funk beats, the album established the Me Phi Me band as one of the more progressive hip-hop groups.

ONE
Studio album by
Released1992
GenreAlternative hip hop
Length53:28
LabelBMG/RCA
ProducerChristopher Cuben-Tatum aka Cee Cee Tee (CCT)[1]

The guitar intro of "Keep It Goin'" was sampled for the song "Here We Come," which Me Phi Me recorded for the film Strange Days.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [5]
Orlando Sentinel     [6]

The New York Times called One "a radical departure," writing that "it's an odd mixture that uses pop music to express a democratic, pluralistic urge."[7] The Chicago Reader called it "unquestionably the loveliest rap album ever recorded."[8] The Washington Post hailed it as an album that "adventurous hip-hop fans should add to their collections."[3]

AllMusic called the album "an intriguing concept -- few rappers have attempted a folk-rap fusion, especially ones with neo-psychedelic overtones -- but [Me Phi Me's] songwriting isn't always capable of conveying his ideas."[5] The A.V. Club, in an article about the "least essential" albums of the 1990s, deemed the album's "hippified, folky space-rap" a trend that never caught on.[9]

Track listing

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  • 1. Intro: A Call to Arms (The Step) 1:54
  • 2. The Credo 1:20
  • 3. Sad New Day 5:28
  • 4. Poetic Moment I: The Dream 3:74
  • 5. Dream of You 3:56
  • 6. Not My Brotha 4:17
  • 7. Keep It Goin' 3:57
  • 8. Poetic Moment II: The Streets :54
  • 9. Black Sunshine 3:49
  • 10. And I Believe (The Credo) 4:39
  • 11. Pu' Sho Hands 2Getha 3:52
  • 12. Poetic Moment III: The Light :31
  • 13. Road to Life 4:24
  • 14. It Ain't the Way It Was 4:59
  • 15. (Think) Where Are You Going? 4:33
  • 16. Return to Arms: In Closing :41

Personnel

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Chart positions

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Billboard Music Charts (North America) – singles:

  • 1992 Sad New Day Hot 100 Singles No. 60
  • 1992 Pu' Sho Hands 2Getha R&B Singles No. 71

References

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  1. ^ "Me Phi Me". Trouser Press. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Me Phi Me Biography & History". AllMusic.
  3. ^ a b Griffin, Gil (July 17, 1992). "A Hip-Hop Away from the Campaign". The Washington Post.
  4. ^ "Me Phi Me Raps to a Different Tune : His debut album fuses hip-hop with an intellectual, folk-inflected approach". Los Angeles Times. August 29, 1992.
  5. ^ a b "One Me Phi Me". AllMusic.
  6. ^ Gettelman, Parry (July 3, 1992). "Me Phi Me". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 6.
  7. ^ Watrous, Peter (July 15, 1992). "Pop Life; George Harrison Tour Produces Both CD's and New Attitudes". The New York Times.
  8. ^ Wyman, Bill. "Arrested Development/Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy/Me Phi Me". Chicago Reader.
  9. ^ "Least Essential Albums of the '90s". The A.V. Club.
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