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Dollars & Sense ratings system | Complete list | Archives 1994-present Reprinted from The 411, December 1994 BLACK SHEEP, Non-Fiction, Mercury At last, the Black Sheep have arisen. After a three-year wait since the classic A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing, Black Sheep come back with their sophomore album, Non-Fiction. Dres and Mr. Lawnge return with their unique timeless style that makes A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing sound as good today as it did in 1991. One of the reasons Black Sheep never sound outdated is because they don't follow the current trends of hip-hop. The groove on the intro to the album is a great example of that, which leads into the Dres solo, "Autobiographical," to start things off. Throughout the album, Dres and Mr. Lawnge flip rhymes back and forth, while elements of their trademark style come through on cuts like "North South East West" and "City Lights." "Let's Get Cozy" sounds like a sequel to "La Menage," and the newest addition to a long list of songs that sample from "La Di Da Di." Black Sheep, along with Showbiz and A.G., also pay tribute to Rakim on "E.F.F.E.C.T." when they spell the word with the same authority he used on "Microphone Fiend." One of the best parts of the album is when Mr. Lawnge breaks out into a rendition of Eddie Murphy's "Wookin' Puh Nub" in the middle of "Who's Next?" which finds the Sheep looking for love in all the wrong places and with all the wrong women, and features a female rapper who holds her own with Dres and Lawnge. Other standout tracks include "Gotta Get Up," "Summa Tha Time," "We Boys" (featuring The Legion), "Without A Doubt" (Salaam's Mix) and "Freak Y'all," which lets you know just how long it's been since the last album when Chi-Ali steps up to the mic with a deep voice. Non-Fiction may not be as groundbreaking as their first album, but Black Sheep definitely didn't fall off as they continue to buck trends and come out with their own style. Click here to find out how to buy this album. -- Mason Storm More reviews... www.the411online.com All contents ©1994-2006 The 411 Online News | Reviews | Interviews | Discussion | Coming Up | Flashbacks In the Trunk | Radio | Best of... | Award Tour | Exhibit | Links | E-mail