Reviews of new rap (from Disney, no less) and pop releases:
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Mickey Unrapped" (Walt Disney Records). * * *It was only a matter of time before the Disney crew made its name with rap music.
"Mickey Unrapped" is a fun album filled with nifty parodies and toe-tapping originals. (Keep in mind, this album doesn't feature the explicit lyrics label most popular rap albums are required to carry.)
Among the parodies is a takeoff on Tag Team's "Whoomp! There It Is." The song becomes "Whoomp! There It Went," and it's about Donald Duck. Another takes on En Vogue and Salt 'n Pepa's collaboration on "Whatta Man," which becomes "Whatta Mouse," and M.C. Hammer's "Superfreak"-sample-laced "U Can't Touch This" becomes "U Can't Botch This."
Original songs include "Minnie Mouse in the House," "D.J. Goof," "Little Red Rappinghood" and "Ducks in the 'Hood."
What's more enjoyable about this album is the guest singers.
Kids as well as adults will enjoy hearing Mickey, Minnie and Goofy rapping it up with guests Tag Team, Whoopie Goldberg and Color Me Badd. This is a creative album made for everyone.
PETER GABRIEL; "Secret World Live" (Geffen Records). * * *
A Peter Gabriel concert is more than a performance - it's a festival.
That could be the only disadvantage to his new double live album, "Secret World Live."
Known for his visual imagery and extravagant stage props, the former Genesis frontman wows the recorded "live" crowd in Modena, Italy, with a collection of songs obviously emphasized by visual antics. (The listener will notice plenty of cheers during some of the empty movements of Gabriel's orchestral creations.)
Even though the listener is left guessing as to what actually went on, the music is what this is all about.
Taking a majority of songs from his recent release "Us," Gabriel swings from mood to mood with the help of vocalist Paula Cole, whose voice mixes and lifts Gabriel's during "Blood of Eden," "Kiss That Frog" and "Across the River."
Fans of "Us" will enjoy the single "Digging in the Dirt," played flawlessly live. But those who'd like to hear more older classics will have to look 10 years into the past to Gabriel's "Plays Live" album.
RATINGS: four stars (* * * * ), excellent; three stars (* * * ), good; two stars (* * ), fair; one star (* ), poor, with 1/2 representing a higher, intermediate grade.