Take a Look Around (album)

Take a Look Around is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Masta Ace. It was released on July 24, 1990 through Cold Chillin' Records with distribution via Reprise Records. Recording sessions took place at House Of Hits in Chestnut Ridge, New York and at Libra Digital Sound in Long Island City. Production was handled by Marley Marl and Mister Cee.

Take a Look Around
Studio album by
Master Ace
ReleasedJuly 24, 1990
Recorded1988–90
Studio
GenreGolden age hip hop
Length1:04:04
LabelCold Chillin'/Reprise/Warner Bros.
26179
Producer
Master Ace chronology
Take a Look Around
(1990)		 SlaughtaHouse
(1993)
Singles from Take a Look Around
  1. "Together / Letter to the Better"
    Released: 1989
  2. "Me and the Biz"
    Released: June 7, 1990
  3. "Music Man"
    Released: 1990
  4. "Movin' On"
    Released: March 6, 1991
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
RapReviews9/10[2]

Background

After appearing on the classic hip hop crew cut "The Symphony" with the Juice Crew in 1988, Ace released his first single, "Together" b/w "Letter to the Better" in 1989. "Together" was included in the album as well as a remixed version of "Letter to the Better".

Released in June 1990, "Me and the Biz" (b/w "I Got Ta") peaked at #47 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #8 on the Hot Rap Songs. The song, a tribute of sorts to labelmate Biz Markie, in which Ace plays the role of both himself and Biz (who reportedly couldn't make it to the studio for the actual collaboration he desired), was later featured on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as a song in rotation on the fictional radio station Playback FM. A single for "I Got Ta" was released only in the UK and Europe.

Reaching a peak position of number thirteen on the Hot Rap Songs, the album's third single, "Music Man" (b/w "Ace Iz Wild"), remained on the chart for a total of nine weeks.

"Movin' On" (b/w "Go Where I Send Thee") was released on March 6, 1991 as the final single from Take a Look Around.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Duval Clear.

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Music Man"
4:03
2."I Got Ta"
4:27
3."Letter to the Better" (Remix)
  • Marley Marl
  • Masta Ace (co.)
3:15
4."Me and the Biz"
  • Marley Marl
  • Masta Ace (co.)
5:11
5."The Other Side of Town"
  • Marley Marl
  • Masta Ace (co.)
4:52
6."Ace Iz Wild"
  • Marley Marl
  • Masta Ace (co.)
4:51
7."Four Minus Three"
  • Marley Marl
  • Masta Ace (co.)
3:50
8."Can't Stop the Bum Rush"
  • Mister Cee
  • Masta Ace (co.)
5:09
9."Movin' On"
  • Marley Marl
  • Masta Ace (co.)
4:31
10."Brooklyn Battles"
  • Marley Marl
  • Masta Ace (co.)
3:52
11."Maybe Next Time"
  • Marley Marl
  • Masta Ace (co.)
4:39
12."Postin' High"
  • Mister Cee
  • Masta Ace (co.)
4:54
13."As I Reminisce"
  • Mister Cee
  • Masta Ace (co.)
5:02
14."Take a Look Around"
  • Marley Marl
  • Masta Ace (co.)
4:32
15."Together"
  • Marley Marl
  • Masta Ace (co.)
5:50
Total length:1:04:04

Sample credits

Music Man

I Got Ta

Letter to the Better

Me and the Biz

The Other Side Of Town

Ace Iz Wild

Four Minus Three

Can't Stop The Bumrush

Movin' On

Brooklyn Battles

Maybe Next Time

Postin' High

  • "Street Life" by The Crusaders
  • "High" by Skyy

As I Reminisce

Take a Look Around

Together

  • "Do You Have the Time" by The Younghearts
  • "One Man Band" by Monk Higgins & the Specialites

Personnel
  • Duval Clear – vocals, co-producer
  • Menia Sims – vocals (track 9)
  • Eyceurokk – vocals (track 13)
  • Mike and Jay a.k.a. Together Brothers – vocals (track 15)
  • Andre Booth – keyboards (track 15)
  • D.J. Steady Pace – scratches
  • Marlon Williams – producer & engineering (tracks: 1, 3-7, 9-11, 14-15)
  • Calvin Laburn – producer (tracks: 2, 8, 12, 13)
  • Everett "Bizz-E" Ramos – engineering & mixing (tracks: 1, 3-7, 9-11, 14-15)
  • Ivan Rodriguez – engineering & mixing (tracks: 1, 3-7, 9-11, 14-15)
  • Chris Tergesen – engineering & mixing (tracks: 2, 8, 12, 13)
  • DJ Clash – engineering & recording (tracks: 1, 3-7, 9-11, 14-15)
  • Leon Lee – engineering & recording (tracks: 1, 3-7, 9-11, 14-15)
  • Thomas 'On Time' – engineering & recording (tracks: 1, 3-7, 9-11, 14-15)
  • Tony Aliprantis – engineering & recording (tracks: 2, 8, 12, 13)
  • Tony Papamichael – engineering & recording (tracks: 2, 8, 12, 13)
  • Benny Medina – executive producer
  • Tyrone Williams – executive producer
  • George DuBose – art direction, photography
  • Aldo Sampieri – design

Charts
Chart (1990) Peak
position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[3] 38
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References
  1. Brown, Marisa. "Take a Look Around - Masta Ace | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  2. Juon, Steve 'Flash' (June 26, 2012). "Master Ace :: Take a Look Around :: Cold Chillin'/Reprise Records". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  3. "Master Ace Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
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