Uno & Dj Shocca
ABC

The year was 1997/98 and Dj Shocca a.k.a. The Italian Job was hanging out with a certain Uno (even before the legendary Centro 13), an MC passing through the then vast and combative Italian underground scene; the fact is that the two came out that year with "ABC," an album well below average compared to the subsequent and majestic works of the legendary Shocca. The beats are almost minimal, the rhymes of young Uno do not stand out for originality and over time become tiresome, and certainly, the entire work remains a faded pawn in the path of Italian-made double H, if we consider what people like Articolo 31, Neffa, Sottotono, or Frankie Hi-Nrg Mc were producing at the time; "ABC" seems like a demo even as far as the audio part is concerned, to say the least, sufficient.

Among the tracks to "save" we can find "Chiuditi In Camera" feat. Miz D Fiz (and who the heck is this?), where the instrumental part is interesting, quite experimental but certainly does not make you miss the beats of "Niente Di Nuovo," "Se Ci Sei," "Ancora Loro," "Ghettoblaster" or "Rendez Vous Col Delirio"; "Questa è la via" feat. Ozono (who will then reappear in 1999 on "Acciaio," the Centro 13 CD) I have to admit it's a banger, the sinuous synth accompanies the voice beautifully, the scratches are okay, Schocca falters a bit on the beat, but he was still a young beatmaker, and so we overlook this little detail, nice the voice and rhymes of Ozono: "Mi trovi da qualche parte sulla strada dell'mcing, dopo le jam, dopo il demo adesso arriva il featuring." Even the last track, "Sciubidubi" feat. Centro 13 can be heard at a pseudofunky rhythm, but without counting these few good tracks, the album by Uno & Dj Shocca doesn't enthuse me too much!

NO FEAR! Shocca will find his fabulous redemption later on (fabulous is an understatement) with works like "Acciaio," "Colpi In Aria," and "60Hz," works worthy of the best American beatmaker! Years pass, and Shocca charges his beats with depth, using ever more soulful and funky samples compared to these first ones that the young DJ carved out with a small Amiga, perhaps the same one he used at the "tender" age of 13.

To be honest... I gave "ABC" 3 stars only because I understand that it was just one of Dj Shocca's early works and you will understand that I did not want to be too harsh on a great artist who, moreover, is one of my favorite DJs (let's say he's on par with Don Joe of Club Dogo!).
So, to recap: Italian-made Old School beats a bit too flat and minimal, rhymes that neither heat nor chill, features that surpass the main rapper's performance, atmospheres a bit too underground, audio quality bordering on insufficient but... Dj Shocca and Mista (or Mistaman) started right here, so the album is to be had almost exclusively for this, of course if one is a fan of our local Hip-Hop! Ok?

Tracklist:

01) Premessa
02) Non Si Reffa
03) Quando Ti Svegli (feat. Cicca)
04) Freakfunk Show
05) Sottocarica
06) Chiuditi In Camera (feat. Miz D Fiz)
07) Inanzitutto...
08) Viaggio Nel Biz
09) Questa è La Via (feat. Ozono)
10) L'Apparenza
11) Mad Drama
12) Sciubidubi (feat. Centro 13)

Goodbye...