Symphony in Effect
Studio album by
Maestro Fresh-Wes
Released1989
Recorded1988–1989
GenreCanadian hip hop
LabelAttic/LMR
ProducerPeter & Anthony Davis, Maximum 60, Stanley McCook
Maestro Fresh-Wes chronology
Symphony in Effect
(1989)		 The Black Tie Affair
(1991)
Singles from Symphony in Effect
  1. "Let Your Backbone Slide"
    Released: 1989
  2. "Drop the Needle"
    Released: 1990

Symphony in Effect is the debut album of Canadian rapper Maestro Fresh-Wes, released in 1989 on Attic/LMR Records. In Canada, the album was certified platinum and was the second-best selling Cancon album in Canada of 1990.[1] It remains one of the best-selling Canadian hip hop albums of all time.[2] The first single "Let Your Backbone Slide" became the first hit single in Canadian hip hop history, and appeared on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart.[3] A second single, "Drop the Needle", was released in 1990.

Background

After making his radio debut on Toronto's CKLN in 1983, Maestro formed the Vision Crew with Ebony MC. The duo opened for hip-hop acts such as Public Enemy, Ice-T, and Beastie Boys before breaking up in 1987.[4][5] Originally known as Melody MC, he changed his alias to Maestro Fresh-Wes in 1988 and released the independent demos You Can't Stop Us Now and "I'm Showin' You", which featured his new DJ, LTD. The next year, he performed at the New Music Seminar in New York City, where he walked away with a record deal with independent label LeFrak-Moelis Records (LMR).[4] Later that year, he released Symphony in Effect which included "I'm Showin' You" and "Just Swingin'", featuring his friend Ebony MC. Maestro's manager Farley Flex also made an appearance on the track "LTD's on the Wheel(s) of Fortune".

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
RapReviews7/10[5]

The album was successful in Canada, with 190,000 copies sold, nearly going double platinum.[2] It peaked at #4 on Canada's RPM Albums Chart.[7] RapReviews.com gave it a 7/10 rating, stating "Maestro Fresh-Wes was exactly the right rapper to put Canadian hip-hop on the map."[5] The album won the first Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year in 1991.

In 2023, the album was the recipient of the Heritage Jury Prize at the 2023 Polaris Music Prize.[8]

Track listing

# Title Producer(s) Featured guest(s) Length
1. "Drop the Needle" Peter & Anthony Davis 5:44
2. "Untouchable" Peter & Anthony Davis 3:44
3. "The Mic's My Piece" Peter & Anthony Davis 5:58
4. "LTD's on the Wheel(s) of Fortune" Peter & Anthony Davis Farley Flex 4:33
5. "I'm Showin' You" Peter & Anthony Davis 4:49
6. "Let Your Backbone Slide" (Power Mix) Peter & Anthony Davis† Engineered & Mixed by Brad Bent, DV Sound 4:58
7. "Private Symphony" Maximum 60 Corey "Koko" Whittington 5:40
8. "Just Swingin'" Peter & Anthony Davis Ebony MC 5:28
9. "The Maestro" Peter & Anthony Davis 3:47
10. "Tear It Up" Stanley McCook 2:22
11. "Fortissimo" Peter & Anthony Davis 2:31

† Maximum 60 is incorrectly credited as the producer of "Let Your Backbone Slide".

Samples

Chart positions

Album

Chart (1990) Peak
position
Canadian RPM Albums Chart[7] 4

Singles

Year Single Peak position[3][9][10]
Hot Rap Singles RPM Singles Chart
1990 "Let Your Backbone Slide" 14 10
"Drop the Needle" — 46

References

  1. ↑ "Top 50 Cancon Albums of 1990". RPM. Retrieved May 25, 2021. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  2. 1 2 Border Block - Canadian Hip Hop vs. America, cbc.ca. Accessed on October 23, 2008.
  3. 1 2 Maestro Fresh-Wes > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles, Allmusic. Accessed on May 15, 2010.
  4. 1 2 Artist: Maestro Jam! Music. Accessed on October 18, 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 RapReviews review
  6. ↑ Allmusic review
  7. 1 2 Top Albums/CDs - Volume 51, No. 21, April 07 1990 RPM. Accessed on June 22, 2010.
  8. ↑ Megan LaPierre, "Maestro Fresh Wes and Skinny Puppy Win 2023 Slaight Heritage Prize". Exclaim!, October 19, 2023.
  9. ↑ Top Singles - Volume 51, No. 20, March 31 1990 RPM. Accessed on June 22, 2010.
  10. ↑ Top Singles - Volume 52, No. 5, June 16 1990 RPM. Accessed on June 22, 2010.
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