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Just a Poet with Soul

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Just a Poet with Soul
Studio album by
Def Jef
ReleasedNovember 14, 1989
Recorded1988–89
GenreHip hop
Length51:25
LabelDelicious Vinyl
Producer
Def Jef chronology
Just a Poet with Soul
(1989) 		Soul Food
(1991)
Singles from Just a Poet with Soul
  1. "Droppin Rhymes on Drums"
    Released: November 6, 1989
  2. "Black to the Future"
    Released: May 7, 1990
  3. "Poet with Soul"
    Released: July 1, 1991

Just a Poet with Soul is the debut studio album by American rapper and record producer Def Jef. It was released on November 14, 1989, through Delicious Vinyl.[1] The album was produced by the Dust Brothers, Def Jef, and Michael Ross, who also served as executive producer. It features contributions from N'Dea Davenport and Etta James on vocals, Kevin O'Neal on bass, Michael Kory on piano, and Julio G on turntables. The album produced three singles: "Droppin Rhymes on Drums", "Black to the Future" and "Poet with Soul".

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Los Angeles Times[3]
The Village VoiceB+[4]

The Houston Chronicle opined that Def Jef "spends more time bragging about how cleverly he can say what he says than he does actually saying anything—an all-too-common rap trick... But the album is redeemed as entertainment by the Dust Brothers' funky Cali co-production and inventive use of sampling."[5]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Droppin' Rhymes on Drums" (featuring Etta James)
Def Jef4:21
2."Givin'em Rhythm"
  • Fortson
  • Erick Vaan
  • Def Jef
  • D.J. Eric Vaan[a]
4:09
3."On the Real Tip"FortsonDef Jef4:09
4."Poet with Soul"FortsonDef Jef4:12
5."Give It Here"
4:07
6."Do You Wanna Get Housed"FortsonDef Jef4:42
7."Black to the Future"FortsonDef Jef5:16
8."Do It Baby" (featuring N'Dea Davenport)
The Dust Brothers6:17
9."God Made Me Funky"
  • Fortson
  • Kevin O'Neal
  • King
  • Simpson
  • The Dust Brothers
  • Def Jef[c]
3:57
10."Downtown"
  • Fortson
  • Dike
  • Michael Ross
Def Jef4:30
11."Just a Poet"
  • Fortson
  • King
  • Dike
  • Ross
  • The Dust Brothers
  • Michael Ross
5:26
Notes
  • ^[a] signifies an assistant producer.
  • ^[c] signifies a co-producer.

Personnel

[edit]
  • Jeffrey "Def Jef" Fortson – vocals, producer (tracks: 1-7, 10), co-producer (track 9), sleeve notes
  • Etta James – additional vocals (track 1)
  • Julio "Julio G." Gonzalez – scratches (track 5)
  • N'Dea Davenport – vocals (track 8)
  • Kevin O'Neal – bass (track 9)
  • Michael Kory – piano (track 11)
  • DJ Erick Vaan – assistant producer (track 2)
  • John "King Gizmo" King – producer (tracks: 8, 9, 11), co-producer (track 5)
  • Matt Dike – producer (tracks: 8, 9, 11), co-producer (track 5)
  • Michael "E.Z. Mike" Simpson – producer (tracks: 8, 9, 11), co-producer (track 5)
  • Michael Ross – producer (track 11), executive producer
  • Brian Foxworthy – engineering
  • Mario Caldato Jr. – engineering
  • Darren Mora – additional engineering
  • Salomon Emquies – art direction, photography

References

[edit]
  1. ^ D, Chuck (2017). Chuck D Presents This Day in Rap and Hip-Hop History. Running Press.
  2. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Def Jef Just a Poet with Soul". AllMusic. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  3. ^ Gold, Jonathan (January 28, 1990). "Def Jef "Just a Poet With Soul"". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  4. ^ Christgau, Robert (December 26, 1989). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via www.robertchristgau.com.
  5. ^ Mitchell, Rick (January 28, 1990). "Records". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 8.
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