Named after one of their founding members who died shortly before its release,
KLR is the debut album from Parisian rap collective
Saian Supa Crew. Influenced by the likes of
A Tribe Called Quest,
De La Soul, and
the Roots, its blend of zouk, soul, reggae, beat-boxing, and humorous, socially conscious lyrics offer an alternative to the aggressive and provocative nature of many of their fellow French hip-hop contemporaries. Produced by
DJ Fun and
Alsoprodby, the 1999 release includes the singles "Angela" and "Raz de Maree," and a cover version of
Anita Ward's disco classic, "Ring My Bell." ~ Jon O'Brien