Seattle's
Kid Sensation's (
Steve Spence) debut is an engaging, if not totally compelling, slab of hip-hop...He's macho, but not misogynistic; he's got a feel for a hook and good pop sense, but he isn't simply cannibalizing '70s funk riffage; and his political righteousness is more explicit on the sleeve notes than it is on the disc. While not creating any forceful moments, he comes through as a smart interpreter, especially when he slows down the pace and grinds through some
Bootsy-inspired bass blurts on "Maxin' With E.C.P." As strong are the two tracks he originally released as a double A-side 12-inch, "Back To Boom" and "I S.P.I.T.," which tap into the
Kid's obvious strengths, such as his felicitous wordplay and stone-tough backing tracks.