In Control, Volume 1

1988 studio album by Marley Marl
In Control, Volume 1
Studio album by
Marley Marl
ReleasedSeptember 20, 1988 (1988-09-20)
Genre
Label
  • Cold Chillin'
  • Warner Bros.
ProducerMarley Marl
Marley Marl chronology
In Control, Volume 1
(1988) 		In Control Volume II (For Your Steering Pleasure)
(1991)
Singles from In Control, Volume 1
  1. "The Symphony"
    Released: 1988
  2. "Droppin' Science"
    Released: 1988

In Control, Volume 1 is the debut studio album by American hip hop record producer Marley Marl, of the Juice Crew.[1] It was released on September 20, 1988, through Cold Chillin' Records with distribution via Warner Bros. Records.

The album compiles ten studio recordings by fellow Juice Crew members and artists affiliated with Marley Marl. It showcased his style of hip hop production and sampling at a time when he became one of the first super-producers in hip hop music.[2] The album is broken down track-by-track by Marley Marl in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.[3]

The opulent cover stood in contrast to Marley Marl's real living conditions: "I was still living in the projects. I was paying like $110 a month for my rent, free electricity. So New York City Housing Authority kind of co-produced some of my earlier hits".[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
Robert ChristgauB+[6]

Trouser Press noted that "the album's diversity is to its credit, but Marl gives too much play to second-string rhymers, leaving the LP's few highlights (such as the Biz twigging Barry Manilow in 'We Write the Songs' and Shanté playing cute word games in 'Wack Itt') adrift on a sea of verbal boreplay."[7]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Droppin' Science" (featuring Craig G)4:59
2."We Write the Songs" (featuring Heavy D and Biz Markie)5:25
3."The Rebel" (featuring Tragedy Khadafi)3:46
4."Keep Your Eye on the Prize" (featuring Master Ace and Action)
5:42
5."The Symphony" (featuring Master Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane)6:06
6."Live Motivator" (featuring Tragedy Khadafi)
  • Chapman
  • Williams
4:45
7."Duck Alert" (featuring Craig G)
  • Curry
  • Williams
4:12
8."Simon Says" (featuring Master Ace and Action)
  • Clear
  • Williams
4:02
9."Freedom" (featuring M.C. Shan)
4:27
10."Wack Itt" (featuring Roxanne Shante)4:45

Personnel

  • Marlon "Marley Marl" Williams – main artist, producer, mixing
  • Craig "Craig G" Curry – featured artist (tracks: 1, 5, 7)
  • Marcel "Biz Markie" Hall – featured artist (track 2)
  • Dwight "Heavy D" Myers – featured artist (track 2)
  • Percy "Tragedy Khadafi" Chapman – featured artist (tracks: 3, 6)
  • Duval "Masta Ace" Clear – featured artist (tracks: 4, 5, 8)
  • Action – featured artist (tracks: 4, 8)
  • Nathaniel "Kool G Rap" Wilson – featured artist (track 5)
  • Antonio "Big Daddy Kane" Hardy – featured artist (track 5)
  • Shawn "MC Shan" Moltke – featured artist (track 9)
  • Lolita "Roxanne Shanté" Gooden – featured artist (track 10)
  • George DuBose – photography
  • James Colosimo – logo design

Charts

Chart (1988) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[8] 163
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[9] 25

References

  1. ^ MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 376.
  2. ^ MacInnes, Paul (June 13, 2011). Marley Marl becomes the first super-producer, due to In Control, Volume One. The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  3. ^ Coleman, Brian. Check The Technique: Liner Notes for Hip-Hop Junkies. New York: Villard/Random House, 2007.
  4. ^ Muhammad, Ali Shaheed; Frannie Kelley. "Marley Marl on The Bridge Wars, LL Cool J and Discovering Sampling". NPR. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  5. ^ Witt, Chris. "In Control, Vol. 1 - Marley Marl | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  6. ^ Christgau, Robert (March 14, 1989). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  7. ^ Robbins, Ira. "Marley Marl". Trouser Press. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "Marley Marl Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  9. ^ "Marley Marl Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  • Marley Marl – In Control, Volume 1 at Discogs (list of releases)
  • v
  • t
  • e
Studio albums
  • In Control, Volume 1 (1988)
  • In Control Volume II (For Your Steering Pleasure) (1991)
  • Re-Entry (2001)
Collaborative albums
Singles
  • "The Symphony"
Related articles
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
  • MusicBrainz release group