Jump on It!

by The Sugarhill Gang

Overview

The longtime reissue label Rhino Records made a transition from faithful historian to active participant in the world of modern music with Jump on It!, the first new album by the Sugarhill Gang in more than 15 years. Combining their recent emphasis on old-school rap and children's records, label executives brought Big Bank Hank, Master G, and Wonder Mike back together to record an album of updated Schoolhouse Rock-type raps. Each of the ten songs are message tracks, beginning with the title track, a shout-out to kids that they're never too young to start reaching for their dreams. Other tracks focus on either specific educational subjects ("ABC's," "The Vowels," "Last Day of School") or on subjects more generally beneficial for kids' well-being ("Fireworks," "Sugar Hill Groove," "My Little Playmate"). As fun and educational as Jump on It! is for kids, though, this album is a non-starter for hip-hop fans. The trio's raps haven't progressed beyond (and may have even fallen back from) "Rapper's Delight," and from the sounds of it, Jump on It! was recorded in much the same way as all the classic material from Sugar Hill Records -- the music credits go to the Sugar Hill House Band, though individual members aren't listed. It's a much better tack than trying to update the Sugarhill Gang for the late-'90s hip-hop world, but this children's album doesn't make any kind of transition to adult audiences. ~ Keith Farley

Product Details

Release Date:	08/17/1999
Label:	Kid Rhino / Rhino
UPC:	0081227559922

Tracks

1. Jump on It
2. Kick a Rhyme with Dr. Seuss
3. ABC's
4. It's Like a Dream Sometimes
5. The Vowels
6. Fireworks
7. Last Day of School
8. Kids' Rapper's Delight (Kids' Rap-Along)
9. Sugarhill Groove
10. My Little Playmate

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Sugarhill Gang   Primary Artist
Jonathan Williams   Primary Artist
Positive Force   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Russell Robinson   Composer
Nancy L. Hopkins   Design
Traditional   Composer
Sylvia Robinson   Composer
Lynn Ahrens   Composer
Bernard Edwards   Composer
Doug Schwartz   Mastering
Hugh Brown   Photography
Positive Force   Performer
Matt Oppenheimer   Executive in Charge of Music
Nile Rodgers   Composer
Melvin Glover   Artwork
The Sugarhill Gang   Engineer
Grandmaster Melle Mel   Performer
Jonathan Williams   Mixing,Artwork,Composer,Producer,Performer
Leland Robinson   Artwork,Producer,Executive Producer
Big Bank Hank   Composer
Michael Wright   Mixing,Artwork,Arranger,Composer,Producer
Joey Robinson, Jr.   Executive Producer,Producer,Composer,Arranger,Artwork,Mixing