And Now the Legacy Begins is the debut album by Canadian hip hop duo Dream Warriors. It was released on April 23, 1991, by 4th & B'way Records, with an international release through Island Records. And Now the Legacy Begins is regarded as one of the finest alternative hip hop records of the golden era (1985–1995).[ Dream Warriors > Overview] AllMusic. Accessed on January 20, 2010.
Singles "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style", the album's most successful single, sampled Quincy Jones' "Soul Bossa Nova" — which was known to Canadian audiences as the theme tune to the game show Definition at the time of its release. The song was a hit in both Canada and Europe, winning a Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year in 1992. The single sold 300,000 copies worldwide. "Wash Your Face in My Sink" and "Ludi" were also notable singles.
Reception
Spin highly recommended the album, praising its "stunning, almost seamless sample-driven tracks."And Now the Legacy Begins CD CD Universe. Accessed on October 8, 2010. Robert Christgau of The Village Voice gave the album an honorable mention and quipped that it was "West Indian daisy age from boogie-down Toronto", choosing the tracks "Ludi" and "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" as highlights. The Edmonton Journal stated: "Drawing on their own roots and the music of Chinese, Spanish and Italian friends they grew up with, they've produced an original sound that capsulizes the ebb and flow of '90s dance music."
Ned Raggett of AllMusic noted that "the duo plays around with any number of inspired samples and grooves, from jazz to harder-edged beats, with style and skill."
It peaked at No. 18 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 34 in Canada, where it received gold certification. Over 800,000 copies were sold worldwide.Canadian Music Week 2004 Canadian Music Week. Accessed on December 26, 2008.
In 2013, the album made Ballasts list of the top 50 Canadian albums of all time.Unger, Andrew "The 50 Greatest Canadian Albums of All Time" , "Ballast", Feb 13, 2013 accessed Feb 14, 2013. In 2018, the album won the Polaris Heritage Prize Jury Award in the 1986-1995 category."Rush, Alanis Morissette, Kid Koala Among Polaris Heritage Prize Winners". Exclaim!, October 23, 2018.
Track listing
Samples "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" – Contains a sample of "Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincy Jones "Follow Me Not" - Contains a sample of "Pressure Gauge" by Brother Jack McDuff "Ludi" – Contains a sample of "My Conversation" by Slim Smith & the Uniques "U Never Know a Good Thing Till You Lose It" – Contains samples of "Sing a Happy Song" by War and "Wild and Loose" and "The Walk" by the Time "And Now the Legacy Begins" – Contains samples of "Shine Your Light" by the Graingers and "Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club "Tune from the Missing Channel" – Contains samples of "Oh Honey" by Delegation, "Kissing My Love" by Bill Withers and "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" by James Brown "Wash Your Face in My Sink" – Contains a sample of "Hang On Sloopy" by Count Basie "Face in the Basin" – Contains samples of "Think (About It)" by Lyn Collins and "Funky Stuff" by Kool & the Gang "Twelve Sided Dice" – Contains samples of "Riding High" by Faze-O and "Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake "Answer for the Owl" – Contains a sample of "Just Kissed My Baby" by the Meters
Chart positions Chart (1991)PeakpositionCanadian RPM Albums ChartTop Albums/CDs - Volume 53, No. 19, April 13 1991 RPM. Accessed on June 29, 2010.34Australian ARIA Charts53UK Albums Chart18
Accolades Publication Country Accolade Year RankEye WeeklyCanadaCanadian Critics Poll - Albums of the Year199125The FaceUnited KingdomAlbums of the Year199113Melody MakerUnited KingdomAlbums of the Year199126Musik Express/SoundsGermanyAlbums of the Year199120NMEUnited KingdomAlbums of the Year199118QUnited KingdomAlbums of the Year1991*Rock de LuxSpain Albums of the Year19913RoRoRo Rock-LexiconGermanyMost Recommended Albums2003*VoxUnited KingdomAlbums of the Year1991*Slaight Family Polaris Heritage PrizeCanadaWinner - Critic's Selection (1986-1995 era)2018*
(*) signifies unordered lists
Personnel Adapted credits from the liner notes of And Now the Legacy Begins. Peter Ashworth – Photography Dream Warriors – Producer, Mixing Krush – Producer Maximum 60 – Producer, Engineer, Mixing Ron Nelson – Producer, Engineer Split Personality – Producer, Mixing Swifty – Artwork Wrighty – Artwork
References