The Black Tie Affair is the second studio album by Canadian rapper Maestro Fresh-Wes, released in 1991 on Attic/LMR Records. The singles from the album include "Nothin' at All" and "Conductin' Thangs", the latter which reached No. 1 on the RPM Cancon chart.Canadian Content (Cancon) - Volume 54, No. 1 Jun 08, 1991 RPM. Accessed on August 6, 2021. The single was also nominated for Rap Recording of the Year at the 1992 Juno Awards. It was produced mostly by Main Source member K-Cut.Maestro Fresh-Wes :: The Black Tie Affair RapReviews. Accessed on May 15, 2010.
Background Following the success of his debut album, Symphony in Effect, Maestro took it upon himself to be a role model, by delivering a more professional and socially conscious effort on his second release. In particular, the songs "Nothin' at All", "Poetry Is Black", "Watchin' Zeros Grow", and "The Black Tie Affair" showcase his conscious lyrics. Maestro used "Nothin' at All" as a way to acknowledge the achievements of prominent Black Canadians, mentioning Egerton Marcus, Ben Johnson, Lennox Lewis, Oscar Peterson, and Salome Bey in the third verse, while criticizing "race scientist" Jean Philippe Rushton in the first verse.
Reception
In Canada, the album was certified gold with over 50,000 copies sold. The Toronto Star noted the "strong range of musical styles that includes ska and soul, as well as the Maestro's best lyrics yet." The Calgary Herald opined that Wes's "main flaw is letting his mouth wander aimlessly when his artistic inspiration fails."
RapReviews gave it an 8/10 rating, calling Maestro "conscious in the very sense of the word," also stating "the result is an album that reflects both the era's climate and the rapper's personal situation." The song "Nothin' at All" was praised for being "both accusatory and motivational."
Track listing # Title Producer(s) Featured guest(s) Length1."Hors d'Oeuvres"Peter & Anthony Davis, Maestro Fresh-Wes0:482."On the Jazz Tip" K-Cut3:443."Conductin' Thangs"K-CutChristine Hamilton, Dawn Cumberbatch, Simone Denny4:364."Watchin' Zeroes Grow"Peter & Anthony Davis, Maestro Fresh-Wes5:235."Private Symphony (Remix)"Sir Scratch, K-CutCarlos Morgan, Dex Danclair, Steve Easton, Tyrone Gabriel, Washington Savage5:056."Poetry Is Black"K-Cut4:137."The Black Tie Affair" K-Cut4:308."V.I.P.'s Only"K-CutK-4CE3:529."L.T.D. Makes a Toast"K-Cut1:4910."The Maestro Zone" K-Cut5:1511."Nothin' at All"Peter & Anthony Davis, Maestro Fresh-WesGeorge Banton5:0112."Pass the Champagne"Peter & Anthony Davis, Maestro Fresh-WesFarley Flex, K-Skam, Spark, the Special Blend, Thrust4:5513."An After Dinner Mint"Peter & Anthony Davis, Maestro Fresh-Wes1:4014."Care for a Night Cap?"Peter & Anthony Davis, Maestro Fresh-Wes1:08
Samples "Poetry Is Black" – Contains a sample of "Exhibit A" by Boogie Down Productions "V.I.P.'s Only" – Contains a sample of "Cold Feet" by Albert King "Watchin' Zeroes Grow" – Contains a sample of "Flat Backing" by Blue Mitchell "The Black Tie Affair" – Contains a sample of "Sunshine Alley" by Stanley Turrentine "The Maestro Zone" - Contains a sample of "Wanoah" by Black Heat "Conductin Thangs" - Contains a sample of "Al Capone" by Prince Buster
Chart positions Album Chart (1991)PeakpositionCanadian RPM Albums ChartTop Albums/CDs - Volume 54, No. 6, July 13 1991 RPM. Accessed on June 22, 2010.20
Singles Year Single Peak positionTop Singles - Volume 54, No. 9, August 03 1991 RPM. Accessed on June 22, 2010.RPM Singles Chart1991"Conductin' Thangs"42
Personnel Dawn Cumberbatch – Vocals Anthony Davis – Producer Peter Davis – Producer Chris Gehringer – Mastering Maestro Fresh-Wes – Performer Carlos Morgan – Vocals Anton Pukshansky – Keyboards, Mixing Washington Savage – Vocals Lascelles Stephens – Vocal Arrangement Rob White – Assistant Engineer
References