U-Neek Explained

U-Neek
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Eek-A-Mouse
Cover:	Superd_1056979.jpg
Released:	1991
Recorded:	1990–1991
Genre:	Reggae
Length:	50:22
Label:	Island^[1]
Producer:	Glenn "Daddy-O" Bolton, Matt Robinson, Augustus "Gussie" Clarke
Prev Title:	Mouse-A-Mania
Prev Year:	1989
Next Title:	Black Cowboy

U-Neek is an album by the Jamaican reggae artist Eek-A-Mouse, released in 1991.^{[2] [3]} He supported the album with a North American tour.^[4] "You're the Only One I Need" was released as a single.^[5]

Production

The album was produced primarily by Glenn "Daddy-O" Bolton, Matt Robinson, and Augustus "Gussie" Clarke.^[6] It includes a cover of Led Zeppelin's "D'yer Mak'er".^[7] "Border Patrol" is about the Immigration and Naturalization Service.^[8] "Rude Boys a Foreign" concerns drug trafficking.^[9] "No Problem" involves Eek-A-Mouse leading nations and solving hunger crises.^[10] "So Fine" contains a sample of "Spinning Wheel".^[11]

Critical reception

Newsday wrote that "U-Neek is full of oddities, from an apparently sincere love song ('You're the Only One I Need') to 'Gangster Chronicles', which features the Eekster rapping—or toasting—his own lyrics to part of the 'Theme from The Godfather."^[12] The Boston Globe determined that "the album moves faster than most reggae purists would like, but Eek-A-Mouse delights and informs while breaking new musical ground."^[13] The State noted that Eek-A-Mouse "can toast and rap with the best of the dance-hall sing-jays, then turn around and croon a romantic melody like a rasta Sinatra."^[14]

Personnel

• Eek-A-Mouse – vocals
• Glenn "Daddy-O" Bolton – various instruments
• Danny Lipman – guitar, trumpet
• Paul Vercesi – alto saxophone
• Danny Moynahan – saxophone
• Anthony Brewster – trumpet
• I. Timothy – trombone
• Dean Fraser – horns, vocals
• Matt Robinson  – keyboards, vocals
• Robbie Lyn, Handel Tucker, Jamie Carse, Michael Hyde – keyboards
• Danny Brown, Vere Isaacs – bass
• Danny Drum, Carl Wright – drums
• Keene Carse – drum programming, trombone
• Johnny Rivers – drum & synthesizer programming
• Dave Tobocman – programming, vocals
• Kevin O'Conner, Tommy James, Debra Falconer, Mikey Bennet, J.C. Lodge, Tony Gold – background vocals
• Producers

Daddy-O, Matt Robinson, Keene Carse, Sidney Mills, Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, Johnny Rivers

• Engineers

Kevin O'Conner, Butch Jones, Rob Sutton

Notes and References

1. Book: Moskowitz . David Vlado . Caribbean Popular Music: An Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall . 2006 . Greenwood Press . 103.
2. News: Bream . Jon . A Mouse in the House . Star Tribune . 16 Aug 1991 . 1E.
3. News: Eek-A-Mouse . Houston Chronicle . June 28, 1991 . Weekend Preview . 3.
4. News: He is perhaps the most distinctive reggae singer in the world... . Arizona Daily Star . December 18, 1992.
5. Book: Thompson . Dave . Reggae & Caribbean Music . 2002 . Backbeat Books . 106.
6. News: Abbott . Jim . Critically-acclaimed Jamaican singer Eek-A-Mouse... . Orlando Sentinel . 28 June 1991 . Calendar . 3.
7. News: Goldstein . Patrick . Pop Eye . Los Angeles Times . 16 June 1991 . Calendar . 71.
8. News: Locey . Bill . Eek-A-Mouse . Los Angeles Times . 5 Sep 1991 . J12.
9. News: Eichenberger . Bill . Squeek, Squawk, Click . The Columbus Dispatch . May 26, 1992 . 8E.
10. News: Kassulke . Natasha . Eek Is One Mighty Mouse . Wisconsin State Journal . January 28, 1994 . Rhythm . 4.
11. News: Pahnelas . Bill . Eek-A-Mouse U-Neek . Richmond Times-Dispatch . July 17, 1991 . B9.
12. News: Robins . Wayne . With a Taste of Rock and Roll . Newsday . 22 Nov 1991 . Part II . 86.
13. News: Cawley . Jimmy . Eek-A-Mouse U-Neek . The Boston Globe . 2 Jan 1992 . Calendar . 2.
14. News: Miller . Michael . New Releases . The State . August 23, 1991 . 10D.