12" - 1997 - Fuzion Records
Released in 1997 on the independent Fuzion Entertainment label, "NYC Shine / Seven" is the sole official release from Queens rapper Mutazz. Like many underground 12-inches, this is one of those records where the real gem can be found on the B-side. In this case, that track is "Seven", a cut that immediately stands out and, for me, is the main reason to seek out this record. The lead single "NYC Shine" on the A-side is less my style.
No information about Mutazz is available online, which makes the story behind the record particularly interesting. Mutazz consisted of producer The Quixotic Child, also known as Quixotic (pronounced “Keyahtic”), from Jamaica, Queens, and rapper Mutazz from St. Albans, Queens.
Mutazz - Photo courtesy of Quixotic
The two met in high school through mutual friends and eventually came together to record what would become their only official release. Fuzion Entertainment was a collaborative label founded by four friends and artists, with Quixotic among its partners. After the Mutazz project, the partners went their separate ways and pursued different musical directions. Quixotic subsequently continued working as a producer, collaborating with artists and groups such as Ques a.k.a. Quesfire, Vision Quest, and The Worderer, although his later releases were not issued through Fuzion Entertainment. Mutazz and Quixotic also continued to release music independently after the label's period of activity.
For me, "Seven" is the standout here and the track that makes this otherwise obscure 12" worth hunting down. If you feel like adding this record to your collection, it is still relatively easy to find and generally available at reasonable prices. Peace
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