AMG Review of Total Eclipse

John Bush
All Music Guide

Underground rappers Black Moon needed to make a splash with their six-years-after comeback record, 1999's War Zone, so they made sure the featured roster included some big names: Busta Rhymes, front-loaded on the opener "The Onslaught," and Q-Tip appearing later on "Show Down." Total Eclipse, the trio's third record, finds them settling into a killer groove, ignoring the guest spots (except for close family like Cocoa Brovaz or Starang Wondah) and relying on the power of the rhyme. "Stay Real," "That'z the Way S--- Iz," and "Why We Act This Way" lay out 5Ft and Buckshot's hardcore DIY agenda. The backing tracks, mostly from da Beatminerz, are the perfect complement -- dense, reedy productions on laid-back, street-wise tracks reminiscent of the titles from classic blaxploitation soundtracks.