Tough (Kurtis Blow album)

Tough
Studio album by
Kurtis Blow
Released1982
StudioGreene Street Studios (New York)
GenreRap
Label
Producer
Kurtis Blow chronology
Deuce
(1981) 		Tough
(1982) 		Party Time?
(1983)
Singles from Tough
  1. "Tough"
    Released: 1982

Tough is the third studio album by the American rapper Kurtis Blow, released in 1982 through Mercury Records.[1] The recording sessions took place at Greene St. Recording in New York. The album was produced by James B. Moore and Robert Ford Jr.

The album peaked at number 167 on the Billboard 200 and number 38 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its lead single "Tough" made it to number 37 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Christgau's Record Guide: The '80sB[2]
Rolling Stone[3]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[1]

The New York Times wrote that "though 'Tough' stops short of rage, it nevertheless describes the consequences of unemployment on male self-esteem in devastating detail".[4] Music critic Carl Cooper placed Tough on his ballot for the 1982 Village Voice Pazz and Jop poll.[5]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Tough"
 
2."Juice"
 
3."Daydreamin'"
  • Walker
  • Moore
  • Smith
  • Orin Jones
 
4."Boogie Blues"Moore 
5."Baby You've Got to Go"
  • Moore
  • Ford Jr.
 

Personnel

  • Kurtis Walker – vocals, timbales
  • James B. Moore – guitar, producer
  • David Reeves – guitar
  • Dean Bailin – guitar
  • Robbie Kondor – piano
  • Jeff Bova – synthesizer
  • Lawrence Smith – bass
  • Seth Glassman – bass
  • Jimmy Bralower – drums
  • Trevor Gale – drums
  • Sam Jacobs – percussion
  • Brian Brake – cymbal
  • Robert Ford Jr. – producer
  • Rod Hui – recording, mixing
  • Howie Weinberg – mastering
  • Bob Heimall Inc. – art direction
  • Mo Ström – design
  • Lloyd Nelson – cover photo

Charts

Chart (1982) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[6] 167
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[7] 38

References

  1. ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 69.
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert (1990). "B". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Retrieved August 17, 2020 – via robertchristgau.com.
  3. ^ Marsh, Dave (February 11, 1983). "Records". Greensboro Daily News. Rolling Stone. p. 38 – via newsbank.com.
  4. ^ Holden, Stephen (September 2, 1982). "Rap Music: Kurtis Blow". The New York Times. p. C13. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  5. ^ Christgau, Robert (January 8, 2019). "1982 Pazz & Jop: Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome". The Village Voice. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  6. ^ "Kurtis Blow Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  7. ^ "Kurtis Blow Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
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