Seattle rap group Love Sick Rhymers, or L.S.R. for short, were very influential in the late ’80s and early ’90s hip-hop scene. Producer and rapper Eaze won a citywide rap-off in 1989 which was held at the Moore Theater. By that point L.S.R. had dozens of songs recorded and were looking for a way into the industry.

They put out a cassette single in 1991 called “Hold Tight 2 (Da) Rhythm.” A full album called The Yesler Shot was finished, but unfortunately it was never released. In 2024, Eaze assembled the original parent material, including three minidiscs and a cassette, and had the audio completely restored. The result is a deluxe compact disc edition of The Yesler Shot album, thirty-three years after its creation. The cover art is a collage of the two Seattle neighborhoods where the members of the group grew up.

This 1991 album consists of twelve magical tracks from the golden era of hip-hop. The opener, “12 Shots (It’s The Gauge)” goes ham responding to the grave injustice served in cases like that of Rodney King. However, most of the tracks here are not political, it’s more of a party vibe going forward. “Anotha Funky Hit Single” is a perfect example, and it is literally bursting with joyous rhythm. Longtime fans of the group will be happy to see the inclusion of L.S.R.’s underground street classic, “Cadillac Music” on The Yesler Shot.

My favorite song on the album is the title track, “The Yesler Shot.” “Rewind to the beginning, and play it nonstop,” suggests Eaze. The song fits in any situation, chilling on the couch, in the car with your friends, or partying on the dancefloor. Their 1991 hit “Hold Tight 2 Da Rhythm” is the last song on The Yesler Shot, and it’s an earlier recording of the track which is slightly different than the twelve-inch single which dropped in ’92.

This album is incredibly varied, and each song takes you to a different place. Even though most of the tracks are high energy and danceable, rapper AceeOne drops a slow, reflective cut called “Down From The Start” which will have you reminiscing about your younger days.

On November 25, 1991, L.S.R. was lucky enough to perform at the Oz nightclub with legendary New York act A Tribe Called Quest! By the end of 1992, Love Sick Rhymers would complete their last album called Comin’ Out Stompin’ which finally saw a release in 2023. Written by Novocaine132