Snap! – World Power

Always a bit hit or miss with picture discs but I'm pleased to say that my copy sounds great! The remastering is top-notch with very dynamic sound, and the artwork (which I've always really liked with this album) looks fantastic. There is subtle background noise throughout but it isn't intrusive. Overall, I think it's an excellent reissue of this classic euro house album!

Alert! Don't trust that BMG will include a stable PVC sleeve, just keep it far away from the vinyl so you don't find this unplayable in a few months/years due to off-gasing that creates a smeared/mottled look.

Of course I already have this on vinyl, but who can resist such a good looking PD? :)
There is no surface noise here, as this is a well made picture discs. There will always be a noise floor on vinyl no matter if the vinyl is made by the ultimate US hipsters pressing Beck albums or a well made picture disc. Why the clear vinyl used here would be worse than any other clear vinyl is probably due to superstition or the lack of thinking things through - you are never playing the picture on a pic disc, it is hidden well below the clear vinyl that hold the grooves. Granted, both picture discs and coloured vinyl suffered from poor quality control a few decades back when vinyl in general (and mostly mastering) was on a whole different level than it is today, as the black pellets used to make vinyl black and sturdy was hard to compensate on the "novelty format choices".
These days it is the poor surviving masters, total neglect on how to actually manufacture the plates and press records that is the enemy. Not colour choices or pictures placed underneath the vinyl.

Looks awesome, sounds pretty good. Clear vocals, good bass. There is some surface noise, the type you get from most picture discs. This album should be played loud anyway and not too noticeable when turned up.

how does it SOUND?
I have on OG copy but if this sounds good i want it

Unboxing video of the limited edition picture disc!
Actually this is a really nice edition.

https://youtu.be/Gm7uXxkAunc

i have casette and CD bought in 90s The Power is the best dance track ever

i have copy Elbo Records Poland 1990 one of my favourite

on my copy there is a 9th track which is a reprise (shorter) of The Power; it is not listed on J-Card tho

The very first vinyl LP, I ever bought. Aged 11 or 12.
Already owned a CD player, but I told my mother "I'm buying vinyl, 'cos it sounds better".. ;) Not my opinion anymore, but still kinda cute - isn't it? ;)

Following the big success of the hip house single "The Power" an album had to follow. The producers Luca Anzilotti and Michael Münzing got into the studio together with rapper Turbo B (Durron Butler) and singer Penny Ford and created World Power. The style of the album is a mixture of a bit darker hip house, hip hop, house and a Technotronic influence can be heard too. It surely did make a great impression upon upcoming producers at the time, still isn't a flawless album. The singles are all pretty good but except that there are some filler tracks on this album too.

Track by Track Review

The Power: The album starts out straight away with the main reason for most of the listeners to buy this album. It is a classic of the genre with 2 hooks that have burned itself into memory ("The Power" Vocal Sample + Guitar Sample). Sound and raps are good (maybe a bit too much echo). If you would like to give a point of criticism, perhaps lacking a little variety. This album version does not include the additional vocals from Penny Ford, only the "The Power" vocal sample from Jocelyn Brown and Turbo B on raps. 4.5/5

Ooops Up: This mouse squeaking sound could have been avoided. The beat is somewhat little weaker than in The Power I think, otherwise vocals again slightly too much echo (personal taste). From the gloom and doom here I like it even better than The Power, overall though these two titles are pretty close in quality. Ooops Up I consider for a touch weaker. The song contains a sample of "Oops Up Side Your Head" by The Gap Band. 4/5

Cult of Snap: For me weaker than The Power and Ooops Up. The Shuffle Beat is cool, but it lacks here definitely a bit on variety and especially on a melody pattern. The african styled vocals doesn't do much for me either, but it is not a bad song. 3.5/5

Believe The Hype: Raps in the verses are not at all that bad, but the chorus vocals by Turbo B I do not like too much. The track also lacks a little more content - basically just bass and beats are but a somewhat rare instrumentation. 3/5

I'm Gonna Get You (To Whom It May Concern): Balladesque song with piano elements. No masterpiece, but quite pleasant. 3.5/5

Witness The Strength: You hear the lovely Luca Anzilotti in conversation with Turbo B in the intro. Bass is quite cool too, but the problem of the song is that it runs like chewing gum without a need for doing something really exciting. 2.5/5

Mary Had A Little Boy: Unlike The Power and Ooops Up this song had a little more of a positive attitude and a bit more poppy pattern (with piano house chords then often used). Vocally and melodically there is nothing to complain about. A pretty good track. 4/5

Blasé Blasé: Quite difficult to rate. Clearly a one star rating on the first impression: The one that talks alongside Turbo B (it might actually be himself) sounds like a drunken guy that they grabbed up from the street, put him into the studio and let him do of a few lines. Really no idea why it had to be like that. But then we have a really hot breakbeat sound in the song, and also a pretty solid rap from of Turbo B which pretty much saves this track. 2.5/5

Only Human: As an idea, maybe okay, but the whole thing as an independent 3 minute track on an album? Especially as Turbo B imho is not an absolutely outstanding beatboxer. Perhaps Münzing/Anzilotti wanted to satisfy the beefy Turbo B with this track? Does not do much for me. 2/5

The Power (Jungle Fever Mix): The added vocal parts by Penny Ford work quite well with the song. Is quite a perfect complement to the original. 4.5/5