Kurtis Blow: The Hip Hop Anniversary Tour, Live in Cologne 2008

This eight-song release (including an introduction and scratch break) captures hip-hop pioneer Kurtis Blow live in Cologne, Germany in 2008. Clad in a white tracksuit and baseball cap, Blow begins the program with “Party Time,” encouraging the crowd to sing along, after which he introduces himself through rhyme (“For those of you who do not know, my name is Kurtis Blow/Welcome to the show”), before performing hits like “The Breaks” and “If I Ruled the World” from 1985's Krush Groove. Blow's accompanists include DJ Temple Dynasty, co-rapper Kurtis Blow Jr., and a pair of breakdancers doing their thing in front of a slideshow featuring posters and other ephemera from throughout Blow's career. For the last two tracks, Blow invites B-boys and girls from the audience to join him for some hip-hop moves. Aside from his own accomplishments, Blow pays tribute to the Fat Boys and Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay. Although this hour-shy concert is a little short on music, the entertaining Blow proves he still has the rap goods. Presented in Dolby Digital stereo, this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)