Silent Assassin is an album by the Jamaican musicians Sly and Robbie, released in 1989 via Island Records.[1][2]

Production

The album was produced by KRS-One, at the suggestion of Island; it was KRS's desire to make a "commercial" rap album.[3][4][5] Queen Latifah and Young M.C., among others, make guest appearances on Silent Assassin.[6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[7]
Audio	B[8]
Chicago Tribune	[9]
Robert Christgau	B+[10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[11]
Houston Chronicle	[12]
Ottawa Citizen	[13]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[14]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	8/10[15]
St. Petersburg Times	[16]

The Washington Post wrote that "the rhythm grooves on Silent Assassin are deeper, sexier and more melodic than those on almost any other rap record."[6] The Globe and Mail deemed the album "a tough, articulate, rhythmically powerful blend of modern reggae and rap and hip hop."[17] The St. Petersburg Times considered "Dance Hall" "arguably the best rap track of 1989."[16]

Trouser Press called it "an ambitious undertaking," writing that "Latifah rules the mic on 'Woman for the Job'."[5] The Spin Alternative Record Guide thought that it "was scrupulously intelligent and involving, yet it was an '80s-style consolidation instead of a true fusion or '90s-style deconstruction."[15]

Track listing

Personnel

• Sly Dunbar - drums
• Robbie Shakespeare - bass
• KRS-One - production, vocals
• Queen Latifah - vocals
• Young M.C. - vocals
• Shah of Brooklyn - vocals

References