Unsigned Hype: All in All

The Los Angeles duo All in All were featured in the Unsigned Hype column of the February 1991 The Source issue. Consisting of rapper J-Sum and DJ Mellow D, their self produced tape led the writer to believing "they have been at this for a while". J-Sum "has skills" and earns comparisons to Masta Ace, while Mellow-D "cuts up the wax nicely". The writer states that "these kids don't sound anything like anyone I've heard coming out of L.A.".

Although not mentioned in the article, J-Sum had already released a record two years earlier under the name "D.J. Curl Activator" with rapper Deryl with the Curl. J-Sum makes a vocal appearance on the song "Curl Activate", on which he proclaims he's the only DJ "to ever introduce his cut" (rapping DJs were a rarity at the time). The electro-rap influence displayed on the single (produced by Deryl) sounds nothing like J-Sum's later work.

Sometime after the Unsigned Hype article, J-Sum added a "bi" (derived from his real name James Sumbi) to the end of his name and Mellow D changed his name to "MD Himself". The two became early members of Freestyle Fellowship, and J-Sumbi in particular appears throughout the group's 1991 debut To Whom It May Concern.... His highlight is on the track "Sunshine Men", which actually appeared on the demo tape submitted to The Source, where it is described as "groovy as hell". J-Sumbi produces four songs on the album, while All in All produce two. J-Sumbi's solo joints in "Sunshine Men" and "Legal Aliens" are the two funkiest songs on the album and definitely stand out from an album that is filled with classic material. His voice, delivery and production work all blend together seamlessly and he really sounds like he would be one to have a prolific career in rapping. For reasons I can't find out, both J-Sumbi and MD Himself left the Freestyle Fellowship prior to the group's most successful album Innercity Griots, which was released with the more common FF line-up of Aceyalone, Myka 9, P.E.A.C.E. and Self Jupiter.

While MD Himself's only solo work comes as production on Meen Green's 2001 sophomore album Government Issue, the multi-talented J-Sumbi has produced, performed, scratched and played bass on several albums since 1991. His biggest appearance is on Bernie Worrell's 1993 album Blacktronic Science, providing vocals on the songs "Flex" and "The Vision". He additionally produced on the Good Life Cafe compilation album Project Blowed in 1995, and producing the majority of Government Issue. His most recent appearance is on fellow Good Life Cafe attendee and former The Nonce member Sach's 2016 album fiDELITY, on which he performs bass.

The group's only claim to fame were their appearances on Freestyle Fellowship's debut in 1991 (at least the Unsigned Hype writer's wish that "All in All will get theirs in 1991" came true) but the group did not exist or do anything notable after that. However, J-Sumbi's "Sunshine Men" is a true showcase of advanced lyricism, and it is a shame he did not release any additional rapping material.

Discography
Deryl with the Curl & D.J. Curl Activator (1989)
"This Is How I Write It (Don't Try to Bite It)"
"Curl Activate"

To Whom It May Concern... - Freestyle Fellowship (1991)
3. "7th Seal" - Myka 9 (produced by Myka 9 & J-Sumbi)
5. "Sunshine Men" - J-Sumbi (produced by All in All)
6. "Physical Form" - P.E.A.C.E. (produced by J-Sumbi)
7. "120 Seconds" - Aceyalone (produced by J-Sumbi)
12. "5 O'Clock Follies" - Myka 9 (produced by J-Sumbi)
13. "Legal Alien" - J-Sumbi (produced by All in All)

Blacktronic Science - Bernie Worrell (1993)
2. "Flex" (vocals by J-Sumbi)
6. "The Vision" (vocals by J-Sumbi)

Project Blowed - Various artists (1995)
8. "Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" - Dolla Holla (produced by J-Sumbi)

The Smoking Section - Meen Green (1998)
2. "Hey Meen Green" (scratches by J-Sumbi)

Government Issue - Meen Green (2001)
1. "Intro" (produced by J-Sumbi)
2. "Don't Trip" feat. Mark da Murderah (produced by MD Himself)
3. "Hemp Cartel Love" feat. B-Weazy & Mark da Murderah (produced by J-Sumbi)
4. "Pass It 2 da Homies (4:20)" feat. B-Weazy & Jinji Smith (produced by J-Sumbi)
5. "Funny Powers" feat. B-Weazy (produced by J-Sumbi)
6. "If U Can't Make Me Happy" feat. ShanDozia (produced by J-Sumbi)
7. "TWisM 2K1" (produced by J-Sumbi and MD Himself)
8. "THC" feat. Ganjah K & Mark da Murderah (produced by J-Sumbi)
11. "Uno Mas" (produced by J-Sumbi)
14. "We Smokin' Green (T.H.C. Anthem)" feat. B-Weazy, Jinji Smith, ShanDozia & St. Marc (produced by J-Sumbi)
15. "WST" feat. Ganjah K & Supherb (produced by J-Sumbi)
17. "Outro" (produced by J-Sumbi)

Suckas Hate Me - Sach (2002)
3. "Miracle" (scratches by J-Sumbi)

fiDELITY - Sach (2016)
1. "Over the Under" (bass performed by J-Sumbi)
2. "Flow fiDELITY" (bass performed by J-Sumbi)
3. "Wise Buds Being Broken" (bass performed by J-Sumbi)
4. "Theme fiDELITY" (bass performed by J-Sumbi)
5. "Wish Up" (bass performed by J-Sumbi)
6. "Intro fiDELITY" (bass performed by J-Sumbi)
7. "Much to Bear" (bass performed by J-Sumbi)
8. "Six Sides" (bass performed by J-Sumbi)
9. "Cha Cha (with Sach in the Lounge)" (bass performed by J-Sumbi)