Lyrics to Go

The Revolution Continues,,,

2011-05-28T09:38:00.000-04:00

I remember looking into the history of Hip-Hop and seeing a lot of references to Gil-Scott Heron. I have his first album and his two best albums, Pieces of a Man and Winter in America with Brian Jackson. With all he endured and stood for his life, I hope he can finally find the peace he so desperately sought in life. Farewell to a man who was never afraid to lead the charge for a brighter day.

"The Low End Theory Is Here..."

2010-09-24T14:05:00.000-04:00

Its the 19th anniversary of the the Tribe's Sophomore Effort and what a knockout it is. There is so much that has been said about this album, but the best opinion on this album comes from the artists themselves and through the music they released. So chill out to the music cause its vibes and stuff.

Also, stop by Hip Hop Is Read for the sample set Ivan put together and check out The Rap Up for their dedication to Tribe for the day.

Awoken Up on MY Born Day

2010-07-22T19:32:00.001-04:00

Another year older and now it dawns on me, time to face the realities of the world and keep striving for success.

John Q's Bornday has come to fruition again for that annual festive time of the year (NO NOT THE HOLIDAY THAT DOES NOT EXIST IN AUGUST)(What That Means, I can't even tell you)

Sorry for that previous outburst, but sometimes a ______ get confused. Can I still join your wack crew?

*50 hangs up the phone (Which Today seems to be which fans have done to Fidy (OHhhh))*

Excuse me, I imagine I smoking and drinking, I supposed to stop, but what more could you ask from the international.....

Where this is going?? I don't really know (Kinda like the direction of the blog* but wherever it goes you know it is going to be a loophole that makes the Joker ride at six flags seem therapeutic

So buckle up and Time to go out and about and have a throwdown Blaring Some Camp Lo, Tribe, Roy Ayers, & Kool and the Gang, Jamiroquai, Pete Rock & CL Smooth and whatever comes out of the iPod shuffle on The BOOMIN SYSTEM!!!

Happy born day to me indeed!!!

I Must Be Dreaming...

2010-06-10T17:04:00.000-04:00

Got to find some way to get there. For Q, his fav hip hop album being performed in its entirety by the Tribe and Snoop and the reclusive Lauryn Hill...excuse me wah... Ms. Hill coming out to perform there respective classic material. Can't wait for the event to start up!!!!

A Lovely Lady Indeed

2010-05-10T08:51:00.000-04:00

Lena Horne (1917-2010)

Relax In Paradise Lena Horne. One of the most talented and beautiful woman to ever grace a movie screen with a voice that matched her beauty!!!

Above The Clouds

2010-04-20T17:08:00.001-04:00

Keith "GURU" Elam 1961 - 2010

RIP AKA Relax In Paradise Guru of Gangstarr.

Gangstarr will always be sureshot!!!!

John Q Plays "Above The Clouds" to Begin Consoling Process

A Tribe Called Quest Rare Musical Goods To Enjoy!!!!

2010-04-07T00:37:00.000-04:00

This is my musical easter egg. A lot of unreleased Tribe instrumentals I being fiendin to have over the years and so thought i would pass along from other sources. Enjoy and remember, John Q is always around and will try to do a super post soon on.... can't say *Masses: Aw man, you ain't got nothin cooked up* OH YEAH, WELL THE SUPER POST IS ON... oh I see what ya tried to do and I just say that these cats i goin to post on may stay focused on a certain subject, but who can flip it better than them.....

A Tribe Called Quest - Rare & Unreleased Instrumentals Vol. 2

Tracklist
01. Excursions
02. Midnight
03. Jazz (We’ve Got)
04. We Can Get Down
05. Youthful Expression
06. Lyrics To Go
07. Rap Promoter
08. The Chase Part II
09. Footprints
10. Vibes And Stuff
11. God Lives Through
12. Description Of A Fool

QUEST WITH THE QUESTERS!!!!

(Link provided from Rappamelo)

One of the Illest To Ever Do It...

2010-02-10T21:13:00.003-05:00

Fours Years later and it still hurts just as much to find out you had passed on.

RAISE IT UP FOR DILLA AND CELEBRATE HIS LIFE THROUGH HIS MUSIC

Currently Bumping: Fantastic Vol 2.10(Oringinal Fantastic Vol. 2 with remixes, bonus tracks and an instrumental CD) and Donuts!!!

"Love's Knockout King"

2010-01-14T12:27:00.001-05:00

1950 - 2010
Rough, but smooth is how most would describe his voice. Good to know he was a someone who always tried to make the best out of horrific situations, so thank you MR. Pendergrass for all the music you provided us and RIP, Teddy!!!

"What A Vacation"

2010-01-02T13:54:00.008-05:00

I'm back in the place to be and the place to see!!! So about not posting for so long um yeah...I wanted to do a post a week after last post but you just get side track and college and well that's how I can explain me absence the bests *BUT I HAVE A TARDY SLIP, DOES NO ONE RECOGNIZE THESE ANYMORE*

Anyway, I just wanted to spit my two cents over what I seen from coursing the blogsophere and here I go:

1. Happy New Year to all those and to all those a good night
I see I was not the only one to be anxious to get the heck out the 2-Double-0's and start anew and really everybody needs a fresh start from economy to hip-hop, although hip-hop had plenty of quality releases in the past decade to the dismay of detractors. Hope this decade flips the script on the past decade and we finish this year and ultimately decade in a better place than last decade.

2. Lists of 2000's
Everybody and their mamas, mamas mamas, mamas mamas mamas, made a list on just about everything from the past decade. So my list is coming.....nope!!! The thing about making such list is it allows each person or group to say that here is the top ___ of ____ but, in the world we live in today with the blogs, everybody is given a chance to make their own list and soon it becomes too much to read so and so's list, thus overloading everyone and you even miss some quality insight. Besides it's 2010, so lets focus on the better of tomorrow, because everybody has already celebrated the highs and saddening lows of the past.

3. The Direction of this blog
I cannot really answer that question because college is starting to give the challenge that makes you curse yourself for choosing such a major, but you will ultimately forgive if the major helps you land a decent career. So I guess the posting will have to remain sporadic for the near future until things settle down and get married and have a family and reminisce on the old days of constant blogging???!!!! But don't be upset *Says this to anyone who still visits this blog* because when I do drop a post I make sure it can last you for the long haul (*hopes people actually feel like this from my blog*).

So with all that said here are some things to leave you with smooth-like-a-criminal music to move to into the 2K10:

The Roots - Sandwiches EP

Tracklist

Once In A Lifetime
Sizuuuuuuuurpin
Head Slicer
Spain (ft. Chick Corea)
The Juice of Chicago
Baatin
Woman
Choir Fire
Teen Town
Cant Keep Headphones on Head
Red Toe Nail Bashing
Blinded By The Light (No Douche Here)
Caveman for Dennis Quaid
Wan Cook Soup
Someone Is Late To Dentist Appointment
I Get Lifted
Werewolf Barmitzvah
Like This Anna Torv
Breezin (ft. George Benson)
EvenzarahlikesTHISone
The Suits
Usher In That Choir

HAVE SOME

Mos Dej & Robert Glasper Live In Ann Arbor - Tribute to J Dilla

Tracklist

01. Black Radio
02. Fantastic
03. The $
04. Interlude
05. E=MC2
06. Jam
07. Ms. Fat Booty
08. The Look of Love
09. Players
10. Bass Solo
11. Jam
12. Interlude
13. Paint The World
14. Interlude
15. Stakes Is High
16. Fall In Love

DILLA FOREVER ILLA (Link, Tracklist, & Album Cover courtesy of Rappamelo)

"15 Years Ago Today...Vol 2"

2009-09-13T11:07:00.005-04:00

BK was represented to the Fullest!!!!!!!

&

Tragically, Hip-Hop Lost One of Brightest Stars 13 Years ago Today.

Thus, Ironically being another way these two men will forever by linked.

"Soulful Sundays Vol. 1"

2009-08-23T15:34:00.006-04:00

Welcome to the first edition of the title of this post. The idea of course gains inspiration from Kev Nottinhams own edition, so I thought why not provide my own two cents (what if they made a two cents???). I usually go "Off the Wall" with the intro to a post but why do it you when you skip down to the subject of the post. I thought why not explore realms beyond hip-hop and move into the music that makes you "GET DOWN." A lot of times, I don't really listen to hip hop but venture into the R&B and *GASP* Neo-Soul terrority with a mix of junk and funk and soul (Right there I sound Redundant @ Q-Tip). Heck, this is what I just listen to in the after hours because I music during this gots to be cool (On a Tribe Vibe in this post). So, today I offer up two sounds that can be seen as similar in sound (to a degree), but whateva I don't where I am going wiht this sentence, so "Let's Groove This Moment."

The Brand New Heavies - Shelter
CHILLED!!!! The Brand New Heavies are pretty well regarded in the Hip Hop Circles. Their Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol 1 album was the just dope. But for me, My favor-ite album from them is Shleter. The showed the Heavies trenched in the downtempo music that can characterize a great deal of the late 90's,as the album was released in 97' (more so 96-98, because by 99' things had changed from this trend). Anyways, back to this album, the group's lead singer, N'Dea Davenport, had left the group and the she was replaced by Siedah Garrett. Garrett is most well-known for her work with the late and great Michael Jackson on duet of "I Can't Just Stop Loving You" and 1# hit song "Man in the Mirror" which she wrote. Well, Garrett teamed up with the Heavies only for one album and "Shelter" was the result. This album is just smooth with great instrumentation and kinda a airy sound that oozes sultry groove and funk. From the upbeat, after hours opening song of "I Like It" to the sultle bliss of the "Sometimes" and "Feels Like Right" to the empowering "Highest High" the album just is full of good music. It is a testament to the abilities of Garrett and the Heavies to make such a good album out the gate for their collaboration. Such a shame this the only album from this incarnation of the Heavies, but they hit strong with this effort.

Jamiroquai - Travelling Without Moving
FUTURISITC VIBES!!! Funny that I would do a post on this crew as most people would not admit to liking them. The most frequent comparisons the group has drawn to over thier careers is that of one and only Stevie Wonder. This is truth to the comparisons, but the differences are more intruiging. Jamiroquai are a Acid Jazz based band hailing from England. The group was mande after the Group's lead Singer and founder, Jay Kay, decided to from his own group after being rejected from wait for it... A Brand New Heavies audition. This was *HINDSIGHT IS 20/20 like ABC* obviously a blessing in disguise. Kay rounded up some musicians, notably bassists Stuart Zender, and cut some demos. This lead to a record deal and they delivered with their first album "Emergency on Planet Earth." The environmentally socially conscious themed album was a hit in the UK and they only got better with their second album "The Return of The Space Cowboy." Yet, The group is most well-knwon for the third album,(released in 96') which is the subject of this section in this post. "Travelling Without Moving" was propelled in sales and acclaim by the lead song of the album "Virtual Insanity." The video for the song was just plain innovative with the moving room and Kay dancing around the room (or so it appeared). The video and song broke them into the US market and help their album move 11 million units. The song after the lead song continued it's funky and spacey vibes with the song "Cosmic Girl." Heck the first six songs on the album are just sick culminating in the space jam (see what I did there) "Alright." Other songs such as the title track, "You Are My Love," "Spend A Lifetime," Do You Know Where you Are COming From", and "Funktion" are just as great as the first six songs and close out the album on a funky vibe. The album is so much fun and just give it a try before you bash John for discussing this crew. Heck, it got a review in the Source (when people still read magazines for all the info on the happenings of the world). Man, they had a Tribe like run with their first three albums (literally since their best album is considered their second album, but more people agree their album is truly their best) and then Zender left and yeah..., but this serves as a introductory album to the crew as it was their apex becuase everything builds to this and then everything after this does not hold a candle to this album. Man, do I wish for a reunion of the original lineup of Jamiroquai to do one more show, but I guess that is what Youtube is for, I guess....

*Sidenote: I did a post on two groups that have some connection to the Hip-Hop world and Tribe as Tip worked on the Remix of the Heavies "Somethimes" song (More of an Ummah production) and Jay Dee did a remix to Jamiroquai's "Deeper Underground" and Camp Lo even gave Jamiroquai a shoutout in a magazine interview.*

The Brand New Heavies - Shelter

1		I Like It
2		Sometimes
3		Shelter
4		Crying Water
5		Day By Day
6		Feels Like Right
7		Highest High
8		You Are The Universe
9		Stay Gone
10		Once Is Twice Enough
11		You Can Do It
12		After Forever
13		Last To Know
14		You've Got A Friend

Talkin 'Bout A Revolution!!!

Jamiroquai - Travelling Without Moving

1		Virtual Insanity
2		Cosmic Girl
3		Use The Force
4		Everyday
5		Alright
6		High Times
7		Drifting Along
8		Didjerama
9		Didjital Vibrations
10		Travelling Without Moving
11		You Are My Love
12		Spend A Lifetime
13		Do You Know Where I Coming From

14 Funtion

A Space Odessesy To Get Lost In

"What The ????"

2009-08-14T20:56:00.003-04:00

I Just did a post on the singles released by the Clipse en route to them dropping their third album. You may not notice this by now since it seems my post has been deleted. I guess it's time to go Inspectah Gadget and solve this mystery.

Update: Mystery solved, So I guess that post never happened, so time to move on (OR NOT)...

"They Reminsce Over You"

2009-08-01T14:26:00.004-04:00

Rest In Peace Baatin!!!

Hope you and J Dilla jam for eternity in the heavens above

Prayers go out to his family and legion of fans and hopefully you find peace in eternity!!!

"Announcement'"

2009-07-30T12:52:00.002-04:00

The-day's post is brought you by the good people over at boredom INC. I am still trying deciding on how to proceed (Should I go Random Music Drops of Album Reveiws), bare with me like a long summer day that you will miss in the fall (or switch sentence around with other seasons because who does not like a Madlib (Game and Producer, Stank you very much).

So, here is my open invitiation to those who are interested in guest blogging for a period of time (hopefully you keep it from slipping). If you, or friend, want to jump into the foray that is Lyrics to Go write to PO Box ABC-It's-As-Easy-As-123 or...... you could send an email or leave a comment and I see what I can do for you.

I got some things in the works-like-clock, so continued paitence is needed before I shall, PROCEED and continue to give you what entertains you (you would think).

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q's Perserverance keeps on

"Woke Up Early On My Born Day, Vol. 2"

2009-07-22T11:00:00.007-04:00

Yes, The Borrowed Quote from Nas means it is that time of the year!!!

John Q's Bornday has come to fruition (What That Means, I can't even tell you)

This means that being *Age withheld for security Purposes and plus Bloggin' can get crazy* means fast appraoching maturity, RIGHT??!!!

To hecks with that, Time to go out and about and have a throwdown Blaring Some Camp Lo, Tribe, Roy Ayers, & Kool and the Gang Out The BOOMIN SYSTEM!!!

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q's Perserverance keeps on

"Random Music Drop Vol. IV"

2009-07-09T21:00:00.001-04:00

I should be more consistent with the blogging such as basically all the other blogs I visit everyday, but with the whole writers block of thinking of ideas to keep cats coming back thing just left me waiting for the right time to strike like a touchdown???!!!!

Anywho. I know teh last paragraph is not even enough sentences to be considered as such but for one ot mention that would mean i actually gave a damn about such a thing while blogging. *John talks over issue with Q*
Q: John, you do care about such things
John: How dyou know
Q: Let's call it a blogger's intution
Unidentified Blogger: HOW CAN JOHN AND Q CONVERSE AT WITH ONE ANOTHER
John and Q: Simple, it all started with a orange basketball, and...um.... *Handles Blogger's Question while stating* RESPECT THE DROP!!!!!!!!

Whew!!! If you got past that bullysh*t excuse I had for not posting, then let's move on. Today's we bringing back the Random Music Drop series because Demand has bee high (Let's see if anyone catches the Comcast refernece). So are you ready because it's about to get "Vocal sample: FUNKY" And When I say funky, I mean I walk with the funk, I talk with the funk
I eat with the funk, I sleep with the funk, I live for the funk, I'll di...did I mention I'll sleep with the funk (Be stay protected (Thanks Drake for the PSA))????!!!!

Onyx - Shiftee 12"
LOW, DOWN, GRITTY, & GRIMEY!!!! Remember when Onyx was one of the primer players in the Rap game. They came tih the whole "We mad as Heck and they WE HAD IT UP TO HERE (John still does know where "Here" is)"Attitude. Of course they are more well known as group for the classic song "Slam," but let's focus attetntion on some good tracks released as single's from their first album, since this is the Random Music Drop, and I have a zeal for blogger professionalism. The shiftee song is a good example of what the whole crew was about. This song is also known for the ending which would be sampled by Black Moon on title track of thier classic debut album "Enta Da Stage". Onyx also intrigued me for it seemed they are more well known for Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingers and their respective acting careers for more than anything. Come to think of if, what young urbam teen was not watching Moesha in the late 90s. Awww the late 90s', not quite like the early 90's or the 2-Double O, but you know what the hecks you be right???!!!

Bahamadia - Uknowhowwedu 12"
WHEN IT'S BUMPING IN THE JEEP!!! Speaking of the late 90s.....I don't know where Q wants to go with that sentence so turn to page 5 if you want him to recollect his day or turn page 19 to continue this post. So my day went....progressing on in the post (John Q turned to both pages (evil laughter ensue)), Bahamadia is known for being the female Guru (of Gangstarr fame, of course (AND NO DO NOT BRING UP SOLAR)) with the whole monotone voice (Does not hurt she was down with the GangStart Foundation). She could spit just as well as Guru and so she released Uknowhowwedu in '96 and it got some play (of course it, everything got play back in those days). I also liked how well the track instrumental fit Bahamadia. In fact, the instrumental was produced byDJ Red Handed, and none other than Ski of Camp Lo fame (Seriously, one of these days you are going to take my claim as being one of the more notable producers of the 90s seriously). The track just introduce cats to what Bahamadia was about with her whole Philly vibe. Huh, you know listening to the track it would be fitting to her the Legendary Roots Crew spit a "1-2, 1-2" to the instrumental since they collaborate on Illadelph Halflife (Classic, for the cats who know how they do (Pun gets inten-tion).

The Pharcyde - Passin Me By 12"
FATLIP'S LAST VERSE!!!! That proceeding sentence seems to be all that needs to be said about this song. It is pretty ironic that such a crew that brought a comedic and left-of-field approach to the rap game (like a little less De La Crew from the West) most well known song is pretty depressing, but what can you do as that is the rap game for you (It is sad how true that statement is). I could go into the backstory of the crew or discuss there ups and downs in the rap industry, but save that for the Supa Post (John: Alright, Q, I will). So this song is the attention of this portion of the post and what a great song it is from their classic debut, Bizzare Ride II The Pharcyde. All tracks "In Pete Rock Voice: Rock The House" and all the MCs and producer, J-Swift, came comedically correct (if there is such a term) on the album, and particulary on this song. With the sample of The Jimmy Hendrix Expericence "Are You Experienced" (What you think I just listen to rap, I also can kick "Rock," "Jazz" and "Classical") you knew you were in for something very different. While all the MCs on the track give th track it's justice, Fatlip steals the show with the last verse (A verse that got a Source quoatable of the month might I add, I THIMK (Big Up to Vincent for all the Source Drops)) . His verse hits so close to home, that I just roll over to the other side of the bed???? The B-Side "Pork" is pretty entertaining, but you can tell they were BSing, but check out the 12", and travel to the Pharcyde (Tell the crew I said "What's Up, Fatlip and Crew??!!" when you get there).

Junior M.A.F.I.A. - Gettin Money (Remix) 12"
GET MONEEEEYYY!!! The weird thing about Hip-Hop is how if you are a fan of the backpackers, this means that you can't like the commerical sh*t or else you will be called a sell-out faster than Mic Geronimo's apporach to his second album. Well, this is one of the reason for the dysfunctional family that Hip-Hop is to at present day, yet someone diss hip hop and you gots each others backs!! This preceeding diatribe (John Q is using that Webster (You had to watch one episode) Dictionary) is my explanation for bumping this song. In fact, I bumped this song as much as "Player's Anthem" and could give a damn what some one says becasue I am recognizing that the voice inside my head, Is urging me to be myself but never follow someone else, Because opinions are like voices, We all have a different kind (cosign @ Q-Tip). This song, and group for a matter of fact, also seemed as extension of Biggie just bragging about the excess of life once you start bring in the dough. Junior M.A.F.I.A. 's did have some gems but was just not strong enough to carry weight as being an extension of "Ready To Die" as AZ's "Doe or Die" helps add to the greatness of "Illmatic" (Oh, Yeah, Another Reason: Illmatic > Ready To Die!!! Any issue to that statement can be lefting a comment addressed to 1234 Hoep John Gives a Damn Drive Anytown, Earth PO Box.....).

Michael Jackson - Off The Wall
THE GREATEST TO EVER DO IT!!!! As Random as this Music Drop was, I could not conclude this post without paying my respects to Michael Jackson. I feel that there really are no words that can do justice to fully encapuslate the greatness of his music catalog, so I see it as fitting that his music as a solo artist and with his brothers in the Jackson 5 can do justice to providing a proper perspective on his career. Also, as much a people joke about his troubled upbringing and tragic early death, the internet nearly crashes when news of his death spreads and radios across the world play his music for what it seems like 25/8 each day. Go's to show that you don't know what you got till it's gone. Out of all the albums Michael Jackson made, his Off The Wall album always grabbed my attention more. Yes, I know Thriller is the better album, but I could get downs and boogie more with Off The Wall. Maybe it is because it have me favorite Michael Jackson song = Rock With You. The album is just musically tight and full of lush harmonies and funky rhythms from the Groovy "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" To the Late night Jam of the album's title tack "Off The Wall". Off The Wall set the groundwork for which Thriller with fly into the Stratosphere from. Musically, he never topped Off The Wall and I compare those two albums to the Debate I have over the Tribe. I know That "The Low End Theory" is the Better album, But I enjoy "Midnight Marauders" more. But really, trying to choose better Off The Wall and Thriller is like trying to pick amongst favorite child, you love all the same and see them as perfect. Michael, you gave the world gifts that will last forever and I hope you truly find peace in life after death. God Bless Those That Have Come To Pass!!!

Onyx - Shiftee 12"

1		Shifftee (Radio Mix) (3:27)
2		Shifftee (Shytizon Remix) (3:28)
3		Shifftee (Spikinspan Remix) (3:28)
4		Shifftee (Acapella) (2:32)
5		Shifftee (Instrumental) (3:26)
6		Shifftee (Instrumental Remix) (3:28)
7		Bichasniguz (LP Mix) (3:54)
8		Bichasniguz (Instrumental) (3:54)

Mediafire Link

Bahamadia - Uknowhowwedu 12"

1		Uknowhowwedu (Album Version) (3:35)
2		Uknowhowwedu (Radio Version) (3:34)
3		Uknowhowwedu (Instrumental) (3:41)
4		Uknowhowwedu (Acappella) (3:35)
5		True Honey Buns (Dat Freak Sh*t) (Album Version) (3:42)
6		True Honey Buns (Dat Freak Sh*t) (Radio Version) (3:42)
7		True Honey Buns (Dat Freak Sh*t) (Instrumental) (3:40)

Mediafire Link

The Pharcyde - Passin Me By 12"

1		Passin' Me By (Video Remix) (5:02)
2		Passin' Me By (Video Instrumental) (5:02)
3		Passin' Me (Acapella) (4:40)
4		Pork (OG Version) (6:03)
5		Pork (Cosby Edit) (6:01)
6		Pork (Instrumental) (4:22)

Mediafire Link

Junior M.A.F.I.A. - Gettin Money (Remix) 12"

1		Gettin' Money (The Get Money Remix) (Radio Edit) (3:59)
2		Gettin' Money (The Get Money Remix) (Dirty Version) (4:09)
3		Get Money (Original Version) (4:34)
4		White Chalk (Original Version) (4:40)
5		White Chalk (Dirty Version) (4:40)
6		Get Money (Original Instrumental) (4:34)

Mediafire Link

Michael Jackson - Off The Wall

1		Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (6:02)
2		Rock With You (3:38)
3		Working Day And Night (5:12)
4		Get On The Floor (4:44)
5		Off The Wall (4:04)
6		Girlfriend (3:04)
7		She's Out Of My Life (3:36)
8		I Can't Help It (4:27)
9		It's The Falling In Love (3:45)
10		Burn This Disco Out (3:38)

Two Links in this Case:

Wikipedia Link (Learn More about The Album)

&

Amazon Link (For the Love of Goodness, Buying the Album is one form of Paying Respects)

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If the Right
Hope, You get to the Light

and RIP to Steve "AIR" McNair. Him and Eddie George were the role models I found that young African-Amerincans could folllow from.

"They Reminisce Over You"

2009-06-25T18:30:00.003-04:00

Rest In Peace Michael Jackson

There will never be another!!!

Prayers go out to his family and million of fans and hopefully you find peace in eternity!!!

(I would continue but I am just breaking down in doing this writing)

"Treat for the Net"

2009-06-18T12:52:00.003-04:00

So I have emerged from hiding in the internet to bring to you what the title of this post is. I saw that DJ Baby Yu did this dope mixtape on Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G. and I could only find the mp3 posted on the net, but not as a download. Well, I figured why not flip it into a download for the masses since it is almsot 120 minutes (DAMNN) and it would you want to listen to it on you music player. So here is it is for the masses and throw down for a nice bloggee, Bloggers know the steelo this blog *At Times* can be unbelievable!!!!

Tracklisting:

1. Diddy Introduction

2. Bob Marley - Johnny Was

3. The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Bob Marley - Hold Your Head

4. The Notorious B.I.G. - Dead Wrong

5. Al Green - I’m Glad You’re Mine

6. The Isley Brothers - Between The Sheets

7. The Notorious B.I.G. - Big Poppa

8. Supercat feat. The Notorious B.I.G. - Dolly My Baby (Remix)

9. Herbie Hancock - Watermelon Man

10. The Notorious B.I.G. - Me And My Bitch (Live)

11. Zapp & Roger - Computer Love

12. Isaac Hayes - Walk On By

13. The Notorious B.I.G. - Warning

14. Edgar Winter - Dying To Live

15. The Notorious B.I.G. & 2 Pac - Runnin’

16. Diana Ross - Missing You

17. The Notorious B.I.G. feat. 112 - Miss U

18. The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Method Man - The What

19. Junior M.A.F.I.A. feat. The Notorious B.I.G. - Player’s Anthem (Remix)

20. Minnie Riperton - Memory Lane

21. Junior M.A.F.I.A. feat. The Notorious B.I.G. - Get Money

22. Sylvia Striplin - You Cant Turn Me Away

23. The Notorious B.I.G. feat. R. Kelly - Loving You Tonight

24. The Notorious B.I.G. feat. 112 - Sky’s The Limit

25. Bobby Caldwell - My Flame

26. DeBarge - Stay With Me

27. The Notorious B.I.G. - One More Chance

28. Lou Donaldson - Who’s Making Love

29. Craig Mack feat. The Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J & Rampage - Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)

30. Les McCann - Valantra

31. The Notorious B.I.G. - Ten Crack Commandments

32. The Honey Drippers vs. R. Kelly - Impeach The President with My Body

33. The Notorious B.I.G. - Unbelievable

34. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You

35. The Notorious B.I.G. - Kick In The Door

36. The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Diddy & Busta Rhymes - Victory

37. Bill Conti - Going The Distance

38. Black Heat - Something Extra

39. Lords Of The Underground - Chief Rocka

40. The Notorious B.I.G. - Machine Gun Funk

41. David Porter - The Masquerade Is Over

42. The Notorious B.I.G. - Who Shot Ya?

43. The Notorious B.I.G. - I Got A Story To Tell

44. Lil’ Kim - Crush On You

45. Jeff Lorber Fusion - Rain Dance

46. The Notorious B.I.G. - Gimme The Loot

47. James Brown - Coldblooded

48. James Brown - Blues & Pants

49. The Notorious B.I.G. - I’m Jus Playin’

50. Betty Wright - Clean Up Woman

51. Mary J. Blige feat. The Notorious B.I.G. - Real Love

52. Total feat. The Notorious B.I.G. - Can’t You See

53. James Brown - The Payback

54. Mtume - Juicy Fruit

55. The Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy

56. The Notorious B.I.G. - Hypnotize

57. Herb Alpert - Rise

58. Jay-Z feat. The Notorious B.I.G. - Brooklyn’s Finest

59. Ohio Players - Ecstacy

60. The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Luke - Big Booty Hoes

61. Idris Muhammed - Crab Apple

62. Puff Daddy & The Family - It’s All About The Benjamins

63. The Jackson 5 - It’s Great To Be Here

64. Last Poets - When The Revolution Comes

65. The Notorious B.I.G. - Party & Bullshit

66. Deodato - Skatin’

67. The Notorious B.I.G. - Nasty Boy

68. Diana Ross - I’m Coming Out

69. The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase - Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems

70. The Notorious B.I.G. - Going Back To Cali

71. Zapp & Roger - More Bounce To The Ounce

72. Diddy Outro

DJ Baby Yu & Biggie
A Tribute To The Greatest Rapper of All Time - The Mixtape

"John Q's Top 50 Albums"

2009-05-29T15:00:00.007-04:00

"Where you been?" I would answer that question with a rhetorical answer. And that's my explaination, so let's keep business as usual up in this piece (EPMDDDDDD).

This post was formulated from Vincent's Thimk (ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO VOYAGE ON THE BLOG-E-VERSE). He posted his top 50 and I found it very interesting and I responded to his post stating that I would at least do my own post. So here we are, blah blah blah...forgot how the song went.

Anyways, lets see what this cat feels is his top 50 list and it, and it BEGINS!!!!!!!!!!!

*Sidenote: This list is not definitive, people (Or is It!!!)!!!

1. A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders
I first heard this album when in the teens. I was just floored by everything on this album. This being the first Tribe album I picked up, it is naturally my favorite from the crew. Very few albums on this list (possibly three to four at best) has left such a great impact on my progression into become a reliable and mature person. This album has it all there for anyone's interest that range from such topics as sex, violence, self-respect, and what it is to be a young black man. I first "Award Tour" and was taken back by how fun it sounded, while at the same time self conscious. But, It was "Electric Relaxation" tha truly caught my attention to where I played this song at least 500 times a month (YEP!!). This song is just...throwing game at it's best. This album solidfied it's place as numero uno with the ssong this blog owns it is due to: "Lyrics to Go" is probably my favorite song from the crew and maybe even my favorite song period. How they flipped the Legendary (She deserves Mad Props) Minnie Riperton's "Inside My Love" into this was ingenious and after this song (and album in general), I feel that this is the best hip-hop album I have ever heard. Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, & sometimes Jarobi, reached their zenith with this album (IMO) and I can not see anything else in Hip Hop that has topped it (I did not say at least match a few albums in the list illustrate). So enjoy or hate, hate, hate @ Chappelle Show's Hater's Ball on the John Q's Top 50 albums (Wow, It actually is fitedy! Pat's John on the back and Q on the front???!!!!)

2. Nas - Illmatic
3. The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready To Die
4. Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back
5. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory
6. Eric B. & Rakim - Paid In Full
7. Dr. Dre - The Chronic
8. Mobb Deep - The Infamous
9. Black Moon - Enta Da Stage
10. Camp Lo - Uptown Saturday Night
11. Slick Rick - The Great Adventures of Slick Rick
12. NWA - Straight Outta Compton
13. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
14. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - Mecca & The Soul Brother
15. The Pharycde - Bizzare Ride To The Pharcyde
16. Gang Starr- Daily Operation
17. The Roots - Illadelph Halflife
18. GZA - Liquid Swords
19. Raekwon - Only Built 4 A Cuban Linx...
20. De La Soul - Stakes Is High
21. Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded
22. LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out
23. Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
24. EPMD - Strictly Buisness
25. Outkast - Aquemini
26. Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt
27. Blackstar - Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Blackstar
28. Digable Planets - Blowout Comb
29. De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising/De La Soul Is Dead (I know I'm cheatin, but come on)
30. Common - Like Water for Chocolate
31. O.C . - Word...Life
32. Jeru The Damaja - The Sun Rises in the East
33. Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele
34. Snoop Doggy Dog - Doggystyle
35. Ice Cube - Amerikka's Most Wanted
36. Bush Babees - Gravity
37. A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and The Paths of Rhythm
38. Public Enemy - Fear of A Black Planet
39. Run-DMC - Raising Hell
40. Outkast - Atliens
41. Big Daddy Kane - Long Live The Kane
42. Ultramagnetic - Critical Beatdown
43. Gang Starr - Hard To Earn
44. Tupac - Me Against The World
45. Redman - Whut??? Thee Album
46. Eric B. & Rakim - Follow The Leader
47. Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill
48. The Roots - Do You Want More?!!!??!
49. Mos Def - Black on Both Sides
50. Brand Nubian - One For All

"15 Years Ago Toady...."

2009-04-19T10:20:00.004-04:00

Perfection was achieved in Hip-Hop!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Stretch & Bobbito Vol. I"

2009-04-03T17:00:00.003-04:00

I drop by tadoy to drop some treats on the masses (not really, but Q likes the phrase). I guess from the title of post you know where I am going, BUT YOU DON't (or-how-you-doing-do-you???!!!!)

Anyways, I know that last paragraph was not even three sentences but again, I could gives a *Heavy D's "Don't Curse" plays*. So let's see what i got from digging on the internet, besides a preview to that new wolvernie movie *OOOH, OOOH, IT'S LIKE I KEEP GOING*. So let's just get this party started like the bankruptcy proceedings of Dame Dash (Alright, that's enough...until the nxet time).

Oh Yeah, Welcome into the Building *Someone responds: But It's the Internet* *John Q squashes that correction fool* WELCOME TO THE BUILDING:

STRETCH ARMSTRONG AND BOBBITO!!!!!!! (As the kids-who-are-now-adults-growing-up-listening-to-this-show would say). There history is forever and no need for backstory cause if you don't know, then you lost (You win someday...but not today).

Now back to our reguarly scheduled program....

Stretch and Bobbito June '95 Show
This is a pretty dope show they had with AZ dropping by to keep a verse or two. AZ's album was just dropping around this time and se he kicks a "One, Two, One, Two" and it's on like DARKNESS. There is a Mobb Deep track that was redone as "Q-U-Hetic" and some Wu people may not have heard of. Throw in a Rakim track most cats may not of heard of and a crazy KRS joint and a dope mix is born (awhhhh). There is also a nice mix of Junior Mafia's "Player's Anthem", so enjoy or get the "F" out the cold.

Side A:

Mobb Deep - The Start of Your Ending
Finsta Bundy - Bomb Shit
Method Man - The Riddler
KRS - One - Ah Yeah (remix)
Mobb Deep - Temperature's Risin'
AZ - Rather Unique
Grand Puba - Little of This
L Swift - How it's Goin' Down
Mic Geronimo - Masta I.C

Side B:

Heltah Skeltah - Let the Madness Begin
Rakim - I Get Visual
Mic Break
Raekwon - Criminology
Mobb Deep - About to Get Hectic
Mad Skills - Skills in '95
Inspectah Deck (Wu tang Clan) - Let Me At Them
Notorious B.I.G - Wickedest
Junior Mafia - Player's Anthem
AZ - Sugar Hill
AZ Freestyle

*Props to Dirty Waters for posting these joints*

Strecth and Bobbtio Lounging with Lowoah
Camp Lo stopped by the place a couple of times and they came throguh representating what they be about. Sonny Cheeba throws rhymes from the Uptown Saturday Night LP *pauses for a moment over the greatness of the album* and so does Geechi Suede, but they do give a little freestyling, so task completed.

Camp Lo Freestyles:

1. Camp Lo Freestyles over Special Ed's "I Got It Made"
2. Camp Lo Freestlyes over Group Home's "Livin Proof"

*Props to Dirty Waters for second freestyle*

Strecth and Bobbtio Chillin with the Bush Babees in '96 and Q-Tip and Mad Skillz in '94 or '95
This is all for today as I got to go back to unemployment (you know they had a parade for this? Wonder whose job it was organize it? GET IT *Dead Silence*). Any, two treats to drop ons yous tudays with a Native Tongue Vibe. First up, Tip and Mad Skillz (now Skillz) come with thier freestyles, although SKillz shines brightest with his opening freestyle (Give him good beats and.... Dreamers can dream as well), but Tip does go in as only Tip can, so very entertaining. The second freestyle comes from the Bush Babees where their classic (YES, CLASSIC) second LP "Gravity" seems to have dropped and they do promotion for it. Y-Tee drops some rhymes from the album and gives notice to 2Pac's untimely passing (jokes about him still living does hurt his legacy *True, True*) and Lee Majors TEARS SH*T UP. I mean just listen to his opening bars and seriously, how did that not make the album. Actually, why were they dropped after this album? Anybody? Oh well, at least they went out on top *Gravity, Gravity...*

Q-Tip and Mad Skillz '94 (or '95) Freestyle

&

Bush Babees '96 Freestyle

"It's Fantastic"

2009-03-03T15:00:00.002-05:00

ManYEEEE, What a vacation (it's not over, the DJ just put eletric slide and I can slide like water does ice??!!!) So, where has John Q been? I don't know and I don't give a damn. All I know is that he said he miss the blogging masses like pancakes loves molassess (you know how it be getting all...)

Anywho, let's get back into the flow of things with a post for that will be great. Today's Guest hail from The "D." You Know, the place where if you even think about disrespect they will jump yous and leave on the corner standing in your birthday suit. Well this or just snatch goofy a*s chain *Says HI to Artist everyone likes to pick on (although, to be real, he brings lot of his issues on himself (Artisit says to officer "I am artisit, sir" and you wonder why SANGERS want to slap you)). Sorry for falling off the wagon, I just going to Blame it on th Ah-Ah-Ah-Alcohol (That video gets award of the year- Ron Howard in Ya crew??!!! Ring the *Super Punch-Out* Bell, it's over* Fool says *It never started* Q *RING THE BELL, SEE THAT'S WHY YOU CAUGHT L'S FROM LEFT AND RIGHT*).

Okay-like-Yesterday, I took care of these issues and no more outburst till the next sentence. SO GUESS WHO DROPPED BY Q's AREA, TODAY (See, what I said previously for explanation). They are a three man crew with a producer that left way before his time, but was still able to leave us with so many musical goods. Who is it I am... aw forget, it if you figure it out by now, you got issues (and this coming from John and Q). Hailing from Conant Garden, Detroit where the Slums are given props:

Slum Village! (said In children and all the cats in the "D" voices). Their Backstory I will get into because, by now, you know the routine (or do you??? If not just dial "5" to speak a representative of Lyrics to Go and someone will get back to you at a later time). Slum Village was orginally comprised of T3, Baatin Washool Wajeed (full MC Name, for reals), and Jay Dee. Oh Jay Dee, what a vital role you would play to YOUR GROUP'S SUCCESS!!! These three cats went to the same high school and would usually hang out in the basement of, assuming with 99.9 percent confidence, I am not the friend (YESS!!, I want to thank the errrrbody and the you the viewer for watching our show).

OKay, but seriously, they would hang out a Jay Dee's basement and just freestyle to beats Jay would make for fun, you know. Then, they started to get light bulbs above their heads and, what do know, a group was born. I would say there group formed the day they heard Butter from A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory (Never heard of this album, well than I guess... TO HECK WITH YOU). Alright, getting back to the main show, Slum Village formed in 1992, and it took them forever to get noticed. But then a funny thing would happen. Jay Dee would....

Gain notice for the beats he made. To be pacific-like-a ocean-that-leans-west, Jay Dee would come to meet Amp Fiddler, and he would be blown away by the beats Jay would make with such simple material. He started to get Jay involved in the industry and eventually Jay would come to meet a gentlemen who go by the name, Q-Tip (said in Midnight Marauders voice). Tip just dug Jay's beats and Jay took the opportunity to try to push his group to Tip to spread the word about his crew. Tip dug the beats,buttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt did not really dig the lyricist (Funny, this type of criticism, could never stick with this group, could it??!!).

So Tip decided to take Jay under his wing and act like a psuedo-manager for him and invite to join the Tribe..... as producer in a new group with Ali Shaheed Muhammad (said in Midnight Marauders voice) that came to be known as the Ummah. How does this relate to SV (Nicknames are funKneeee), you ask? Simple, just let me get to the answer (I sorry, a cat just *sobs* just gets confused). Jay Dee, under the Ummah tent, would gain recognition (not proper, though (looks a Janet Jackson and her production team direction)) for his otherworldly production and would soon get to work with the likes of the Legendary Roots Crew, Erykah Badu, become best friends with Common, gets cool with D'Angelo, and flip apples like oranges (there is proof to people saying "J Dilla Changed My Life" claims).

Since Jay Dee gets some type of recognition for his talents, His group SV finally gets due with being able to put up an album to display their talents (isn't that all albums, you ask? yes, but a lot albums show a lack of said talent *OOOHH, OOOH*). Actually, SV did make an album of sorts that came to be known as "Fan-tas-tic, Vol. 1" and people went Bat-Sh.. crazy over it (well those who heard it, anyway) and the album caused a storm in the underground scene during the late 90's, only intensifying the demands for a proper release. Vol. 1 would not get a proper release until 2005 (MF a record company, for reals) and SV would attempt to reach the demands of the people with a follow-up to their demo album.

Fantastic, Vol. 2 (without the hyphens, WHYYY???? (Loved Kenan and Kel, but why one soars while the other watches (wow, that sounds cold like the weather in the Northeast of US today)) was released in 2000 (New Millinieum of... wait that was till the next year *sneaks out sentence in shame*). The album was met with praise for the flow of it and after the album... Jay parted ways with the group. They was still cool (which how most break-ups should be) and at least Vol. 2 was the swan song for this incarnation of the group (cause you know Baatin would leave and Elzhi (One of the best rappers you should have heard of by now) would come into the scene and today it remains this way, until.... Baatin would come back to join group on 2-Double-09 and they are thinking of adding Jay's younger brother, Illa J, to bring back those feelings the days when they could just chill and freestyle all day long (What a run-on, but who corrects grammar on blogs??).

Hmm... what an overview and I did not really discuss the album *Hi-Fives John and Q because this not possible without them*
Guy Fawkes: John you forgot about me??!!
John: What, How I am going to forget this Guy??!!
Guy Fawkes: Yeah, Just give me this MF Keyboard (grabs like it's 92 riots)
Guy Fawkes: Cool. John, you told your story, and now, I will tell mine (Mystery of Doom (skit) instrumental plays in background (Is this the only song that plays in background?))
(Why not just condense Guy's lines to one, instead of repeating his name twice, you ask? CAUSE IT'S JOHNS BLOG (Fat Albert and the Junkyard Gang cheer in the Back))

Here is Guy Fawkes' Review Intro:
How do you introduce Slum Village? That question has been bugging me for the last hour or so. They are a group like no other, that harbors influences from countless places. The group was spearheaded by arguably the greatest producer of all time. There aren't enough words to describe what J Dilla bought to Slum Village. Very rarely does a producer overshadow the other members of the group (Primo and Pete Rock are examples). Needless to say, Jay Dee is held in very high regard (partly because of his untimely passing, but also because of the amazing work he's done). Alongside Jay were Baatin and T3, less-known but still cornerstones of the group.
*Ten useless biographical sentences later*
And that's the story of Slum Village. Now it's time for Fantastic Vol.2, hit it!

1. Intro
John's Take
SIMPLE!!! This is all that comes to mind with this intro. I would have much preferred the intro from Vol. 1, but to each his own. You Know what, it amazes me the best lyrics would be found here (I Kid, I Kid). Um...Yeah (Do Like the Phife sample at the end, though).
Guy's Take
For once I can actually applaud the intro. Although it's kind of ignorant for me to assume that Slum Village would make an average rap album intro. I love the last 7 seconds of this track too.

2. Conant Gardens
John's Take
WELCOME TO THE "D"!!! Here we got SV kicking rhymes about where they hail from. The lyrics may hold your attention, or not, but the beat is little banging, so it got that going for it. WHAT the "F" is Baatin on spiting his rhymes. These are the lyrical styles the crew will progress with for the rest of this "FANTASTIC" journey, so please buckle up and keep hands and feet in the vehicle at all times or we will toss you ignorant a*s out. Thank you for corresponding.
Guy's Take
An ode to where the crew grew up. The title is anyway, the lyrics are more reminiscent of braggadocio hip-hop where they effortlessly ride the instrumental while kicking some dope rhymes.

3. I Don't Know (feat. DJ Jazzy Jeff)
John's Take
KICK IT!!! Jay provides a thumping backdrop for the crew to spit over and they spit over it (literally and figuratively). You kinda of the get the feeling they heard the beat and just stream of conscious it. Good to know Dee-Jay-from-Street Fighter (SFIV BANGS) Jazzy Jeff remove himself for waiting for the Fresh Prince to get back in touch with him after he was tossed out the mansion and provide a couple of scratches. Any Jazzy Jeff appearances gets you +1.
Guy's Take
I don't know why I wasted my time with this track. Baatin and T3 took a capable instrumental and turned it into a snoozer. Next!
(Sorta Agree)

4. Jealousy
John's Take
GETTIN THERE!!! Jay Dee provides good arena for the crew, with a phone dialing kinda of feel to the track (the outro only adds to this point) and they stay around the point of this track to provide decent lyrics. They entertain here and there with there insights on jealous fools and Jay's verse is pretty funny. All in all, not bad, but this track really sets you up for....
Guy's Take
Sounds like Jurassic 5 with the choppy flow and the subject matter. This song isn't going to change anyone's life, in fact I can't even imagine anyone remembering this song after hearing it. So, it was a delete for me.

5. Climax (Girl Sh*t)
John's Take
FINALLY!!! This is probably one the best songs Jay ever produced and the crew does a heck of job doing service to the track. The production mixes in Al B. Sure's "Nite and Day" with some Steve Miller Band "Fly Like An Eagle" space loop to give you an airy background to just dream about for the rest of your day (at least to me and Q). Jay lyrics comes straight out about what he is feening (who still uses this word) for with Baatin and T3 following suit. They do entertain with the verses and they actually fit the mood of the track. Trivia, for that a*s: The woman on the hook is Baatin lil sis. Thanks for playing "TRIVIA I DID NOT ASK FOR". I am you Host John H. Q and good night(Children's Story plays for outro to the show)!!!
Guy's Take
A very soft-spoken track, emitting the warmth only an average R&B tinged J Dilla track can bring. This track bears a very striking likeness to The Tribe Best Known As Quest. Although retaining the qualities that make Slum Village such a well-respected group.

6. Hold Tight (feat. Q-Tip)
Johns's Take
AMAZING!!! This is all that comes to mind when the track hits the eardrum. Only fitting that Q-Tip is on the track to accompany a phrase like that. The production, courtesy of Jay Dee, is just banging. How he flips KC and The Sunshine Band into this is beyond belief. What a backdrop provided for the MC's to operate in. They all do justice to the beat, although, I am in agreement with what Guy will hit up on about Q-Tip. Jay and Baatin verses stick out more from T3's, in me opinion, but the point of this song: Hold Tight. One of the funny notes about this song is Tip's verse can be interpreted as his own track #17 from Ready to Die. Just saying.....
*Sidenote: T3 kinda echoes the views I had about Tip's verse by saying:
I think Q-Tip wasn’t feelin' his whole situation at the time and when we went in to make that song that was waaaay unexpected. We went to New York and we was just going get a verse from him and he just surprised everyone with that. And you know man, that was a gift and a curse, more of a curse than a gift, ’cause niggas kept comparing us to Tribe Called Quest. And although we were affiliated and those were our people, our lyrical content was nothing like theirs. We always had a street edge, a metaphysical edge and the nigga-in-between edge. It was nothing like them, but when New York cats heard that, some frowned up real tough on us, and that kind of hurt us in a sense. If they never compared us to Tribe, I felt like things would have been a little smoother. And it was at that time, once Dilla put his heart and soul into Vol. 2, that’s when he decided he couldn’t deal with the whole Slum Village thing no more because he felt like he had too many demons around it.
Guy's Take
Another chill, mellow, laid-back track. Although it's somewhat of an aberration as all of Slum's tracks can be described as chill and mellow. This is one of the better Dilla instrumentals off the whole album, as such I would have preferred less features. Q-Tip's verse is nice, but it starts to trail off from there (said in a diminishing voice).

7. Tell Me (fea.t D'Angelo)
John's Take
FUNKY!!! This track has a eye to direction D'Angelo would take with his second album (BOTH HIS ALBUMS ARE CLASSICS). Jay provide as a funky backdrop for D just to croon over and he does service. Baatin hits up the track like he is spittin game with a cool verse and Jay and T3 bring their own flavor (Pause) to the track. This track is reminiscenet of the track to places back, and people, that be's a good thang (Talking slang like I am chairman of the RNC).
Guy's Take
I could do without the weak hook and the strange interlude-esque conversations at the end of the tracks. Once again this song starts off well, it even holds up well till about the halfway mark when the lyrics crash like a house of cards. This Dilla beat is something else though I tell you... Baatin and T3 should still be counting their blessings.
*JohnQ: Agree's whole-divided-by-half-heartedly

8. What's It All About (feat. Busta Rhymes)
John's Take
RADIO JAM!!! This song has that sort of throwback feeling and take that for what it is. The beat is something that could play in neighborhoods as kids play outside and people have fun in that summer mood. The sample for the track interests Q, but Jay Dee does his thing with bumping beat and the lyrics to do service. Although to be fair, The fact that Busta-bus has easily the best verse out of everyone does not bode well for said crew. Man, what was Baatin on recording his verse. Anyway, all in all, it's a RADIO JAM. Confused, here the song and you will hear (Sips cup of Kool-Aid while petting kitten in Dr. No manner while smiling).
Guy's Take
I wish I had something good to say about Busta's verse, or even as an artist in general (Arab Money? That's what your career has come to?). Alas, I'll leave that topic relatively untouched. Another dope beat, interesting sample for the hook, I was feeling this track all in all.

9. Forth and Back (feat. Kurupt)

John's Take

OKAY, BUT..!!!! This is not as good as the original. F-It, I say they should have left the the one that was recorded on Vol. 1, but things happen and NOOOOO, LEAVE FORTH AND BACK (FROM VOL. 1) ALLOOONE!!! This is not bad but just seems a little subded. Jay's beat is pretty cool but, the MC's do not take full advantage of the song. And seriously, was someone looking for them and they had to some whispering sh.. just so they would not be found out, but Kurupt recorded his verse another day would woul explain why he is the loudest cat (or Dogg, yeah) on the track. Fo reals, they could have done more with this!!!

Guy' Take

Nah, wasn't really feeling this one at all. Even the instrumental was pretty weak here. Next.

10. Untitled/Fantastic
John's Take
BEAUTIFUL SERENTIY THAT'S JUST FANTASTIC!!! What a beat. Jay must have been looking to the clouds one day and witness the beauty of the nature tha surrounded him and decide to makes what surrounded him heard. This beat has a tranquility that can't be touched and it is fitting in title. T3's verse is kinda of a throwaway, but Jay's, and espeically Baatin's, verses holds down fort for the track. These is no real message to the track, which make it great when you think about the lyricist themselves, and eventually leads to an interlude of the ride. How many people still aboard this journey??!!!
Guy's Take
And we're back on track. This song has always mystified me, something so ethereal about this instrumental, and for once I can one up the MC's. They did their thing on this here beat. Possibly the best song on the album, so you already know how I feel about it

11. Fall-N-Love
John's Take
LOVE TO HEED BY!!! This track has always intrigued me. Maybe it's the fact that Jay is on the hook or the fact the T3 brings probablyone of his best verses on this track for the album. Jay;s beat is has space for others to move around with and the message of the track is much needed for today. Preety Chill track, and that's all I got!!!
Guy's Take
I honestly prefer the last minute and a half to the beginning of the track. The musical backdrop is something amazing, and the hook is haunting. I don't know what the last 30 or so seconds were about, I'm sure they tied into this recurring plot at the end of every song, but it really detached from the track's overall value.
*John Q: Interesting Point-like-sunshine-of-view*

12. Get Dis Money
John's Take
COOOLL (Said In Cheetos Cheetah's Voice)!!!! This is one of the best tracks on the album. Jay flips Herbie Hancock's "Come Running To Me" and just creates a backdrop that is just for those days you jusy chilling out. Jay, T3, an Baatin lyrics don't really do justice to the track, but let's be real, the draw of this album is the beats and this beat, just hear and you will know that what I say is to get that money, money, money....
Sidenote: T3 said something interesting things about this track:
We would always hear stuff in progress, like for “Get Dis Money” there’s a lot of little intricate stuff in the background of that song that didn’t happen until the last two weeks before the album had to be turned in. A little singing here, a little sound effects and all that. The drum programming on “Get Dis Money” is a little off. Dilla didn’t like to use a metronome or whatever, so some would be slightly off beat, but on purpose. It’s just the way his ear was, crazy. What’s funny about “Get Dis Money” is that Baatin wrote three verses before we liked one, me and Dilla was being real hard on his rhyme. If you listen to Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, Baatin don’t talk about the topic at all. It ended up being like we was doing it on purpose, but originally it was not on purpose. Dilla was more upset than anybody about staying on topic. I think our fans have grown to love that about Baatin, but at the time it was frustrating. He would just talk about anything. The song is about getting money and the pursuit of it, a real simple concept, and Baatin would just start talking bout his family and then go over here and over there…you ain’t know where he’s going! Even with three verses, Dilla still took out a part of his rhyme on the final version, Dilla kind of faded him out on the end of that song.
Guy's Take
Personally, I don't think anyone should ever spit over this instrumental. And when they do spit over this memento, it should be something more than: "Hey, hey/ What you say/ Get dis money"... Comparable to letting Lil' Wayne freestyle over I Used To Love H.E.R. It's not a bad track at all though. Just that you'd expect Slum Village to dig deep and find lyrics and a hook worthy of this instrumental.

13. Raise It Up
John's Take
RAAISSEEE IT UPPPPPP (AKA THE HULK'S WORKOUT SONG)!!!! What a peculiar song in general. For starters, the beat is just somethng you don't hear everyday with Jay flipping a Daft Punk song into this Wilding Out Joint. The verse from the MC's I guess have the MC's deciding to question the perceptions people hold of them. Disturbing hilariously verses from the SV crew over a just weird beat. Seems like something The Incredible Hulk would listen to before going to workout routine. Actaully, the Hulk told me "John, I just get down to this song and I need it before I SMASH UH... SMASH AND YOU KNOW WHAT, I really do not talk like that, but do it to keep up appearance fees, so where the party at and if I see a female I like, betty might need to make room in the reisdency (Hulk also took hard to the message of the Climax track (Go Figure)). The outro for this track leaves something to be desired, Damn why didn't they use that beat, The results could have been more something....
Guy's Take
Not really feeling any of it. Some hypocritical titles here!
*John Q: Isn't that the point the SV crew was trying make or are they just full-blown hypocrites???!!!*

14. Once A Upon A Time (feat. Pete Rock)
John's Take
DOPE!!!! This track is just a dope song to relax to . Jay Dee and Pete Rock hook up the beat that is reminicscent of Pete Rock & CL Smooth's "The Main Ingredient" with it's beach like vibes with the drums that can clap the ears. Nice use of Vocal samples throguhout the track and the MC's, Rock Included, do some service (was it volunteer) to the track. Reall,y one of the better tracks on the album.
Guy's Take
Pete Rock and Dilla together produce this beast of an instrumental. And the good folks over at Slum Village grace this track with some poignant lyricism. Thank you. And for once, the last part of the song isn't completely worthwhile-less.

15. Players
John's Take
MARVEL-AT-THIS-OUS!!! This here, ladies and G's-who-become-Gents, is a classic Slum Village track. SV spit some tough lyrics to cats who they feel need to put in their place and they are serious about what they say. Yet, the production of the track is what elevates to another level. See, the chorus, flipping the The Singer's Unlimited's "Claire", is just that. They never say Players in the song, but Dilla provides the illusion that they do (Guy touches up on this a little more later on). Man, This is the type of track that got Dilla his HOF Plaque in "Rap Producers Hall Of Fame. (True, True)."
Guy's Take
T3 actually did an interview with Fader, where he talked about this song. One of the things he mentioned is that the sample actually says Claire and not Players. But they say Players so much in the song, that's what you believe the sample is really saying. The song itself is amazing. A classic Slum Village cut. Also here's an quote about the motivation for the track:

People don’t know that was a battle song, only niggas in the D know that. We was actually talking ’bout some real niggas. We’re cool today, but it was actually (deceased rapper) Proof's group (5 Elementz). These niggas had just dropped they CD that Dilla did most of the beats for and they was just acting arrogant, walking around real tough and we got kind of offended by it. Once we started talking about it, Waajeed (from Platinum Pied Pipers) was like a hype man, like, “Man, they just put their shit out, where’s yours?” We went over to Dilla’s house and it was one a them nights where everything was clickin'. Two weeks later we came with Vol.1. They kind of inspired us by being so arrogant, so we made “Players” about them. They found out, I don’t know how…somebody told.

16. Eyes Up
John's Take
GROOVY FUNK!!! This is song is alright, but man the MC's could have done more with it on this track. Dilla provides a beat that seems like he took stright out of Blaxploitation flick (LOWOAH) and let's his crew dish rhymes over. It just feel as if there was more for this cats to do with this track, damn I had two quarters and I now I half-dollar-vibe for this track!!!
Guy's Take
After the song that preceded it, you're just expecting so much more than this insignificant babble. It's not a bad song, but Baatin and T3 are capable of so much more. Not bad, but definitely lackluster.

17. 2U4U
John's Take
NICE!!! This is one of those tracks that added to Jay's legend. See the sample he used for this track was D'Angelo's "Jonz In My Bonz" and D did not even realize it was hi own song until a couple of listens. He chops D's joint and creates a bouncy backdrop for him, and th rest of the crew, to so spit game over. I say that the orginal from Vol. 1 was slightly better and that was an instrumental (That came out wrong, this track is pretty good, but just hear the Vol. 1 track and his this and you will see what I am talking about).
Guy's Take

Slum Village's two lesser members ruin another good instrumental. They ain't sayin' nothing!
(Kinda Agree since it goes to the point I was making to the track *You were making a Point to a track, ewwww!!!*)

18. CB4
John's Take
OKAY???!!! Wow!!! You get the feeling that these cats were honry as some muthaf.... while making this track. Jay provides a cool backdrop, but what the heck are they spittin on. OH, you mean interfence in getting a Moinca Lewiniski, you say? Okay, then THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE. It seems that this should have been a bouns track and the bonuse track should have been an actual track (Damn, Did I give away the review for the bonus track?).
Guy's Take
No Chris Rock references to be found here. The hook has me scratching my head quite a bit. Are they chanting or what? One of the strangest things I've ever heard on wax. Blow-job interference? Cock-blockers? Very clever.As for the song itself, it's not really anything worth hearing.
*John Q: Funny to read, Guy, Funny to read*

19. Go Ladies
John's Take
GO LADIES, GO LADIES!!! Thanks for surviving the previous track to reach us hear. This is nice ditty to kinda end the album on. Jay Dee provides another one of his otherworldy beats and the instrumental overtakes the MC's, but it's all good. I guess the SV has this as an ode to ladies with each spitting game or touch up on female and her anatomy (YEahsSs). Then we hit the outro (Which should have been used an beat on this track) and we are out, or are we??!!
Guy's Take
There's no rapping to be found here. Some incoherent babbling in the first verse, and it never really gets much better. Another lacking effort over a very capable instrumental.

20. Thelenious (feat. Common)
John's Take
BANG!!! Man, this track hits you coming and continues in it's attack until it decides to leave in the perplexed disposition as to what just happened. The beat is just great with a 70's feeling to it with banging drums and airy bakcdrop for the MC's, and guest, to spit on. Actually, some of the best lines from the album are here with Jay and Common spiting hot fire like DYLON on Chappelle Show (why did you leave us???). All, in all, just a banging track and hope you had fun on this Fantastic Journey, Until the next, Peace Out, Homies.
Guy's Take
Ironically, Slum Village treats listeners to a top-quality send off. Superior to most of the album
and definitely a song you should check out.

Final Thoughts:
John's Take
Slum Village are an engima in Hip-Hop's-It's-Complicated-Universe. They are not the greatest MC's you will hear (or even averageyest at times). Yet, the beats on the album are some of the best you may ever hear. Even with that said, I will say that Fantastic Vols. ! & 2 are classics (meet me in an alley for disagreements about me statement) and credit for this is due mainly to Jay Dee aka J Dilla. Dilla marked his terrority with this, and other albums, he created through his lifetime. Sad that is is 3 years to his passing, but hopefully cats do there best in keeping his memory alive and it is good to see SV doing ther thing not only for themselves, but for Jay and Detroit as a whole. And in the end, this is the aim the crew from the outset of there careers, so at leeast they could obtain that goal.
Guy's Take

It's hard to really pass judgement on this album. Although the lyrical content was terrible (sorry John), the instrumentals were top-notch. This album reminded me of Group Home's Livin Proof'. Then again Slum Village was never known as amazing lyricists and Jay Dee, in fact most hip hop fans would be hard-pressed to name Baatin and T3 as the other members. So I can't say much about this album on a lyrical level, but an instrumental version of this album would be very well worth your time.
*Sidenote: Check-Out Questlove's review of this Album at Okayplayer. It is read, indeed.*

So without further ado, Slum Village's Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 2:

Mediafire Link (courtesy of Hot Hip Albums)

&

Amazon Link (Dig the sounds, Support what you like, cause it goes a long way)

A Little Sum-Something to Go Along With That:

Slum Village - Fan-Tas-Tic, Vol. 1 [Original Samples]:

Link Location

&

Slum Village - Fantastic, Vol. 2 [Original Samples]:

Link Location (Links Courtesy of L2G (For Vol. 1) and Kevin Nottingham (For Vol. 1 &2). Thanks to Kev for putting up the sets. Drop by his blog, it is Fresh (enough outdated slang)).

Slum Village - B-Sides, Rarities, and Other Ish from the Whole Recording Process Up Til Proper Album Release

Tracklisting:

80 Tracks + Beat Tape = R-YU-HADOKEN-diculous

Click Link to View Full List (Track #56 should be titled "Audiotrack #6")

&

Megaupload Link (for the actual set of music)

*Tracks with Bold In Parenthesis are in order they appear off the unreleased projects that accumulated over the years.*

(Courtesy of Lyrics to Go. This took forever to put together with pain-staking thought put into packaging this set. So appreciate this drop and try not to put the link on other website without giving credit where credit is due)

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is Right
Then Hold Tight

(Don't know when I'm going to come back, this post took a lot out of me. Might Drink "G"(still does not what the remotely even means)).

Please Leave a Comment (You Know I would appreciate that so much (it helps build blogging self-esteem)).

(R.I.P. Jay Dee AKA J Dilla. We miss you and you, like your music, is forever)

"Where In The World Is John Q"

2009-02-07T10:11:00.003-05:00

*He went the route of Cam'ron and will come at some unexplainable time to drop some goods on the masses.

But a Clue for you to ponder:

How do you find what never leaves

The place to look may be where the bell tells

Knowledge Regins Supreme in my Destination

Now the search beigns throughout the Blogger's nation?

"A Moment Eternal"

2009-01-20T15:25:00.001-05:00

A Picture says Thousands of Words

Congratulations, President Barack Obama

Who would have ever seen this day come so soon...

"The Dream Continues..."

2009-01-19T13:13:00.004-05:00

*Sidenote: Started as Response to Ivan's, of Hip Hop Is Read, post on Dr. King. Check It Out*

As I reflect on this day so many thoughts come to mind as to how far the country has progrssed since he told the world of his dream. In a fantastic moment, it's great that we celebrate MLK's Birthday the day before Obama's Inauguration. It gives us time to appreciate the grueling labor and struggle put in by previous generations to help us reach this moment. I think if Dr. king was alive today, He would be sastified (to a degree) with the direction our country is headed in, but he would still see room for more work to done. So while we celebrate Dr. King and the entire civils rights movement with the culmination of a African-American President, let's remember that we have come so far, but there is still so far we can go.

If this a dream, don't wake me up, because I want to last forever....

RE:Wind Back to Classic Period In Hip-Hop

2009-01-17T22:00:00.001-05:00

Thought I was not coming back to give you what you need *NO* Really? then you sound like this gal I'm trying to spit my game too (Details later (read: not likely) on if I gets where I needs to get with that situation). What was I talking about again, oh yeahs, Who can rock a party like a John Q party when no one attends, AGAIN, WHO CAN ROCK A PARTY LIKE A JOHN Q PARTY WHEN NO ONE ATTENDS. *NOW EVERYBODY*...

ANNIE-WHO (Said in Californa Governor Voice) *Sidenote: For Reals: Police Brutality never seems to amaze to one. On the real, RIP Oscar Grant and Justice will be served in your name and all those who suffer at the hands of unjust law enforcement* Let's no make this post today too long because I know you all will jump down the post to see what Q drops (John says: I do the same thing too, when Q is not looking). So now let's get up in a like a wedgie, says who, says me the Potserial..

Common Sense - Resurrection 12"
COMMON SENSE IS AT HIS BEST!!! Common Sense (or to the mainstream today, Common) shows an evolution Darwin would be amazed to discuss from his first album to his second album. Resurrection (the album) is a great work of art to this day and, let me just say it.... COMMON TEARS SH.T UP ON THIS ALBUM. Here is where we reach the title track of the album that was also released as a single. Resurrection shows Common Sense and No I.D. (Don't know him much, then you and Kanye can't hold a convosation) at their best. NO I.D. just laces up this banging track with a cool piano loop and crazy DJ scratch for Sense to operate on. Common just spits on what it is and showcases why he would develop into one of the all time greats. Man, after hearing his last album, If Basuzim did not get him, let's call it that Hollywood aura that traps you up and leads you from where you most familiar (read: best) with (Kanye Says: It got you too, Com?). I got to send Common a Message to get back the Sense and then make it and it will all be good. Resurrection is a dope song and it is not event the best song on the album. The track after it puts Common in the Hip Hop Hall of Fame.

Nas - The World is Yours 12"
TRAGICALLY BEAUTIFUL GIFT TO THE THE PEOPLE!!! Awwah the infamous Nasir Jones, or as he would be like to know Nas (or Nas Escobar, or Nasty Nas, or Nas The Villain or....), and this time of his life. Nas was a young cat back in the early.... To heck with this, you KNOW WHO NAS IS. Moving on to the main portion of this post, Nas released Illmatic in '94 and the world (let's say hip hop to be more secluded) would never be the same (at least mine's). What is Illmatic, you ask? Well, foolish individual, it is the greatest forty minutes in hip hop history (No, really, it is, just check the Urban Dictionary). One of the more well known tracks from the album was lucky enough to be released as a single. The World is Yours was written by Nasir and produce by the legendary Pete Rock. Pete Rock's production is just haunting and despair searching for hope (kinda Deep, huh). Rock flips Ahmad Jamal's "I Love Music" and Samples T La Rock's "It Yours" to give Nas a palette to paint his potrait upon. Nas delivers flawless lyrics on the bleak world that takes residence in and still through all the hardship of his life, he can still find the strength to tell anyone who listens that the world is yours. And they say hip hop has no message. To any youngster who reads this: Listen to Illmatic and then let's dicuss your views on hip-hop
*CAUTION: Listening to Illmatic, and album by next person in this post, may lead to a serious expainsion of thought and self. Proceed with CAUTION*

The Notorious B.IG. - Juicy 12"
SPREAD LOVE ITS THE BROOKLYN WAY!!! What More Can be said the Biggie than has already been said. By now you how the story goes, so lets keep the program the moving. The Notorious B.I.G. (Did anybody every call him by this name on the real) debuted to the public with this 12" and the world (for reals) would not be the same. Let's See, how do this go, oh yeah 2+2=5. Now getting back to the suybject at hand, Biggie released the song juicy to the masses (Puffy included) and the streets ate this up. Juciy wasBiggie intro to the mass at hand and he made it be known what it was. Juciy was produced by Puffy and his Hitmen *COUGH PETE ROCK COUGH* to allow Biggie to spit his thoughts on the record. The Story of this track is tha tBig was hesistant to jump on the record because he wanted the hardcore street sh.t, but Puff convinced him to do by saying *While Dancing his dance* "Yo Big, You do this joint and we can give you that hardcore street sh't for the B-Side so no ill feelin towards the track". Big agreeed and a hip-hop classic was born. Juciy is the tale of Big from rags-to-riches while still being the same cat you hang on the block with. Some of the tales in the song may be countereable, but umm... IT IS A SONG, DEALS WITH IT!!!! You Know I may be in minority on this track, but B-Side Ties Again. The B-Side, Unbelievable, is one of the best songs from Big and with Premo as the producer, how does this not go wrong. I will save the backstory to this ong for latter (Yeah), but just listen to this 12" because it is one of the best hip has ever had to offer. RIP King of New York
*PS: Saw Notorious and it was not half bad. Gravy did his thing and so did most of the other cast members. It did seem a little fast paced, but it's all good. At least they got the right cat to write the movie (Same cat who wrote Big's Biography). Not bad (from what I was expecting), Not Bad At All*

So Without Further ado, here is the RE:Wind Back to Classic Period In Hip-Hop

Common Sense - Resurrection 12"

1		Resurrection '95 (Clean) (4:00)
2		Resurrection (Extra P. Remix) (Clean) (4:09)
3		Resurrection (Large Professor Remix) (Clean) (4:06)
4		Resurrection '95 (Acapella Version) (3:20)
5		Resurrection '95 (Instrumental) (4:00)
6		Resurrection (Extra P. Instrumental) (4:12)
7		Resurrection (Large Professor Instrumental) (4:06)
8		Chapter 13 (Clean) (5:41)

Mediafire Link

Nas - The World Is Yours 12"

A1		The World Is Yours (4:51)
A2		The World Is Yours (Instrumental) (4:51)
B1		The World Is Yours (Tip Mix) (4:29)
B2		The World Is Yours (Tip Mix Instrumental) (4:30)

Mediafire Link

The Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy 12"

1		Juicy (Dirty Mix) (5:05)
2		Unbelievable (3:45)
3		Juicy (Remix) (4:42)
4		Juicy (Instrumental) (5:05)
5		Juicy (Remix Instrumental) (4:43)
6		Unbelievable (Instrumental) (3:45)

Mediafire Link

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q Moves On
*But Not For Long.... (Fades to Black)*

2009-01-02T14:00:00.001-05:00

How do you introduce Slum Village? That question has been bugging me for the last hour or so. They are a group like no other, that harbors influences from countless places. The group was spearheaded by arguably the greatest producer of all time. There aren't enough words to describe what J Dilla bought to Slum Village. Very rarely does a producer overshadow the other members of the group (Primo and Pete Rock are examples). Needless to say, Jay Dee is held in very high regard (partly because of his untimely passing, but also because of the amazing work he's done). Alongside Jay were Baatin and T3, less-known but still cornerstones of the group.
*Ten useless biographical sentences later*
And that's the story of Slum Village. Now it's time for Fantastic Vol.2, hit it!

1. Introduction
For once I can actually applaud the intro. Although it's kind of ignorant for me to assume that Slum Village would make an average rap album intro. I love the last 7 seconds of this track too.

2. Conant Gardens
An ode to where the crew grew up. The title is anyway, the lyrics are more reminiscent of braggadocio hip-hop where they effortlessly ride the instrumental while kicking some dope rhymes.

3. I Don't Know
I don't know why I wasted my time with this track. Baatin and T3 took a capable instrumental and turned it into a snoozer. Next!

4. Jealousy
Sounds like Jurassic 5 with the choppy flow and the subject matter. This song isn't going to change anyone's life, in fact I can't even imagine anyone remembering this song after hearing it. So, it was a delete for me.

5. Climax (Girl Shit)
A very soft-spoken track, emitting the warmth only an average R&B tinged J Dilla track can bring. This track bears a very striking likeness to The Tribe Best Known As Quest. Although retaining the qualities that make Slum Village such a well-respected group.

6. Hold Tight
Another chill, mellow, laid-back track. Although it's somewhat of an aberration as all of Slum's tracks can be described as chill and mellow. This is one of the better Dilla instrumentals off the whole album, as such I would have preferred less features. Q-Tip's verse is nice, but it starts to trail off from there (said in a diminishing voice).

7. Tell Me
I could do without the weak hook and the strange interlude-esque conversations at the end of the tracks. Once again this song starts off well, it even holds up well till about the halfway mark when the lyrics crash like a house of cards. This Dilla beat is something else though I tell you... Baatin and T3 should still be counting their blessings.

8. What It's All About
I wish I had something good to say about Busta's verse, or even as an artist in general (Arab Money? That's what your career has come to?). Alas, I'll leave that topic relatively untouched. Another dope beat, interesting sample for the hook, I was feeling this track all in all.

9. Forth And Back
Nah, wasn't really feeling this one at all. Even the instrumental was pretty weak here. Next.

10. Untitled/Fantastic
And we're back on track. This song has always mystified me, something so ethereal about this instrumental, and for once I can one up the MC's. They did their thing on this here beat. Possibly the best song on the album, so you already know how I feel about it.

11. Fall In Love
I honestly prefer the last minute and a half to the beginning of the track. The musical backdrop is something amazing, and the hook is haunting. I don't know what the last 30 or so seconds were about, I'm sure they tied into this recurring plot at the end of every song, but it really detached from the track's overall value.

12. Get Dis Money
Personally, I don't think anyone should ever spit over this instrumental. And when they do spit over this memento, it should be something more than: "Hey, hey/ What you say/ Get dis money"... Comparable to letting Lil' Wayne freestyle over I Used To Love H.E.R. It's not a bad track at all though. Just that you'd expect Slum Village to dig deep and find lyrics and a hook worthy of this instrumental.

13. Raise It Up
Not really feeling any of it. Some hypocritical titles here!

14. Once Upon A Time
Pete Rock and Dilla together produce this beast of an instrumental. And the good folks over at Slum Village grace this track with some poignant lyricism. Thank you. And for once, the last part of the song isn't completely worthwhile-less.

15. Players
T3 actually did an interview with Fader, where he talked about this song. One of the things he mentioned is that the sample actually says Claire and not Players. But they say Players so much in the song, that's what you believe the sample is really saying. The song itself is amazing. A classic Slum Village cut. Also here's an quote about the motivation for the track:

People don’t know that was a battle song, only niggas in the D know that. We was actually talking ’bout some real niggas. We’re cool today, but it was actually (deceased rapper) Proof's group (5 Elementz). These niggas had just dropped they CD that Dilla did most of the beats for and they was just acting arrogant, walking around real tough and we got kind of offended by it. Once we started talking about it, Waajeed (from Platinum Pied Pipers) was like a hype man, like, “Man, they just put their shit out, where’s yours?” We went over to Dilla’s house and it was one a them nights where everything was clickin'. Two weeks later we came with Vol.1. They kind of inspired us by being so arrogant, so we made “Players” about them. They found out, I don’t know how…somebody told.

16. Eyes Up

After the song that preceded it, you're just expecting so much more than this insignificant babble. It's not a bad song, but Baatin and T3 are capable of so much more. Not bad, but definitely lackluster.

17. 2U4U

Slum Village's two lesser members ruin another good instrumental. They ain't sayin' nothing!

18. CB4

No Chris Rock references to be found here. The hook has me scratching my head quite a bit. Are they chanting or what? One of the strangest things I've ever heard on wax. Blow-job interference? Cock-blockers? Very clever.As for the song itself, it's not really anything worth hearing.

19. Go Ladies

There's no rapping to be found here. Some incoherent babbling in the first verse, and it never really gets much better. Another lacking effort over a very capable instrumental.

20. Thelonius

Ironically, Slum Village treats listeners to a top-quality send off. Superior to most of the album and definitely a song you should check out.

"Good Night 2008"

2008-12-31T12:00:00.002-05:00

Well we are finally here!!! Can I get a "What you talking about"? *Crowd Response: Get Off the stage you bum* What? Excuse you, do you you not know that violence is never a must...unless it is a must. *Man, I don't car... what no...arghhhh* Another corn chopped by John Q's sword. Now where was I (or Him)? Oh yeah, this is the last post of the year *All hands go up in the air like people look like they give a damn (The town needed the Damn to block cursing).*

Anywho, This will be a short (or long, let's see how John feels today *Q: He does not look too well*, well then Q tell John that we about to party like is 19__ and if he does not shape up, then he will be...given a raise (I don't even make no Luchini)). Funny, You suppose that this post would be a 2-Double O-8 wrap up, but I already peeked at my New Year's Present, so forget about it (but I still rememeber that... *FORGET ABOUT THAT*.

Where am I going with this finale post of the year? I does not know and I am not sure John is fair (It's the middle of the week). You know, here is whats I am going to do. Since everybody, and the mamas mamas and baby mamas, have done a write up to end the year, John is going to flip like a newly opened pack of soap and preview what is to come in 2-Double O-9 (HINT: CHANGE)

I, along with Guy, will be doning some more review post album post because...um...it seems that is only time people actually drop by our never-ending party (unless it is Sunday, then the party takes a pause, but it can it be never-ending? Yes, because the party does not stop until it starts (Think I am giving up Sunny D or Kool-Aid, Well, then you are more delusional than Dallas Cowboy players (Sh*t, T.O. is cancer in the Dallas Cowboys breast, Dont ask me why Im motherf*ckin stressed, Things Done Changed (Listening to a lot of Reay to Die, lately (Goodness, Gracious, John Q hopes that Notorious Movis is decent).

So what elese can we expect in the 2-Double O-9, you know that same good stuff that makes you feel That John Q cat is not half bad (But am I half-good? (better than being half-sinbad...um..I mean half-sinner, yeah that's whats I means to talls yous peoples abouts)).

So, Here is what you can expect from the immediate future of Lyrics to Go (Said In Tip Manner):

12 Inch Drops of:

(See the Theme *No* Well, then Wait till the Ball Drops on the Post (Cleever, John, Cleever)).

&

Album Review (Aka Super Post) of:

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q Moves On

And oh yeah, what elese did I Forget about the 2-Why Two Zeros-9, Oh Yeah:

Like Sam Cooke (One of the Greatest Singers of all time) said, A Change is Gonna Come (And It Did)!!!

Welcome 2009, Could not get here soon enough!!!!

Slum Village - Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1 [The Samples]

2008-12-06T08:00:00.005-05:00

"This sh.. it's for.... It's Fantastic, neva test the "S", It's Fan-Tas-Tic" With These exerpts from the Opening Track from Slum Village's Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1, the masses were introduced to trio who had a sound unqiue to them at a time when that meant something. Staying on point (all the time Phife), Slum Village's debut album takes the listener into hold you down fort in the D (Conant Gardens, to be specific) and what goes down in Detriot. They Had the sound of what A Tribe Called Quest seemed to progressing towards (or looking for), but the subject matter had calling card common amongst Hip-Hop: Women, Wealth, and Breaking rules that have been there for quite some time. But the focus of this post is the other-wordly soundscape that these cats operate within. Credit for this soundscape is due to Jay Dee (AKA J Dilla), a young producer at the time who worked with Tribe and Pharcyde on there albums and would soon go on to reach the pantheons of Hip-Hop Pproducers (People, no easy feat for one attain). Jay Dee had a sound that so much soul with drums NOBODY could replicate and he seemed to create a new sound altogether that would have the hip-hop scene buzzing over Jay Dee and Slum Village with their unique sound. This album has a sparse, sort drown out sound drums that hit and the Dilla's production sounds as if they cut off the album in a sessions that could last for days. The samples on the album range from obsceure Soul tracks to the obvious to Jazz tracks that may raise your eye a bit or two.

Look, Dilla had beats to go (Umm... Pun Intended/Not Intended (Choice Is Yours)), so I hope you, the People, appreciate the set Kevin Nottingham of Kevin!Nottingham: This Is Real Hip Hop, and, I (proper english on the blog, now you seen it all), put together. Big Ups to Kevin for setting up the stuff to make this look so good. It was cool doing this sample set so without further ado, here is Slum Village - Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1 [The Samples]:

Slum Village - Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1

"You'll Know When You Get There" by Herbie Hancock
From the album Mwandishi (1971)
Sampled in "Fantastic"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Risin' To The Top" by Keni Burke
From the album Changes (1982)
Sampled in "Keep It On (This Beat)"
Produced by Jay Dee

“Snowflake Bop” by Gil Evans
From the album Live at Sweet Basil, Vol 1 (1984)
Sampled in “Keep It On (This Beat)”
Produced By Jay Dee

"Sex Machine" by James Brown
From the album Sex Machine (1970)
Sampled in "I Don't Know"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Make It Funky" by James Brown
From the album There It Is (1972)
Sampled in "I Don't Know"
Produced by Jay Dee

"My Thang" by James Brown
From the album Hell (1974)
Sampled in "I Don't Know"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Turn Off The Lights" by Larry Young
From the album Larry Young's Fuel (1975)
Sampled in "Fat Cat Song"
Produced by Jay Dee

"The Look of Love" by Barney Kessel
From the album Autumn Leaves (1968)
Sampled in "The Love of Love"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Inside My Love" by Trina Broussard
From the soundtrack Love Jones (1996)
Sampled in "The Love of Love"
Produced by Jay Dee

"T.T.T. (Twelve Tone Tune)" by Bill Evans
From the album Bill Evans Album (1971)
Sampled in Hoc N Pucky
Produced by Jay Dee

"Atomic Dog" by George Clinton
From the album Computer Games (1982)
Sampled in "Beej N Dem"
Produced by Jay Dee

“Friday The 13th” by Gil Evans
From the album Live at Sweet Basil, Vol 1 (1984)
Sampled in “Beej N Dem”
Produced by Jay Dee

"I Thought It Was You" by Herbie Hancock
From the album Sunlight (1978)
Sampled in "Forth & Back (Rock Music)"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Funkin 4 Jamaica" by Tom Browne
From the album Love Approach (1979)
Sampled in "Forth & Back (Rock Music)"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Age of Aquarius" by The Moog Machine
From the album Switched On Rock (1969)
Sampled in "Fantastic 3"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Yearning For Your Love" by The Gap Band
From the album The Gap Band III (1980)
Sampled in "5 Ela (Remix)"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Remind Me" by Patrice Rushen
From the album Straight From The Heart (1982)
Sampled in "5 Ela (Remix)"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Heartbreaker" by Zapp
From the album Zapp III (1980)
Sampled in "Give This Nigga"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Clair" by Singers Unlimited
From the album A Capella II (1974)
Sampled in "Players"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Inside My Love" by Minnie Ripperton
From the album Adventures in Paradise (1975)
Sampled in "Look of Love (Remix)"
Produced by Jay Dee

"A Chunk of Sugar" by Roger Troutman
From the album The Many Facets of Roger (1981)
Sampled in "Pregnant (Baatin)"
Produced by Jay Dee

"Sing Me Softly of The Blues" by Gary Burton Quartet
From the album Duster (1967)
Sampled in "Things U Do (Remix)"
Produced by Jay Dee

Rapidshare Link
*Up-to-Date Link with two tracks added and better quality. Thank Kevin for update to the set ands link*

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q Moves On

(R.I.P. Jay Dee AKA J Dilla. We miss you and you, like your music, is forever)

"Time For The Renaissance to Reawaken What's Living..."

2008-11-28T14:00:00.007-05:00

Good Day to the world (shouts this to his comupter screen). This must be some type of mirror-ac-cle. I actually following up on what something I said I would do. Who said "Bloggers blog with no responsiblty." Just look at the way I keeps up to date like an up-tad-ta-date to your Norton Anti-Virus (Umm.Yeah). So are you ready? *Yeah*, Naw, Naw I mean are You Ready *Yeah* No, ON THE BUGGED TIP, ARE YOU READY TO GET DOWN LIKE SOME AUTO-INSUSTRY CATS GEARING UP TO BEG TO CONGRESS FOR MORE LUICHINI TO BE BAILED-OUT *YEA..WHAT??!!!*

Excuse me, for that last sentence. It happens when you read so many quotes from 'Ye (Seriously, though, No rap in the residence??!!!, So when your first three CD's come into the Ipod shuffle, you probably still...listen...to..it because???!!!, Damnit, Yous Kanye "The True God's Son" West and your the best manye (no for real, you released the albums that were top-notch, feel good about and don't let it get to your hea.. uh nevermind)!!!!). Anywho, let's get into, NO, I mean LET's GET INTO (sounds good when you say it this way) the subject matter of today's post. Today's blog post subject is a cat who straight up redifined what it meant to be and MC and Producer (Looks in certain MC/Producers direction with a eye that does no have a pleasent odor who should follow this cat's lead). He is 1/3 of, arguably, the best hip-hop group of all time. Plus, without him (and his fellow group members), the world would not have "Lyrics to Go (said in same manner off Midnight Marauders Album)." I guess that, with the title of the post is all that needs to be said. So without further ado let's get into today's guest. Hailing from Queens, NY, The legendary and only other definition to question "What Utensil is used to clean the ears (said in Alex Trebek voice)":

Q-Tip (said In children and (for the kids who grew on his music, that are now) adults voice). His backstory should be pretty well known (at least to the people who visit this place, if anyone still does??!!!), but I still get into it with not much detail (because let's be real, how do you not know Tip??!!). Q-Tip was born in Harlem, New York, but, but, but he was raised in Queens, New York. To be Pacific-Like-the-River...I mean Ocean (yeah, that's what John meant), he was raised on Linden Boulevard (Still Checking the Rhime, but sentence doesn't(huh)). Growing up on this place, he met many people and even met his best friend on Linden. Let's say him to be known as Phife Dawg (would say government name, but this is Hip-Hop (yeah, I know that does not mean a damn thing). These two cats grew up as Hip-Hop was coming into popularity and they believed that "what the heaven" let's jump into this thang called "Rap".

*Sidenote: I am not going to get into the Tribe's History in this post until a future post because I got's to focus on the subject of this post*. Tip and Phife said why not form a Rap group. This was after the met when to a business school and met up with another cat interested in the DJing side of Rap. Let's say him to be known as Ali Shaheed Muhammad (this is his government name, go 8-figure). Eventually these cats came to form a rap group that came to be known worldwide as "A Tribe Called Quest" and went to forever change the landscape of Rap with innovative production and just cool music that could appeal to the masses (True, True).

*Sidenote: Thought I wasn't serious about not gettin (up) into the history of the Tribe .*Yeah* Well you know what you have to do. Don't look all dispondent because you brought this upon youself. Go and slap youself silly a couple times and you can back because John still cares for your well being (call me the governmental except that I actually care for my constituents(ooooohh!!)).* After the Tribe called it quits in 98' (one of the saddest days in my life to hear that news, Don't believe, ask my therapist *Dr. Drew says: True, now John, admittance is a step towards recovery* I know, I Know (says this sobbingly)), Tip went for dolo (Tip went through highs and lows throughout his career with Tribe and through his tenure, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Kamaal Fareed). Okay, back off...um..on track, Q-Tip, of course decided to record an solo debut album because the public was anxious for it.

What came to result was Amplified. Let me describe what Amplified was (and still may be in some people's eyes to this day). Amplified was your favorite sports star doing all the things that made you follow them down to the horrible (or GRREAT) shoes that are overpriced and then when free agency comes along (or some advertising deal), they decide to choose a rival team that you could never picture them going for in your lifetime and now the sun is night and moon is day and the apocolaypse is coming around the corner. This may be an exaggeration (but, by reading, this blog, what isn't), but most had to be shocked by the sudden turn Tip took with Hype Williams Videos (Belly a classic???) and going for things that you never thought Tip would go for in forever. The more shocking thing is that is flashy style music had J Dilla behind the boards (Dilla forever, RIP). Yet, there were some gems in this project for the devoted Tribe fans looking for sometime to still hold on to the Tribe. "Vivrant Thing" and "Breathe and Stop" were two songs doing fairly well in the club with its party atomsphere vibe and just all things out the window feel to both songs (I believed, for a short time, these two songs were the same and, from looking around the web, I am not the only person who felt this way). "Let's Ride" was another cool song from the album, but the shock had already settled in for Tribe fans (and new ones): Tip had gone mainstream (All H*ll Breaks loose with this statement).

Tip was beginning work on a follow-up to Amplified, but he we wanted to do something completely different. He wanted to do an album with a band (like the legendary Roots Crew (yes, this is how they must referred too), but with a Jimi Hendrix feel to it. His label at the time, Arista, intially said "Sounds Interesting, Let's Try It". With That, Tip worked on songs that seemed to be a cross of rock and rap and hip-hop and jazz working together as one force. The project eventually came to be known as Kamaal The Abstract. This project showed the maturity that you expect from most artist, BUT DON'T ACTUALLY SEE (OR HEAR, in this case). Kamaal the Abstract showed Tip operating on a 70's vibe with the live instruments and his talents blendly to make something you could get down to. So with praise like this, you know how excited the label was to release this? They were so excited that they...never released it (that's the breaks-De La Soul from Stakes is High). Funny thing about the industry, it's "f-ed" the "F" up. But Tip understood the business, because did he introuduce us to industry rule #4080. You know the unique style Tip had on the album, well, Andre 3000 must've heard a good portion of this because this is "The Love Below" before "The Love Below" (sans a great song like "Hey Ya", play that for-every-day). Don't worry, Tip is cool about what went down because he's an adult and can handle it like an adult (Maturity: The number one leading cause amongst black folks to a place of well-being in life).

Tip during the years would eventually recorded andother album, Open, that WOULD NOT BE RELEASED (Seriously, MotherF**K a record company). Tip, the consamate professional, would endure the trials and tribulations to finally get to this point of time of having a offical second album being released. The Renaissance (after a name change or two) is the proper second release from Q-Tip. The Renaissance was released Nov. 4, 2008 (on the same day as history, what a suprise (sentence dripped in sarcasm)) to the masses. The album has, so far, garned critical acclaim and success from the masses because it still holds the pieces of the Tribe sound we all know and grew up with, but it also shows an artist willing to forray into areas most would deem "Nah, Son, Not My Cup of Henny".

Hmm... with an overview like that for the album did i just give away my review for thew album? *Crowd Gasps*. Nah, but don't you like the way I left you in suspense (like news on Only Built For A Cuban Linx II and The Detox actually having release dates) *Someones says "No"* *John takes care of that fool and askes "Any other Opinions?", "GOOD"*. So without further ado, Q-Tip's The Renaissance Album......Review and then Album.
John Q: Got you again
Reader: Where?
John Q: Mentally
Reader: Preety Sneaky, You Unscheduled Blogger, Preety Keek-Da-Sneeky
Guy Fawkes: John, You Forgot About The Other Guy on Here?
John Q: No, No, I was just about to throw the program over to you too keep the party bumping
Guy Fawkes: Cool. John, you told your story, and now, I will tell mine (Mystery of Doom (skit) instrumental plays in background)

Here is Guy Fawkes Review intro:
Even as a 90's baby, (yes a 90's baby) I can still confidently say I grew up on A Tribe Called Quest. When most kids my age were falling out of love with Nickleback and Eminem, I was bumping Award Tour out of my mom's car... on the weekends. One of the most nostalgic moments of my present childhood was going to a record store that actually held The Low End Theory or Midnight Marauders and paying full price for both of them (remember I'm a 90's baby). Once I copped those albums I would play them inside out, back to front, and cover to cover until I knew the song better than Phife and Q-Tip. Needless to say, I'm a fan! Shortly after exploring the Tribe discography, I decided to investigate Q-Tip's short-lived solo career (until now anyway). As a huge jazz rap and abstract hip-hop head, I was somewhat dissappointed with the debut. So here's hoping to a better go-round the second (err..third) time around (Hear, Hear.)

1. Johnny Is Dead
John's Take
IT'S ON!!!! Q-Tip shows other cats how you jump into an rap album, so to heckle with a rap intro. Tip comes at you like a cat on a mission and would you look at that, glance over the title of his album to see what drives him this time around. The production on this song is top notch with the loop guitar licks and the banging (and at times) beat to give Tip an arena to operate in. The beat is pretty good at holding you in it as Tip goes in at what he sees as a floundering art he once (and still is, in this repsect) at the forefront helping to expand only to see it suffering under a tent of uncreativism and "Everybody follows who popular"-ism (as he sees through the screen and hears on the radio (People still listen to radio??!!). Listen close or you just might miss what the true topic of the song is...
Guy's Take
If there's one thing that I really enjoy about Q-Tip it has to be his beautiful flow (no homo not even necessary). This isn't a bad song per se' but I couldn't really get into it because of the choppy flow equipped here. Everything else is pretty average too, the instrumental didn't really catch my ear and the hook is very ehhh... But it's a rap intro (fingers crossed).
*John Q: To Each his own I see (It's all good like a week of thanksgiving) and you will see what I mean when it comes to next song*

2. Won't Trade
John's Take
NICE TO HEAR!!! This is what comes to mind as I this song. Let's get something straight: Tip's Lyryicism on this song (as Guy will hit upon in his take) is just crazy...good! But, the song's proudction did not grab me like the previous song. The drums on the track is dope with the blaring backdrop, but I felt like I wanted something else. I could have sworn I read somewhere the Mark Ronson was involved with production duties on this song, but I guess that was just my thinking's thin-king. Q-Tip samples "You Made A Believer Out Of Me" by Ruby Andrews, saying that he won't trade for Hip-Hop and he is in it for-every. Nice message for the kids to ponder as we see Tip try to get up from this (see what I did there with the transition into... aw, forget it).
Guy's Take
Had me nodding my head for the whole 2:41. The lyricism is pretty sick, and the whole song flows really well together. It's a concept track based on basketball (I think), and even though I'm not a fan of songs like these, I'll admit that this track is pretty hot. And I can't even imagine how many crates of records Q must have dug through before finding the vocal sample for this track.

3. Gettin' Up
John's Take
GETTIN UP!!! Q-Tip jumps right into the game with this sweet little number to ladies. This song seems more like an uplifiting thing to play for your significant other (the world is very different from the world we used to know, so use this phrase to reach all people). Q-Tip's production on this track is pretty good with sampling Black Ivory's glitzy "You and I" and flipping it into this sweet little number (stuck in phrase mode, happens to the best of us (or worst (hmmm..)). Tip's wordplay on this song is playful, but fits the songs atomsphere. His reference to Ruby Dee and Ossie and/or Martin and Corretta is amusing cause it tells of cat who seems ready to...settle dow...Get Up (Yeah, that's what I mean (and what Tip seems to mean)).
Guy's Take
Q-Tip's what 38? When he was 20 and making tracks like Electric Relaxation for the ladies it was cool. Not as a 40 year old though. "We can be like Martin and Coretta"... ehh. A cute sentiment, but your trying way too hard homie. This was an easy skip for me.
*John Q: Funny take on the song and won't really argue for long on you with you point of view*

4. Official
John's Take
DOPE!!! This is what I'm talking about. From the cut up vocal sample at the beginning to Tip's action over the track, everything works for me on here. Now, Granted, I did hear this song since 06' when it was supposed to be on his 2nd unreleased album (Like I said earlier, MF A RECORD COMPANY), but he updated the song's sound and made it funkier. The proudction just bangs on this song and Tip just does what Tip is known for doing: Abstracting. Funky jam to get down too. That's all.
Guy's Take
Mess of a song. Choppy flow again, a vocal sample that doesn't fit the rhythm at all, and too much singing (I've never been a fan of Kamaal the singer). I had a hard time listening to this track.
*John Q: One time we can differ on opinion completly on a track, but to each his own, so it's all good, all issues solved over Thanksgiving Feast (Trust Me by watching Soul Food (and then think of the Boondocks (Smiles as he ssays this)))*

5. You
John's Take
LATE NIGHT PHONE MESSAGE!!! When you hear this song, the statement that sums up this song will totally make sense. And You Know what?? I actually dug this song. Q-Tip's production has an spacey backdrop with the snare drums hit you a stop clap motion with the bass play coming into secne sometime later to set the mood for a downer of a song. Tip flows on how the stress he feels on his mind....was you (True, it's not me, it's you (should be the other way around, right???!!!). The song for some odd reason reminds me of Usher's Confession (and boom goes the dynamite).
Guy's Take
This is more of the beats I was expecting to hear. Not a bad song, not much more than singing though. I'm not complaining though, I was feeling this track after a few listens.
*John Q: Could not agree more, Guy*

6. We Fight/We Love (feat. Raphael Saadiq)
John's Take
AND IT, AND IT, AND IT BEGINS!!! This phrase Tip uses at the beginning holds more meaning than appears to be to the naked ears (cover those ears, but then how will you hear the music???!!!). Allow me to explain. In my mind, it feels like not only is Tip jump-starting his way off to best collaboration on the album, but it feels like this is the point in the album where things really get going. From here, the album just flows into the end (as well shall see). The production on this song is just how can I say this...Unbelievable. Tip just produces a cool, spacey atomsphere for him, and Saadiq, to operate in. Look I think it needs to said: Everytime these cats collaborate on a song, the results are usually great. Don't believe Q, just look at the first song they collaborated on and sit quietly as I proceed. Tip flows on one end about of a relationship where each individual find themselves in a peculiar situtaion that leaves both feeling strained and stressed over how things have progressed in what had to start out on such great terms. On the other end, Tip flows about an young man, so searching for his identity, joins to military only find himself more lost than he has ever been before. You, know, this song is really a downer but a groovy downer, so its all good. Saadiq is just great over the hook and emphasizes "We Fight/We Love".
Guy's Take
A soft instrumental complements Tip's great storytelling, and Raphael Saadiq stops in for the hook. This is definitely a song for the grown-ups, so I wasn't really feeling it, but it's got potential... I've got potential to enjoy it soon!

7. Manwomanboogie (feat. Amanda Diva)
John's Take
THE TRAIN THAT KEEPS GOING!!! This is what comesto mind when this song comes on. The production for this track sounds like the track is constantly in that mode to start. It is not bad at all. Tip's production is just a loop of some drums rattling to together (probably way off base here) with a guitar playing throughout clapping hands in background to add to the studio atomsphere of 70's band playing background (or part it). Tip spits on the tricky relationship between woman and man. He basically says that even though man and woman can survive on there own, they can come together and form voltron. The thing that caught my attention on this track was actually Amanda Diva. First time i heard this track, I was amazed how dope a singer she actually is (I know, I should not be). I felt she should have had more time on the track. But all in all, nod off to this track and keep it (look to title of next song).....
Guy's Take
On this song he tries to explore man and woman's evolution. I don't know that this instrumental was the ideal platform for such an exploration. Wasn't really feeling this track.

8. MOVE
John's Take
BANGER TIMES TWO!!! Ahhh... The infamous "Move". I say this with the feeling everyone seems to have for this track (I will explain in a moment). This track is split into two so let's start with the good first (since it comes first). The first half of this song's production has J DIlla (Yo, Where my *excuse me* Dilla at - Q-Tip (edited, of course)) sampling "Dancing Machine" by The Jackson 5 to create a club-bumping joint to help move the crowd. Tip spits "hot fire" on the track as he tries to make you move. Tip also touches upon rappers not cut out for the long run and how he takes the listeners over the industry, no matter what. So the funny thing with this track it continues and you wait to proceed to tthe next song and than: BAM (like that chef). The Renaissance rap comes into full force. The Renaissance rap is a hidden track on the album and you know I am pissed I am that it is. This is easily one of the best tracks on the album (so good, he made a video for it (and the video is dope)). Tip just rips sh*t up over this simple, though banging, backdrop. Tip really just levels with cats on this track and, as he takes this introspective journey, he reminds you: That its the Renaissance (fading to black)...
Guy's Take
Double-sided song, the first half of the song is a dance track: "Here they come yo, here they come". A song clearly targeted for the ladies, but the second half of the track is a deeply introspective song. The instrumental sounds Renaissance-esque (like 15th century Europe), and is accented by some amazing story-telling. On some old school Tip ish. I'm disappointed these songs weren't separated, because the second half is amazing.
*John Q: Could not agree more, Guy (This Guy really sums thing up, well. I got to learn how to do that better)*

9. Dance on Glass
John's Take
TEAR SH*T UP!!! I would talk about the production on the track, but the best production on this track comes courtesy of Q-Tip himself. For about like a minute, he just tears sh*t up over the BS a label can push you to go for, but stay true to listeners and youself. Tip also shows he still a top-notch MC as he goes for fools who seem to mishandle this profession we call "MCing". Love the shot he takes at some of the more noticable rappers who seem to have billboard hostage at the moment. This production on the track is some scracthes mixed with a banging drum to pound home the message he wants you take away from the track. This is easily the lyrical highlight of the album.
Guy's Take
You know what? Props Q, he rocked the shit accapella for more than a minute and killed it! This song is put together very strangely, but is definitely worth a listen. I don't know about the singing at the start though.

10. Life Is Better (feat. Norah Jones)
IT WORKS!!! This is the oddest of collaborations to most hip-hop heads, but, strangely, it works. Now what exaclty works. Umm... Everything (for me). The production on is just...great. Tip uses of the drums (you feel it, for sure) and keyboard blends well as Norah just sings swell over the track. Tip sounds like he spit his verse over a phone, but, IT WORKS. Tip flows on rappers who influenced him and rappers who keep his interest. The list is pretty interesting to listen over and may even suprise you with some of his choices. The songs subject is: "Life is Bettteeerrrrr, since I found you." Who he is actually talking about. Well, take a listen and you will hear for yourself...
Guy's Take
Life would be better if Q-Tip didn't make songs like this. Maybe it's just me but this seemed like a half-assed hip hop ode. Just me... I have a snaking suspicion John was feeling this track.
*John Q: Man, talk about knowing people. We never met each in person and yet, he correctly predicts my take on this song. This is what happens on your blog has team memebers. You can go all Nostrodamus on cats (Not Nastradumus, NOSTRADAMUS, the original prophet). Funny how opinions differ greatly on this song, but it still all good after battle that took five days to conclude (It was a draw, for those who gamble)*

11. Believe (feat. D'Angelo)
BELIEVE IN BELIEVING!!! Easily the most uplifting track on the album. Tip's production for this track is smooth. The fender rhodes brings the listening into a higher realm as D'Angelo (who knew) sounds in prime form saying he believes. The way the fender rhodes mixes in with the band (that's a band playing, you can tell) , it just sets the stage to...believe. Tip flows on how believing can be a contributing factor to get the work done for progressing to a better tommorrow. Tip says somethings that really ring true like "Believe in your friends, Don;t belive in your enemies", "Believe in Believing", and "Sometimes I wish I had belief when I didn't." These words ring so true for the times we are in. People are struggling to hold on to funds that are shrinking at a disturbing rate and now, more, than ever, we need to have belief that tommorrow, you have the chance to held make a difference in the world for the better. Heed the message of this track as you wake up outta of bed, becuase it will help you have a brighter propspect for the day (I know it helped me feel better for the days to come, no matter the ostablaces that are sure to come. Call it Unbridled Hope).
Guy's Take
I wanted to love this song, but I just couldn't. The beat is magnificent, but the message that ties the song together is somewhat lacking.
*John Q: Look for Q's Sidenote Under Guy Take's for "Life is Better" and Insert that here*

12. Shaka
John's Take
LET'S GO!!! This is how you end an album. The production of the tracks harpons upon an otherworld spirit that makes it's presence felt throughout the track. This track feels like it ready to elevate (and the music that preceeded it) to higher level. Tip just flows on about how his friend (I mean, Brother) Shaka, J Dilla, and his father have all had unmeasurable influence on his life and he will continue to live a life that seeks to exmplifiy the honor he had of knowing these poeple in his life. Their spirits will continue to preside over him and help to continue to shape him into an extraordinary individual.
Guy's Take
Another poignant production, and this is a great way to finish up this album. No matter how the material before it sounds, this song will leave you wanting more Q-Tip.

Final Thoughts:
John's Take
Q-Tip makes a triumphant (althought, he never really went anywhere) return to scene. This is easily one of the best albums released in a year which has seen hip-hop have a upswing. This album is great listen, and while Tip does not fully deliever the Renaissance he had hoped to usher in, he does a great job of still find his niche in today's hip-hop climate. The Renaissance has at least achieved one thing he set out to do: Reawken What's Living. And in the end, Q-Tip can probably reap this benefit as the greatest benefits that is to be gained fromt his album.
Guy's Take
And that will conclude this album. To tell the truth, I was somewhat dissapointed. The album itself was to be expected. Lately Q-Tip among numerous other rappers has begun singing more than rhyming. This album is somewhat similar to his second LP Kamaal the Abstract, in terms of singing. But this is Q's finest produced album to date. Considering he produced or co-produced almost the whole album, that is quite an achievement. There's something here for everyone, so check it! "Here they come yo, here they come...."

So without further ado, Q-Tip's The Renaissance:

Mediafire Link (courtesy of Boxing Scene Forum (Who knew))

&

Amazon Link (Dig the sounds, Support what you like, cause it goes a long way)

A Little Sum-Something to Go Along With That:

Q-Tip - The Renaissance [The Samples]

Tracklisting:

Rapidshare Link

(Courtesy of Hip Hop Is Read. He put the set together, got all the links cozy, made the party jump it was only walking. All credit must be given to Ivan of Hip Hop Is Read.Stop by his place sometime, you will dig the sights and sounds (I gurantee it)).

Q-Tip - B-Sides, Rarities, and Other Ish from the Whole Recording Process Up Til 2nd Album

Tracklisting:

1. Feelin' (Kamaal The Abstract)
2. Do You Dig You (Kamaal The Abstract)
3. A Million Times (Kamaal The Abstract)
4. Blue Girl (Kamaal The Abstract)
5. Barely In Love (Kamaal The Abstract)
6. Heels (Kamaal The Abstract)
7. Abstractionism (Kamaal The Abstract)
8. Caring (Kamaal The Abstract)
9. Even If It's So (Kamaal The Abstract)
10. Johnny Died (Open) (Original Version of "Johnny Is Dead")
11. Black Boy (Open)
12. Official (Open) (Original Version of "Official")
13. N/A (feat. Common) (Open)
14. Say Something For Me (Open)
15. Interlude (Open)
16. I'm Not Gone Have It (Open)
17. Unknown (Open)
18. Feelings (Open)
19. Where Do You Go (Open) (Reworked into "Shaka")
20. Unidentified (Open)
21. That's Sexy (feat. Andre 3000) (Open)
22. Late Mornin' (Open)
23. Compute (Open)
24. I Believe (feat. D'Angelo) (Open) (Orginial Version of "I Believe")
25. Lisa (Extended Instrumental) (Open)
26. Instrumental (Open)
27. Lisa (Original) (Open)
28. Fever (Live at The Renaissance)
29. For The Nasty (feat. Busta Rhymes)
30. Work It Out [Main]
31. Work It Out [Instrumental]
32. Work It Out [Acapella]
33. Gettin' Up (Instrumental)
34. Gettin' Up Remix (feat. Eve)
35. Gettin' Up Remix (feat. Camp Lo)
36. Gettin' Up Remix [DJ Scratch Mix] (feat. Busta Rhymes)
37. Move [Instrumental]
38. Feva [Unreleased]
39. Good Thang [Unreleased]
40. Renaissance Rap [Hidden Track after Move]
41. Q-Tip for President (J. Period Mix)
42. Shaka (feat. President Barack Obama) (Original (Read: Greater) Version of Shaka)

Megaupload Link

*Tracks with Bold In Parenthesis are in order they appear off the unreleased projects that accumulated over the years.*

(Courtesy of Lyrics to Go. This took forever to put together with pain-staking thought put into packaging this set. So appreciate this drop and try not to put the link on other website without giving credit where credit is due)

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q Moves On

(Don't know when I'm going to come back, this post took a lot out of me)

Please Leave a Comment (You Know I would appreciate that so much (it helps build blogging self-esteem)).

"On John's Mind"

2008-11-24T11:56:00.009-05:00

This Post comes courtesy of... aw f*ck it. I don't really have reason for this post except what the title says. Any other questions? *Yo, Where Dame at* Broke, Kanye, now stop smiling.

I just going to in on a new segment to our programs (that never really have any timetable). It is called "What's On John Mind" *What* What's On JOhn Mind *WHAT* "WHAT'S ON JOHN MIND*. NOw shut the "Pardon The Interuption" Up and let's see what's on your mind John *Thanks Q*:

Item 1: How many cats are going to cop 'Ye's and LUDA (yes, you have to say it like that) new joints today? I have the seen the response (on the blogsphere, of course) to both joints and not too suprising.
When 'Ye first came out with that Love Lockdown tale, not to many people where feeling it (Heard and saw why), but you can't front on his skills. 'Ye seems to be a cat (or bear (where the bear go, by the way)) who, as talented as he, can't reach the heights of legacy he is truly capable of reaching. Wht's stopping him you ask? Kanye, of course. Oh well, listen to a little more 808 and wait until his true 4th solo album "Good A*s Job." How may cats with me on this angle (hopefully perpendicular and not parallel *Big-ups Trugoy on the line-drop*).
As for LUDA (yes, you have to say it like this), his new joint comes through like the Celtics back to work (Big-ups to Dart and the whole Celtic nation). Theater of Mind finds LUDA in familiar and some new terrority with great results. LUDA should gain more recognition as a dope MC with a dope (not meaning weed (or maybe??!!)), but a dope meaning goood (STAKES IS HIGH) career. He is what you find as comedy's curse of hip hop. Allow me to explain. Think about Eminem, for a second. He is, arguably, one of the best MCs ever to bold crush a microphone, but he probably won't receive the true praise he deserves. Why, You ask? Simple, comedy. Call this the curse of comedy in hip-hop. Don't believe me. Cool, I wont' get ups.. aw f-it, *punches air in the face*. Sorry for violence, let's get serious on this tip. Make a top ten list of MC's. *Check*, Now check it twice *Check*, Now tell how many of those MC's ever had a goofy aspect to their music (INTENTIONALLY, of course). See what I mean? Don't front on Q *Yells someone else: or John*. Um..Yeah!!!

Item 2: How many of you still buzzing off the election?
Let me answer by saying I still hungover from the election. You know my feelings on the election (check previous post), so i leave this short by saying look at Jeezy and Nas for some express on my feelings of the current (Outta here with next) president of these United States (Funny, Never thought Jeezy's name would end on here, but hey, you learn something new everyday's day).

Item 3: Seriously, Are the Giants not going to win the Super Bowl?
The Giants are better than they were last year and they won the super bowl (How's that for improvement). These cats can play with anybody in the line up and they move on EPMD "Business As Usual" thing. Teh funny thing with this team is that even when the Titans were undefeated, most people thought the Giants were the best in the league. How weird would it be for the Super Bowl to by a New York Thing (First Rap and Now Football, Man, New York Reigns Supreme (for now))

Item 4: How Dope was That LUDA-cris shoutout to The Smoking Section
The good folks over at *Top 5* blog on the intranet, Smoking Section, must have been lifted over this for a good while. This or they kept it moving on a "Respect Our Fresh" attitude that got them to be a leader in this thang called "Blogging". Man, with Ivan, from Hip Hop Is Read, cold crushing cats with sample sets and Kevin, from Kevin!Nottingham: This Is Real Hip Hop, turn out the place with week's dedicated to certain artist, no wonder they have blogger respect, so many other cats covet, but can't attain. Can't forget Max from Hip Hop Isn't Dead with daily updates (how does have time to do this) and Dart Adams with Poisonous Paragraphs, and to others who stay daily (or consistent with ther blogs). This leads me into my final thought...

Item 5: JOHN *YEAH*, WHAT'S UP WITH THE BLOG SCHEDULE
Look, School's a *say what* and then you pass????!!!! I am trying to hard to organize me schedule to have a consistent schedule to blog on but, you know how one thing holds on to your attention for more than 5 seconds. College is almost over (Pop Cham-Pag-Ine (anyone see that ridicoulous video, aren't we in a recession, but I digress)) and I can start to do *Cross fingers and toes and thoughts???!!!* daily or every other day updates. Trust Me, I got some things lined and once the education comes to a conclusion, then we got to make the block hot and then cool it down (Umm...Yeah!!). So peep what's to come in the future days (and can't forgets Guy Fawkes, help to solidy L2G's backcourt):

Just to Name a Few...

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone
(But not for long.....)

"It Begins.."

2008-11-15T18:52:00.005-05:00

President-Elect Barack Obama's Weekly Address on Youtube

Welcome to tommorrow. It starts today (on Jan. 20, to be exact). It is going to be tough, but we can get through, united as one, because I see only a brighter horizon for our country. Good to see the President (Outta Here with That, elect, because ask anybody who the president is and there face lights up like Christmas morning with my assumption on who the real president is). Look around the country, you will find the most unsual of predicaments people finds themselves in (including me). People understand that with the economy in a disastrous disposition, and the country engaged in two wars, ask them how they feel about the direction of the country and most people get excited??!! Why is this? Their tampered excitement comes from one source: HOPE. Hope that maybe a family can afford to send their child to collge (or afford a good education). Hope that I can recieve health care so that you don't a loved family member agonize through a pain that deserves medical attention (or prescription) you cannot afford. Hope for a future that does not leave someone depressed about waking up the next day.

So to you, President Obama (feels good saying, doesn't it?!!), we as a nation have entrusted you with job of the official in the land. I Hope you can deliever on your promises of a better tommorrow and leads us to a prosperity that fills the nation with an optimisim that one can only realize as they sleep. Is this going to be a fine road to fix the nations problems? No. But, even with the bumps in the road as we journey thorugh these 4 (let's say 8 to make every feel as ease), I see that you turly understand the gravity of the situation and you are prepared to handle these situations with a the responsiblty, caution, care, and understanding the last presidency relayy displayed.

I Hope that Nov. 4 was the another great step towards the mountaintop that young preacher from Georgia witnessed with his own eyes. I Hope that you assemble a cabinet that only progresses (no detract) from the bright future you have in your mind and heart for this nation. I hope you soar to new heights as President ofthe United States, because you succession is our success and you fail.. no, I turly believe you will succed, so just focus on the glass that half full.

Finally, I hope you bring a change that Washington, DC so desparately needs. You have a mandate few Presidents have ever had and the goodwill of the world. Now that the time for celebration has come (and soon pass by the Jan. 20), our task at hand is mighty and daunting, but with a heeded and careful approach to the problem, we can reach a solution that extends across the world.

So, through Hope, let's Change the course of our country for a brighter future that Unites people across the nation and, hopefully, the world.

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

"A Change Has Come"

2008-11-04T23:02:00.006-05:00

FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT (Let it sink in as tears hit the keyboards)!!!!

YO, IVAN, KEV, AND SO MANY OTHERS WE FINALLY REACHED A MOUNTAIN TOP!!!

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

(THANK GOD I ALIVE NOW AND AT LEAST MLK'S DREAM HAS REACHED NEW HEIGHTS)

One Year Anyversesary

2008-10-29T23:53:00.004-04:00

YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS, IT's A CELEBRATION KNITCHES!!!!!

I cannot believe that I am one year deep into this thing. I would like to thank all those for the continued support and trust me, the best is yet to come (VOTE). THe funny thing about this post is that I comes three days after the first post for this place. Thnik about It? Cool, I actually missed the actual annie-drops-tight-verse day, but it is all good because the weather is still bad (or mad, or sad, or you occasional dad (OOHHH)).

Anywho, all jokes offsides (foul or flag anyone), I am grateful that I got here with a few scars to show for. I would Likes to big ups all the blogs listed on the blogroll for this site and I hope to be in the elite company that withold in their own arena. The past year has been as turblent a year in recent memory with fantastic highs (VOTE, that's all I gots to say on that matter (Look at Hip Hop Is Read for Q's political position, if you must insist) and disparaing lows (Bernie and Black Moses, we always love you forever). I have grown somewhat in mentality for the world and wisdom on what life holds for one.

When I started this blog, I did not really know what the "HEY!" to go with this thing. I guess I had some plan at the start, but I wanted to stick out from the millions(AND MILLIONS (said in the Rock's voice) of blogs in the sphere, but accomplishing that goal was a tall order that few have reached. As I have journeyed in blogging from time to time (Sings: my schedule used to look so good, but real life is so heavy, I don't know, I rather make ceratin days to blog, because then I will be ready, so let's go), I have come to realize that this is for those who are true to it. I mean I could talk all day on just one post from such bloggers as Kev Nottingham, Dart Adams, Max of Hip Hop Isn't Dead, Travis Of WYDU, Smoking Section (Respect Their Fresh) and so many others. These cats, and a couple others, are what you should strive for to earn the coverted "Blogger's Respect", so many people want, but can't obtain.

So where does John Q, and Guy Fawkes (added a team member in year, not bad huh), go from here. Well after the celebration (like I won a championship), I will probably come back to *Gasp* posting on a regular schedule and hitting up the masses with the goods because I heard the bads are not so delightful. So stay tuned for what comes in the future and hopefully, next week, the first suprise in the year two for this place will come in the form a change the whole world can appreciate (VOOOOTTTEEEEE)!!!!

Somedays, I look to Heavens, beause the Human Realm cannot provide the answers I seek and what I Find Does not shock or suprise me, but fills with a completness unparalled The only question that remains from this is: Will you find the one true thing your heart desires?

*Condolences and Prayers to Jennifer Hudson. May God with you thorugh your time of grief.*

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

*When They Reminisce, Over You, My God*

"Random Music Drop - Vol III"

2008-10-19T00:00:00.004-04:00

What The "ESP without an N"? Here is a post that is coming from Q at the correct time you see in the post. Call that Sh.. insomonia and keep it moving. *Why you posting so late (said in annoying girl whining voice)* BECAUSE, YOUR UP SO LATE. Go to bed later and maybe I can post earlier(??!!)

Sorry for that last paragraph, the Kool-aid does the body some harm (but the mind some good, go figure (it out)). I have a couple of thangs lined up for this blog. Oh wait, that is not an acceptable excuse for the ab-sense. Well, then take it or.... take it(???!!). But, no time to look back on the past (only look back to learn mistakes of past *STREET KNOWLEDGE*). Let's focus on what lies ahead for us. Oh would you look up at that, seems we are in store *Aren't you at home?* for another installment of the hit post series that is sweeping my blog, Random Music Drop. Seems we are now three feet low and falling into this posting series. So let's jump off the train (and then jump back on), and let's get all up in it....

Method Man feat. Mary J. Blige - I'll Be There For You/You Are All I Need to Get By
HIP HOP LOVE AT IT'S ESSENCE. This song, for me, is what a true embodiment of what the impenatrable bond a man and woman have when the reach the moment in their relationship has no words to describe what keeps them so closely tied to each other *STREET KNOWKEDGE*. Method Man straight method mans all over this joint (yeah, fast foward to next sentence). This 12" contains various remixes to the orginal, gritty, unfiltered version of the song. Know that the Puffy version (some steet elements mix with a touch of pop influence (when Diddy was still understanable (go to his blog or watch him on the tele to see what I mean)) is not the one that got that '95 grammy (trivia, for that a*s). It was the Razor Sharp Mix. Want some more good tidbits about this song? *No Response* Alright then, Method Man only agreed to do this song after being offered a nice car (model slips the mind at the moment). Method Man was all about that gritty, dusted sh*t and it was hard to convince him to go pop. My, have times changed. Mary J. Blige is the perfect choice for this track with a street queen who could bring evoke the passion for the only man she sees fit to carry her life on with. Method Man kicks it on the real about how he wants a girl to hold him down through whateva and vice versa on his part. The Biggie sample from "Me & My B*tch" only emphasizes this point. Where the Heckle is a song on this type of caliber for the 2-Double O and beyond??? Anything thing that is in the same stratosphere of this ong would be acceptable in this point (Heckle, in the same galaxy). Play it for you queen bee and see if she don't get all caught up in it (No, really try it, the results may suprise (or not, TICALLLLLLLL!!!!!)

Slick Rick - Children's Story 12"
BEST BEDTIME STORY EVER!!! With Uncle Ricky finally getting his due from the Hip Hop world (I mean VH1 honors thing (huh, how many people thought VH1 would show up on this place *But You said you love "I Love Money" and cuts record*, Moving along). Slick Rick's importance in hip hop is monumental and for me to get into his whole back story (and tragically unsettling life), I will do this at some other time. But now, let's examine his siganture song (and that's saying something knowing he released the greatest 12" of all time: "The Show"). Children's Story is an fun little story he tells to kids about a young man caught in a bank robbery gone wrong (fun sentence that ends on a down note, call that the career of _____ (insert disappointing rapper's name here)). The production is handled by none other than... The Ruler. I find this a great tidbit about this song. The simple production on this song, with the piano key loop, only emerses one in the children story atmoshpere of this song (Huh, read slowly in realization moment). Children's Story is the epitome of what makes the ruler a uncontested hip hop legend: storytelling. Slick Rick story telling (with his cool british accent) is what made him a standout in an era where everytime you turned on the radio, a classic hip hop song could possibly cruise through your ear drums. Your favorite rapper loves The ruler and has probably sampled his lyrics sometime in their career (Don't front, you know I got you opin). Look, just grab the 12" and HEY YOUNG WORLD, LET's GET CRAZY with RICK THE RULER AND MC RICKY D, RICKY D IN THE PLACE TO BE!!!!!

Little Brother - Whatever You Say 12"
HIP HOP FOR THE BLOGGERS!!! Little Brother may not have the media recognition of say ________ (insert popular rapper name here), but they have all the critical acclaim that that artisit may never attain. See, Little Brother is held in high regard for the quality albums they have released through there careers. Little Brother consist of the 2 MCs, 1 DJ format so many crews have carried (Big Ups to Run DMC), but they stand out because they came out in the 21st-for- the century (Suprised, Huh??!!). The two mcs in the crew are Phonte and Big Pooh and the man who handled production duties for the first two albums, 9th Wonder. I will get into there whole story later on the future, but for now let's delve into what beholds us at this moment. Little Brother hit the scene with their classic (YEAH, I SAID CLASSIC, WHAT WHAT (Nore is entertaining)) debut album, The Listening. One of the best songs from the album was released as a 12" and here we arrive at the moment. Whatever You Say has the backdrop of a love song, but it is really a heads up to those females lusting for the riches ("You make a *Cough* feel sick" - Q-Tip). This song is real nice and the Eric B and Rakim nod thety do at the end only makes this song more enticing. The 12" also contains some good songs they made around the time of their debut such as Light It Up and Altitiudes (Flyin High). Look this 12" is not available anywhere elese on the web (unless you drop the dinero for it), so for that reason alone, you gots to check it. It will will have your head still bobbing, even if their verses don't rhyme, SO ITS WHATEVER!!!

Marvin Gaye - I Want You
FULL, UNADULTERED PLEASURE FOR 38 MINUTES!!! This is as close to intimacy that one artist could reach while still being within bounds *huh*, allow me to elaborate. Marvin Gaye is, argubably, the most influential soul singer of our time. His influence ranges across music genres and people across the world. During the album making process, Marvin's infatuation for a woman was so great, he made an entire album about the bliss they could experience with each other. That woman was Janis Hunter (met her when she was 16), but a little issue about their relationship is..umm...yeah: He was still married to Anna Gordy (Berry Gordy's sister). All I have to say about this is... Welcome to the 70's (No explantion needed, you live the life you chose, kids). Anyway, Getting back to the album, Marvin Gaye first hit upon love with his classic "Let's Get It On" and he would explore the themes from the album fully in "I Want You". *Sidenote: This is one of the best album covers of all time. Ernie Barnes Sugar Shack pic is a perfect embodiment of album's atmosphere. It So good that some cats who rap borrowed it for their own album cover. Too bad their name slips the mind at the moment (SAYS THIS OH SO SARCASTICALLY).* The album kicks off with Marvin yearning for the one his heart desires for. Thorughout, the album, Marvin Gaye journeys into unboundless love that leaves him sastified, amazed, and yet, begging for more of what his significant other can still give into the relationship. This is one of may favorite albums from Marvin Gaye and If you play this album for your Cherie Amor (Yeah, I got so much still in my arsenal) and she gets into it, then you two could get into it and... I will save the rest for that after night special (smiles as he says this)....

So Without Further ado, here is the Random Music Drop Vol. 3

Method Man feat. Mary J. Blige - I'll Be There For You/You Are All I Need to Get By

1		I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need To Get By (Puff Daddy Mix) (5:08)
		Remix - Sean "Puffy" Combs
2		I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need To Get By (Soul Inside Edit) (4:13)
		Remix - Dodge
3		I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need To Get By (Soul Inside Instrumental) (5:24)
		Remix - Dodge
4		I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need To Get By (Keep It Tight Mix) (4:34)
		Remix - Dodge
5		I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need To Get By (Razor Sharp Mix) (3:53)
		Remix - "Prince Rakeem"*
6		I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need To Get By (Puff Daddy Instrumental) (5:04)
		Remix - Sean "Puffy" Combs

Mediafire Link

Slick Rick - Children's Story 12"

1		Children's Story (4:03)
2		Children's Story (Knock 'Em Out The Box Mix) (4:00)
		Remix - Slick Rick
3		Teacher, Teacher (4:09)

Mediafire Link

Little Brother - Whatever You Say 12"

1		Whatever You Say (Clean) (4:09)
		Producer - 9th Wonder
2		Whatever You Say (Street) (4:02)
		Producer - 9th Wonder
3		Whatever You Say (Instrumental) (3:09)
		Producer - 9th Wonder
4		Whatever You Say (Acappella) (3:18)
5		Light It Up (Street) (3:58)
		Producer - Nicolay
6		Light It Up (Instrumental) (4:13)
		Producer - Nicolay
7		Altitudes (Flyin' High)
		Producer - 9th Wonder

Mediafire Link (Courtesy of Lyrics2Go (Thanks John Q *Says Your Welcome in Membrane*))

Marvin Gaye - I Want You

1		I Want You (Vocal) (4:35)
2		Come Live With Me Angel (6:28)
		Co-producer - Hal Davis
3		After The Dance (Instrumental) (4:21)
4		Feel All My Love Inside (3:23)
5		I Wanna Be Where You Are (1:17)
6		I Want You (Intro Jam) (0:20)
7		All The Way Around (3:50)
8		Since I Had You (4:05)
9		Soon I'll Be Loving You Again (3:14)
10		I Want You (1:41)
11		After The Dance (Vocal) (4:40)

Mediafire Link (Courtesy of Bootlegbob's Collection)

"Doom Pulled the Switch"

2008-09-18T13:02:00.012-04:00

Look, before you say anything, let me just say I just ran down to store to get some sugar. But then I they said they were all out and said "Try the salt (in a weird voice)". I said "Cool", bounced to yetti and got lost because I could not be found. But eventually things came to together like glue and I am back in itwithout a scratch so, how you dooiiinngg (said in Hillarious Bizzy Bone interview that is Youtube (I mean ROFLYAO sh..))?

ANYKNOWWHO, let's flip like a couch and get back on point or else I lose some (???!!!). If you did not expect for excuse for being away for long, well then it be what it is, but just know you still be my dunny, only thing that me come between us is Krill and Money. In fact, this leads me to discussing the subject of this "The Finest" post for you, the masses (Crowd Says: Awwww). Well, looking at the writing style I'm flipping today (even more Kool-Aid than usual) and the Title of the post, Let me introudce you to the guest we have in the Building today. From Latervia, We have none other than the villain you will root for (everything is not cut dry when your older kids. Want to know something else Batman smash Superman on most days. OOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!):

MF DOOM!!! (said In Children Unison Voice)

Let's see, Where to start with Doom. Well It all began with *Cuts Record and Come takes Control*. What the Heck, I was going to tell you Doom's story, but one of his clones told me to save it for when I do the album review. I'm mad Doom could not tell me in person to save the story for later, but you know how he is about appearing public (Quick, when was the last concert he showed up as DOOM FOR REAAALLLLL (I Love Money is entertaining)).

So I guess we will save the backstory and other stuff for another time (thanks a lot DOOMPoster (snaps a villian look at me that scares me and makes me cheer at the same time (??!!)). So let's me get all Time Machinery you cats and go back to the late 90's (97-99 to be exact). You ask Why I need the Time Machine If can just reminisce, because I'm the Super MotherF*%King Villian, or Hero, the choice is yours. So let's delve into the subeject of today's post: MF DOOM's 12" from his first album Opeartion: Doomsday.

The first Subject:

MF Doom - Dead Bent/Gas Drawls/Hey 12"
This is the first 12'' listed as introudcing Doom to the world (or underground, becuase, how many cats knew of him back then (or now, time machine got me mixed down)). This 12" is probably the best to be released by Doom from this album. Doom handles all the production (it's one of his talents, people). Dead Bent has this sped up Soul (Issac Hayes, RIP) sample (reminds you of a Kanye Beat if you are high or drunk (or both, yeahh)) that puts you into the song's weird trance of 2 min's and a little over. Doom just spits like Doom can only and man it's just dope. I love the fact this song is not long enough that the trance starts to wear off. Doom just spits on how Doom gets down on a daily basis and some sh.. that happens to him, but mostly on what happens on his daily journeys through um...yeah.. I will get back to you on that. Gas Drawls is up next and let's be real: this is one of the best songs I heard from Doom (but In Time-Magazine-Machine speak, it is his best). Doom's production follows in the path of the former song, but the uses the sample (Steely Dan's Black Cow) for this song in an even better manner. He incorparates the sample to just discuss on how DOOM gets down (a villian who not only destroys but, builds) and shows something new for a villian: sorrow over the loss of his brother. The last item to touch upon on this 12" is the infamous song that got Doom notice. Hey! may be the weirdest song in Doom's catalog and that's saying something. Hey! uses the Scooby-Doo Theme song and Doom flips into song (weird enoough for ya?). The song is built upon the creepy-a*s feeling you get when you hear the beginning of the song in the show. Doom just spits on how he gets down. You know I know that this sounds redunant, but the way Doom emcees's, you will understand while it sounds so refreshing (think serious sh.. mixed with cess and happy juice). This is straight up the sh*t and Doom's monotone manner actually mixes well with the song's creepy-a*s sample. Not a Bad 12' all around. The B-sides to theses records are thier insturmentals, for those who love the instrumental, Dooms suspicious gift to you.

*Sidenote: The songs on hear do vary somewhat from the ones heard on Operation. Doom was still in lab when these be released, so now you know if you did know(???!!!)).

MF Doom - Greenbacks/Go With The Flow 12"
The Next 12" that dropped on the masses from DOOM. THis 12" is an interesting listening because it sounds more a Demo (so does the previous one, but here it really sounds like a demo-ish). Greenbacks is first to hit the ears and, even, in it's progress in mode sound, it sounds not too shabby. Thankfully he remastered the song for the album, but it is good here. The production on this song harks back to Dead Bent and Gas Drawls. The guest, Megalon, comes through and tears it up. Greenbacks is about how you gets that paper (and the dealings that involve), and how nice is it to hear it from a Villian's perspective. Go With The Flow comes up afterwards and there is one thing comes to mind when you hear this demo-ish version: Doom sounds like a MF teenager. It sounds like he was still working out the whole MF Doom persona thing and was still stuck in Zev Love X persona. This song is a character in progress for Doom. He just spits on a track that he umm..wait..for..it. he Goes with the Flow (ohhh, so that's where that title comes into to play). The B-Side to theses records is a Greenbacks instrumental and an even rougher (good or bad depending on how yours feel after the song) version of Go With The Flow. This 12" should be a interesting listen for those who want to hear a DOOMVOLUTION occur.

*Sidenote: The songs on hear do vary somewhat from the ones heard on Operation. Doom was still in lab when these be released, so now you know to look both ways when streets cross you (????!!!).

MF DOOM - I Hear Voices 12"
Okay this is an interesting 12" for a couple of reasons. One is that this was released after Operaation dropped. Another is that there are different versions to the song, but only one ended up on Operation. Three is that the ine that ended up on Operation is put there on re-released version of the album. Four is that Golf Swing I trying to perfect. Any questions? GOOOOD. This 12" is strictly about this song and this is one of my favorties from DOOM. The production is that Doom flips a George Duke's For Your Love (I Come Yor Friend) and speeds it up some to just get ill all over the song. Doom is at his best lyrically on this song and while nonsencial at first, a close listen will truly reveal what he is talking about. The song is about teh constant battles MF DOOM AND GRIMM have with thier voices in the head (gettin some, lately, save it for after hours special). MF Grimm's Part is quite depressing, actually so much so tha it seems like DOOM heard it and was like yeah..um..let me come in on some lighter tip angle. Think I'm wrong, then what you think the singing is for (Still Think I'm wrong, then write to PO box 227 and addresss to The MF who does not give A DAMN). Sorry for that last part, it just that someone told me to put in in there (looks around and no one in the room), aw damnit, I think the song is starting to get to him, umm..I mean me, yeah that's what I meant. The 12" only contains the clean version of the two versions of I hear Voices (read slowly to get it all in (or out, it's a lot)), and an instrumental. Cool Song to listen as you drown out voices that tell you are the Supervillian.

So here is the:
Dead Bent/Gas Drawls/Hey 12"
Greenbacks/Go With The Flow 12"
I Hear Voices 12"

and, of couuurrrseee, a little sum-something extra:

MF Doom - Dead Bent (Original 12" Version)

MF Doom - Gas Drawls (Original 12" Version)

MF Doom - Greenbacks (Original 12" Version)

MF Doom & MF Grimm- I Hear Voices

So now, the main event you have been waiting for (or just skipped down to download, and f you did, how we still fam after this? Oh wait, you going to comment on the post, then we cool like blue clues (yeah)).

MF Doom - Dead Bent/Gas Drawls/Hey 12"

1		Dead Bent
2		Gas Drawls
3		Hey!
4		Dead Bent (Instrumental)
5		Gas Drawls (Instrumental)
6		Hey! (Instrumental)

7 Dead Bent (Album Version)

8 Gas Drawls (Album Version)

9 Hey! (Album Version)

(Tracks 7-9 are the album versions I put on 12" to round it out (gettin mathmetical on yous))

Mediafire Link

MF Doom - Greenbacks/Go With The Flow 12"

1		Greenbacks
		Featuring - Megalon (2)
2		Go With The Flow
		Featuring - Sci.Fly
3		Greenbacks (Instrumental)
4		Go With The Flow (Raw Rhymes)

5 Operation Greenbacks (Album Version)

6 Go With The Flow (Album Version)

(Tracks 5-6 included to yadayabadabadoooo)

Mediafire Link

MF Doom - I Hear Voices

1		I Hear Voices Pt. 1 (Clean) (2:51)
2		I Hear Voices Pt. 1 (Instrumental) (2:53)
3		I Hear Voices Pt. 2 (Clean) (2:07)
		Rap [Featuring] - MF.Grimm*

4 I Hear Voices Pt. 1 (Album Version)

5 I Hear Voices Pt. 2 (Album Version on MF album)

(Tracks 4-5...by now you get the gist if this ish)

Mediafire Link

*Sidenote: There were four 12"s releaesed from album, but Could Not Find The Mic 12", so this is what came to be (or is)*

**Props to San Pasquale Ent. And Venomous Villians for having this stuff available to find. You gets props around here for these things (Crowd Applauses fot the blogs and then stops when they realize one has been out of buisness for more than a year (crowd applause comes to a stunning silence (not all stories end well, kids))**

So hopes this post makes up for all the time I been out marauding for knowledge (hint on next post, but ssshhh!!!, Don't Tell Knowbody). When will I be back? I will be back sooner than you think, but out longer than you expect. With that:

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

"Give John Time"

2008-09-07T15:32:00.002-04:00

Man. This College Sh.. is crushing my time to post items on the blog. This is mess-age (cause it has no father to it's style) to the masses (or people who still drop by). John Q is Coming (plays It Was Written track that underwhelms the masses) and he has some post you can hopefully sink into. Some Album Reviews, SOme Random Music Drops and some suprises because it's a celebration, so you going have to grab a drink and some... save that for the aftern ight special. So be a little more patience, becasue it in the end, it will all pay off.

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

De La Soul - Stakes Is High [The Samples]

2008-08-23T14:00:00.001-04:00

"It's A Dog Eat Dot competition *No doubt*, and I'll be gone like you wishing *And I'm Out*, cause I ain't got time for hanging around when you f%$king my love in all the wrong placeessss". Here is another sample set courtesy of John Q & Ivan, of Hip Hop Is Read,with some much needed relief for the masses. De La Soul's Stakes Is High, released July 2, 1996, was the crew's answer to the unsettling atomsphere that was being built in the rap world. The album adressed he issue of Super (or even decent) MC's (Supa Emcee's), the industry (The Bizness) reppin Long Island (Wonce Again Long Island & Long Island Degress), and the rap game (STAKES IS HIGH) and a couple other items. De La got some help from this new cat, at the time, producing the album named Jay Dee and some other producers came to the table. This was their first album without Pirnce Paul, so stakes were high to what they could deliver. And deliver, they did. This album has a sparse, sort drown out sound reminiscent of J Dilla's production. The Samples used on the album really help to set the atomsphere of the songs they were used for. They range from Soul and Jazz to Old school Rap.

So, with all that said, enjoy a great sample set. Big Ups to Ivan for setting up the stuff to make this look so good. It took us a while to get this stuuf together. so without further ado, here is De La Soul - Stakes Is High [The Samples]:

Megaupload Link

*There is One song missing from the Set, a Jimmy Bee track. If someone finds it, e-mail to either Ivan or John Q so we can update the set, Thanks for cooperation*

My Man, John Q

2008-08-14T19:50:00.002-04:00

Calling hip hop heads, bloggers and anyone interested in this music ish... my dude John Q slaved on the below post, and I think the least we can do is offer some feedback, come on, if your feelin it, tell him your feelin it. If your not feelin it, tell him why not... this is that science project you can look back on in 10 years, and just admire, let's make it admirable.

"You Need To Come Inside and Check Lo"

2008-08-14T11:30:00.030-04:00

ATTENTION: SUPERPOST IS ABOUT TO GO DOWN. SO PREPARE TO EMERSE YOURSELF IN THE WORLD YOU ARE ABOUT TO VENTURE INTO.

Now, back to regularly scheduled post.

Welcome Back Folks. What a disturbing past week that has occured. I hope all of yous handles you bizness, because you know Q will handle his. I have a special *Will Smith *Switch**-up for the masses today. I recently added a team member and together, we will try to flip the script on this blogging thang. Who knows, we may then try to add some new elements to the blog, *yeah, yeah*, then we might take a test...and pass *yeah, yeah*, then we look both ways before the street crosses us, *YEAH, YEAH??!!*, THEN WE MIGHT DOUBLE TEAM CELL and DO A KAMEHAMEHA *YEA... WHAT???!!!)

So-Sorry for the last sentence of the previous paragrah, that's just the Sunny D talking *Sunny D replies: And I may never Stop*. Any-body-else-who, let's delve, I mean indulge, I mean get into, I mean get-get-get-on-down to the buisness of today. Today's subject are cats who vibe on some weird 70's blaxploitation level. I guess that, with the title of the post is all that needs to be said. So without further ado let's get into today's guest. From the BX connect and with so much swagger that they can let me borrow some and still have the cup overflowing (???!!!!), Our guest in tha building are:

CAMP LO (said in children unison voice). Camp Lo is a crew that originates out of New York. To be more pacific-like-the-ocean, they comin at you from the Bronx. Their backstory is a little hard to piece together but I will give up the goods to what I got. Camp Lo consists of MC's Geechi Suede and Sonny Cheeba. The funny thing about these cats is their government names are very similar to one another (check their wikipedia page for evidence). Geechi Suede used to live around the block to this cat who ventured in producing. This cat came to be known as Slopes um..I..mean Ski (yeah, thats whats I means). Ski is probably most well known for his work with Jay-Z (I not Jockin him, so it's all good). He's known as the cat who produce the Dead president's gem of Reasonable Doubt (Jay's Debut, But come you knows that by now (wait you don't, well you know what you have to do. Don't look all dispondent because you brought this upon youself. Go and slap youself silly a couple times and you can back because you going to need a pick me up. I will just give you a Flintstone tablet and see you out on your way).

Getting back to things, Geechi Suede lived down the street from Ski and Suede would freestyle over tracks Ski made in his residence. Ski then got the "Light Bulb over the Head" sh... and decided Suede should meet this cat he knew who vibed with him on a similar level. Enter Sonny Cheeba and a group is born (aw look how cute it is). With a group and idea in place with a producer, Camp Lo and Ski decided to play like magicans and create magic. They made a demo and Coolie High was the product of these sessions. A label, Profile, wanted to sign them but they weren't quite sold on these cats so they asked for another song. Ski quickly created a song and Camp Lo just came with it on the song. The song turned out to be Luchini and the rest as they say be the history you teachers don't teach you (Visit the Lie-berry to learn some truth (paradoxical sentence, didn't know I had in Me (Grins a little as I says this)).

Camp Lo got a record deal and decide, let's record an album becuase we got a deal (or no deal, depends on who you ask), and so came to frution Uptown Saturday Night. Uptown Saturday Night is the Debut album from Camp Lowaoh, released January 28, 1997. This album was unlike any thing heard in hip hop becuase of the whole 70's blaxploitation arena this album was set in. This alone would be enough to set it apart but Ski provides a phenomenal backdrop for Suede and Cheeba to operate on. Suede and Cheeba come at this album with a passion and intensity that you really don't see from most cats who operate in this arena. The lyrics are considered "Dadist Slang", which you know that this is complete Bullysh*t, because a close listen will reveal what subject there songs discusses (Bronx, Stick-Ups, Underworld Dealings, Blunts, Freaky Sex, and Designer (Fly) Suits).

The album would be an underground smash and garner even some mainstream onlookers, thanks to legendary singles, and Camp Lo has done... really not much since this album (depending on who you ask). One of the most intriguing things about hip-hop is the "Debut Album being the best album of Career" label that a lot of Cats have. From Nas to Biggie to Wu-Tang (Include the solo albums (exclude Ghostface because he might come and beat me down and vanish just as soon as he came through the joint) to Snoop to NWA to The Pharcyde to Camp Lo and countless others, their first albums are level they can not quite obtain cohesively to reach the heights of their debut. Their are various reasons for this, but it would be too much to get into those this time.

Hey, at least you got me and isn't that what you really need, and oh... the album. So without further ado, the Camp Lo "Uptown Saturday Night" Album......Review and then Album. I gots to stop playing tricks on the mind (because they are just for adults...um.. I mean kids (says this as kids snap a sharp look in my direction)).

*Before I adavance any further, I have a new team member to L2G. He goes by the name Guy Fawkes and he has the credentials to join the site (extensive background search and all of that Gibs), so give him a rowsing welcome *Crowd Applause is through the roof*. Wait more applause than me, I need to step my game up (no shame in my game (big ups to Gangstarr)), even though he has not even written anything yet. What does this say about me (says this in a weird self acknowledgement moment)????*

Here is Guy Fawkes Review intro:
If you ever pick up this CD, (who am I kidding) from the cover, you will immediately notice a heightened sense of blaxploitation, at first Camp Lo seems like a logical name for a never known disco group... with the ever optimistic album name. But from the first track it will be obvious that you are in for quite the surprise... Sonny Cheeba and Geechi Suede are two rappers almost exclusively known for their sparkling debut... the very same album your reading about right now. And these two men happened to pull one of the most acclaimed producers to do their whole album... Ski (the producer of most of Reasonable Doubt) is as much a part of Camp Lo as either of the two other members are. To describe their style you have to just as much understand the era they are trying to evoke: the 70's, and looking back they mimic the "blackface" or "minstrel", the waiter/butler/maid for the "hilarious, wholehearted" family. As a warning: I think any fan of hip-hop will enjoy either rapper's flow, but the lyrics are difficult to decipher at times.

1. KRYSTAL KARRINGTON
John's Take
F*CK A RAP INTRO!!! Rappers take note to how you start of your album *insert cannon shot here*. This is your introduction to what the Camp is all about: Stick-Ups for Diamond Goods, Freaky Sex, and the business of their dealings. Man, Geechi Suede and Sonny Cheba come at you with this track. Credit is due to Ski for providing a banging backdrop with the salt shaking shakers (??!!) (Dreams, just playing, those are marachas) and the tuba-sound, (with the repeated guitar lick), that plays like some weird marching band beat. It works well here and this song shows us how the MC's go on and on and some still try to do, yes y'all to the Campa Lowoah. Suede: The Lyricist who hit you from all angles on his sharp 70's tongue and Cheeba: Smooth, Jive talking Cat who can talk sh*t to you and won't do nothing because it sounds so damn fly.
Guy's Take
You will quickly distinguish Cheeba from Suede. Suede is much easier to lyrically connect with. Full of great metaphors, references that are too numerous to list... but it is only an above average intro.

2. LUCHINI AKA THIS IS IT
John's Take
PHE-NOM-EN-AL!!! I reviewed this track for the 12'' of this song, but why not get some more insight from Q. Suede and Cheeba just come WITH IT on this track. What eva they were on on when they made this, try some more of it. Suede and Cheeba just ride this beat to the max with tales of Diamond Heist mixed in with how they party through their adventures. Look, watch Uptown Saturday Night(THE MOVIE, for the kids who don't know(and look, you did not have to ask somebody)) to see where they kinda get the idea from. Guy will touch on it later, but yeah this song's straight up good times beat is ironic for the violent atomsphere the lyrics have (video doesn't help get that violent aspect of their lyrics because look at how much fun their having). But see, the thing with this beat: its so good that it is all good in this violent Diamond runners tale. Message to God: Please hit Ski with another once in lifetime idea while making beats so we can hear a backdrop like this once again in my lifetime. Sincely yours, John Q. Question: What's the main focus of this song? Are you serious? (Answering a Question with a question, GOOD TIMES (Loves the Show annd so do the Camp)). The beat is the main attraction and it is good reason. Ski makes good use of the Dynasty's Adventures in the land of music. And those horns, the MF horns with that airy drum pattern and this is a recipe for classic rap track. Best Song they ever made and when you hear, you see why. They just don' t make beats like this anymore, do they. Oh well, listen to this song while you are sippin on Armaretta (Trust Me, It's much more easier to float side to side in your Coolie High (But be of the legal age OR ELSE)).
Guy's Take
Although this song has countless lines about violent, misogynist lifestyles it's ironcally a very upbeat song. To clear a confusion that probably won't ever occur... the Ill Will they are referencing is a producer, so not NaS's Ill Will

3. PARK JOINT
John's Take
BREAK!!! This is the point in the album where we take our first break. Suede and Cheeba spit some fly ish over this Park Joint (get it??!!). Guy's take on this song is right on, but I don't know if you will really get into this song first time listen (lyrics a little above the backdrop). Ski does his thing with the beat and how he flips the song. But come on, the first two songs we on so much of some other level sh.., that we can just give a passerbyer's nod to this "Joint" and Keep It Moving.
Guy's Take
This is as close to a park joint that Camp Lo will ever reach. The beat fits the title, the lyrics are much too complex and vivid to be a "park" joint. The short rhymes work well.

4. B-SIDE TO HOLLYWOOD (feat. Trugoy from De La Soul)
John's Take
ALRIGHT!!! I have seen other cats take on this song and, after a couple of listens, I got into it. Yet, this is one of the albums lessen known track and you will hear why. Props to Cheeba and Trugoy for the style they flip on this track (Suede is the lyricist, but that does not always fit the track and you will hear what I am talking about when you hear this ish). Trugoy comes through with the beat for this track (Ski my have had a hand) and it is not bad effort. All in all, It's cool to see these cat's reminisce on their memories of the Black Side to Hollywood (I just got that abbrevition, you learn something new everyday).
Guy's Take
Don't know how Camp possibly pulled off a De La Soul beat... but it doesen't fit the style of the album at all... but I definitely respect the flow versitaility of both rhymers. Overall this track is a bit weak.

5. KILL EM SOFTLY
John's Take
KILLS THE VIBES!!! When other people discuss this album, they will always point this track as where the vibes come to halt on this track. Suede and Cheba have beef with this cat and they take care of business, but seems a little out place on hear. Ski provides the beat and the MC's just come for this cat with straight "snuff this cat out" lyricisim. This will grow on you, once you hear and absorb some Lowoah, and you will come to kinda of like it (in the right setting and certain mood).
Guy's Take
The title says it all.... soft beat and the lyrics are straight murder.

6. SPARKLE
John's Take
SMOOTH!!! Here we go. Now this is what I'm talkin about. Suede and Cheeba shine over this chill and late-night club backdrop provided by Ski. Suede and Cheeba just talk about the adventures of wining and dining with some bodacious female acquaintances. Hearin the song, you can kinda of picture these cats just spittin game to some fly honeys in the VIP section of the club. Ski does come correct with the beat that is just NICE, with the great use of Cal Tjader's Leyte (sounds like Roy Ayers could have played on this track (it is that chill)), and the MC's just ride this beat with a smooth, playa sweet talkin, game.
Guy's Take
This beat is like staring out into the sky without a worry in the world... and the lyrics are just beautiful. Simply amazing.
*John Q: Couldn't Have Said It Better Guy*

7. BLACK CONNECTION
John's Take
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: A STORY TOLD BY GEECHI SUEDE AND SONNY CHEEBA AND THE EXECUTION IS OUTSTANDING!!! Ski provides the brilliant backdrop, with a great use of the The Stylistic's "Love Is The Answer", and Suede and Cheeba just straight control the song. Ski gives the MC's some type of Godfather type setting for them to operate in. The constant violin playing you hear can only help you feel like you are watching (or hearing) a movie. This song is Camp Lo at their best. Tales of Underground Crook World dealings that plays like an American Gangster film. This is what you should play to hear tales of illegal business and other items. Plays like a distance cousin to Biggie's "Me & My B*tch" (IMO). After listen, you will try to BAG A, BAG A, BAG A BLACK CONNECTION!!!
Guy's Take
True hip hop fans will gravitate to this track simply because of the beat...which is easily the best off this album. Add the delivery and the lyrics... and you get one of the best songs of the 90's (not opinion, it's fact)

8. SWING (feat. Ish AKA Butterfly)
John's Take
BANGER!!! This play's like a distant cousin to previous song and, people, this is a great thing. Ski just provides a banging backdrop for Suede and Ish, that cat from Digable Planets, to flow over and man do they come correct? Answer: YEAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Suede and Ish discuss how other cats need to find their own "swing"and stop try to give them some BS swing that doesn't really swing (Read slowly and listen to song to fully understand). The drums on this track, alone, will grab you and never really let go (why so aggresive, Drums response: Blahzay blahzay blahzay). The funny thing about the guest on this album is that Camp Lo said that their influences to getting in the rap game were De La Soul and Digable Planets, so why not get them on your debut album. The Camp said they met Ish at a gas station and so this song was the result(I need to drive around so NY gas stations more often). This is the better of the influences guest appearances on the album. Don't think so? All I can say: Blahzay blahzay blahzay who name bell ring.
Guy's Take
This seems like an Pharell beat, with an abrasive drum beat which loops way too quickly. The beat subtracts from the most understandable lyrics off the whole album. Butterfly from Digable Planets spits a solid verse. Overall a decent effort.

9 ROCKIN IT' AKA SPANISH HARLEM
John's Take
ROOCCKIN IT!!! This is one of my favorite *8-*tracks off the album. How can you not get down to this?!! Ski laces the Camp with a Latin-tinged backdrop for Suede and Cheeba to vibe over. Ski has a nice sample of Loose Ends' "A Little Spice" and the Fearless Four's "Rockin It" (still wonder about the chorus, listen to this song and it will clear everything up (also used the chopping drum pattern (I think)) to give you that feeling that you are now dwelling in a Spainsh club setting. Suede and Cheeba just do the damn thing all over the track. From Suede's freaky introduction and scene desription's to Cheeba's Master of Ceremoning the crowd, this track will have you Rockin It *Said In Crowd Unison Voice*. This track makes you feel like you are in the Spainsh Harlem (said slowly, huh?!!). Guy will touch upon it later, but let's get to the title of these "AKA" tracks. I said earlier in a Camp Lo 12"post **Sidenote: A weird thing about this and some of their other songs on the their debut album, Uptown Saturday Night (yes, based on the movie form the 70's (go figure)), is that seem indecisive about what to title some of their songs so is seems if they put one title to give the song some a proper title but they put on an "AKA" to say, YO, I know this song needs a title but lets flip an AKA to say that this is how the songs feels to us. Don't believe me or (the Hype), just listen to their songs on the album that have this and come back to John Q with an apology for questioning that cat's wisdom (I think it comes from tooth)** *Funny Thing about this song is that every interview I read with Camp Lo, the one thing they say they will always regret is not releasing is "Rockin' It AKA Spainsh Harlem" as a single. If they say that then you know this song is dope, but don't take me word for it, just vibe to the track and absorb it*
** From "This Is...WHAT!!!" Post (My blog, I can quote John Q (he said it was OK))
Guy's Take
Judging by the title, Ski had to add a Latin influence to this track... but it doesen't sound very good at all.
*One Time we can differ on opinion completly on a track, but to each his own, so it's all good*

10. SAY WORD (feat. Jungle Brown)
John's Take
COMIN' AT YOU!!! The Camp get back to that Tales of Underworld dealings and all that goes along with it, along with help from their commadre, Jungle Brown. The sample for this track is great, a bit unsual, but geat nonetheless. This track has a "Krystal Karrington" vibe to it. Look, my brother loves this track (acutally loves the album and he does not even really listen to rap), so their you go. Ski provides the abrasive backdrop for the Camp to spit about their dealings and everything works well on this track. It might take a couple listens to get into though...
Guy's Take
A very strange song, but it sounds real good... I like the vocal sample being featured in the beat too... it sounds like Kanye West's "Wouldn't Get Far". This is a very refreshing track. It might take a while to get warmed up to though.

11. NEGRO LEAGUES (feat. Bones & Karachi R.A.W.)
John's Take
HAUNTING!!! This is all that comes to mind when I hear this track. Ski provides a dark landscape with creepy piano keys and unsettling Halloween feel that the MC's are provided with to operate in. The Camp's required Posse cut is not bad though. Though the Guest MC's, especially Karachi, can becoming a little annoying after a while. This song about the ghostly precess they can shake cats with. Actually, the title kinda says it all, so take the song for what it's worth and take from it what you want.
Guy's Take
A posse cut, that turns out fairly well... all I can really say.

12. NICKY BARNES AKA IT'S ALRIGHT (feat. Jungle Brown)
John's Take
OKAY!!! The Camp get back to what they know: underworld dealings, with assistance from their partner in crime, Jungle Brown. Cheeba sticks to what he knows, Freaky Sex and underworld dealings and Suede comes with through with it, and Jungle decides to control the spot with his tales. Ski provides the nice backdsrop with the good use of Issac Hayes' (RIP, Sweet Soul Brother) "Walk From Regio's". Looking at track's title, you know what this song is about. For those who don't, it is a nod to those underworld kingpins who run this (it's alright). You can picture this setting of the Camp & Jungle sitting at a table with their underworld illegal buisness runners telling their tales of heisting and other things.
Guy's Take
This is another one of those eternally optimistic "Rapper's Delight-esque" tracks... it's fairly difficult to get past that message, but you may uncover some tight lines on this track.

13. BLACK NOSTALJACK AKA COME ON
John's Take
GROOOOVVVE!!! Another Great track for the Camp. Ski provides a lush landscape for MC's to vibe on. I love's how Ski flipped Curtis Mayfield's (Soul Legend) Tripping Out and he does Bob James "Nautilus" (he still makes money off this track to this day). Suede and Cheeba just groove to the track (gueesing that the first words that came to them is the chorus (don't belive me, FINE, I don't believe you too (soory for that, we still cool??!!)). This track will take you back to the sweetbadass days of th 70's. The radio edit to this track switches up some lines for the chorus and it sounds great. The is a tribute to the whole 70's era vibe they operate on and the video for the song only makes it that much better with cameo's from Jimmie Walker and Bern Nadette Stanis reprising their roles from GOOD TIMES (say in song voice, sounds so much better). FUN-ny thing about this song is thay they really did want to release song as a single (look at Rockin It for what they wanted), but the company convinced them to release this as third and final single. So if from the ____, Come on (plays song in Soul Train party atmosphere).
Guy's Take
What is with this AKA ______ shit? The A.K.A. is always the last few words from the hook... this song tries to be nostalgic... it succeeds in some senses and fails in others. The "if your from ______ come on" message has been present in hip-hop from the beginning. The jazz on this track tries to be nostalgic but is in no way prevalent enough to succeed, and the weak ass Big L reference "I practice Gun Fu" does not succeed at all. Damn even 10 years ago people were "Gettin Fly"
*Another instance were opinion on song differs greatly, but don't worry, we still cool after we brawl for two days and two nights on what we think of song*

14. COOLIE HIGH
John's Take
AMAZZINGGG!!!! This track is just unbelievable and you will understand when you hear the song. SKI must be given the best props I can possibly give providing a great backdrop for the Camp to spit game over. I don't know how he flipped Janet Jackson's Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun) into this joint, but what a producer. It beats like this that makes me believe Ski was one of the top notch producers of 90's (and lookin back at Hip-Hop in the 90's, that's quite a compliment). Geechi Suede and Sonny Cheeba flow's over this track is perfect and give them credit, they know when to put the effort into a good track. I am amazed to this day that this song got airplay and that's actually a good suprise. Classic rap single of the 90's. Think of this song as you spit your game to Queen Bee that eye spots for you. **Sidenote: This is song that caught the attention of Profile records, because the Camp recorded a demo of this song and the record company was "Feelin It" (those who know what I'm talkin bout with that phrase, throw your istols in the air), but ask for something that would seal the seal. So Ski went back to the studio and quickly created "Luchini" and the rest, as they say is history (I Love Redundancy like I love Kool-Aid, I Love Redundancy like I love Kool-Aid, I Love...) (Kids, understand the two single rule of hip-hop if you want your album to get the crowd's attention.)**
** Information from Interview Ski did with Dan Love of From Da Bricks.
Guy's Take
How ironic is it that this track was a single? Camp Lo actually selects a good song for a single. This reperesents everything that is right in hip-hop. Another one of the best songs of the 90's.... and I don't throw terms like that around all the time.

15. SPARKLE (MR. MIDNIGHT MIX)
John's Take
LOWER THE EQ!!!! Funny thing about this song is it is the same as "Sparkle" but all they did was lower the EQ!! It is really a spoken word type of vibe and nothing really changes from the original. It's all good, but hearing this it seems like this added a bonus cut album right before they finished putting out the album. Seems like album ends with Coolie High. Trust Me, hear the song and you will see what I mean.
Guy's Take
A mix isn't supposed to be acapella... it's the same as Track 6.

Final Thoughts:
John's Take
Uptown Saturday Night is a GREAATTT (Tony The Tiger came lookin to beat Down Captain Crunch, the Cereal busines ain't no joke) listen to this day. Even with some of the complaints one may have for this album, overall it is one best albums you will hear from Hip-Hop. This is one album I can constantly listen to from start to finish and love every moment of it. I read at the Smoking Section overview of the album of **the type basement party vibe the album has, sounding like the lyricism of Only Built For a Cuban Link... mixed with the sonic backdrop of Midnight Marauders** and man are those words fitting for this album. This is one of my favorite albums in music and that more than anything says a lot about the album. Camp Lo has since released two more albums but they don't reach the vibes they had on their first album, but still check them it (cause it's all good, because it's love, love, forever).
** Jimmy Valentine words on Uptown Saturday Night
Guy's Take
To conclude, this is one of the best albums released in the 90's, as proof I will offer this cute little antecdote. I began doing reviews as a reason to go through the albums I had not heard for a while, and ones I have never heard... I have more than 25,000 songs in my library. Problem is I only have an 80 GB Zune, so I need to delete at least 7,000 tracks. So I've been getting rid of intros, interludes, outros... and bad tracks. Most albums have been slashed in half by the dictatorial delete button... but this is the first album in which I was unable to delete one song... this album goes hard the whole way... there are a few misteps along the way, but the successes are much more prevalent. I strongly recommend this album to anyone who will read this review... one love.

So without further ado, Camp Lo's Uptown Saturday Night:

Mediafire Link

A Little Sum-Something to Go Along With That:

Camp Lo - Uptown Saturday Night [The Samples]

Tracklisting:

Dynasty - Adventures In The Land Of Music ['Luchini AKA This Is What']
Deodato - September 13 [Park Joint]
Eddie Bo - Hook and Sling [B-Side To Hollywood]
Cal Tjader - Leyte [Sparkle]
The Stylistics - Love Is The Answer [Black Connection]
Loose Ends - A Little Spice [Rockin' It AKA Spainsh Harlem]
Issac Hayes - Walk From Regio's [Nicky Barnes AKA It's Alright]
Bob James - Nautilus [Black Nostaljack AKA Come On]
Curtis Mayfield - Tripping Out [Black Nostaljack AKA Come On]
Janet Jackson - Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun) [Coolie High]
Skull Snaps - It's A New Day [Coolie High]

Megaupload Link

(Courtesy of Goons Dancing Under Full Moons. He put the set together, put up the link and did all that gibs. All credit mus be given to Alex of Goons Dancing. Stop by his place sometime, you will dig the sounds.)

Camp Lo - B-Sides, Rarities, and Other Ish From Uptown Saturday Night Era

Tracklisting:

Baby Mother (Mama for those with so much soul)
Baby Mother (Mama for those with so much soul) (Instrumental)
Feelin' It (Demo)
Coolie High (Demo)
Bubblin' (Anita Demo)
Coolie High (Red Handed's Tapemasters Remix)
Coolie High (Instrumental)
World Heist
Coolie High (Paradise Remix) (Vocal)
Coolie High (Paradise Remix) (Instrumental)
Coolie High (Geoslide Remix)
Luchini (Instrumental)
Luchini (Remix) (Street)
Luchini (Remix) (Instrumental)
Black Nostaljack AKA Come On (Instrumental)
Black Nostaljack AKA Come On (Kid Capri Mix Tape Remix Street Version)
Black Nostaljack AKA Come On (Kid Capri Mix Tape Remix Instrumental)
Black Nostaljack (Xenobia Remix)
Black Nostaljack (Xenobia Instrumental)
Luchini (AKA This Is It) (Lemon D Remix)
Black Nostaljack (AKA Come On) (Breakbeat Science Remix)
Stretch Armstrong Freestyle

Mediafire Link 1

&

Mediafire Link 2

(Courtesy of Lyrics to Go. This took forever to put together with some secret techinques to obtain some of the songs. Some of these songs you will not find anywhere else (I checked, so don't play that game). So appreciate this drop and try not to put links on other website without giving credit where credit is due)

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

(Don't know when I'm going to come back, this post took a lot out of me)

Please Leave a Comment (You Know I would appreciate that so much).

"Sweet Soul Brother"

2008-08-10T17:43:00.007-04:00

Reports Say:

"On August 10, 2008, Hayes' wife found him on the floor near a treadmill inside his home located just east of Memphis, Tennessee. A Shelby County, Tennessee sheriff's deputy responded to Hayes' home. He was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, where he was pronounced dead at 2:08pm, at the age of 65. The cause of death was not immediately known and foul play has not been suspected."

From Issac Hayes' Wikipedia page

Man, The tragic weekend just has no end to to it. Condolences, Thoughts, and Prayers to Issac Hayes Family, Friends and Plenty of fans.

As said in a Pete Rock & CL Smooth song:

"Sweet Soul Brother #1"

We lose a music legend on Earth, But God gains a man who he can jam with forever.

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

*What a Depressing Weekend*

"No One Could Do It Better"

2008-08-09T13:55:00.009-04:00

Reports say:

"Comedic actor Bernie Mac has died today at the age of 50. According to his publicist, Danica Smith, Mac had been suffering from pneumonia brought on by sarcoidosis for about a week, although it was believed initially that he would make a full recovery. However on August 2, 2008, a day after Mac was hospitalized, a family member was quoted as saying that Mac was in "very, very critical" condition."

From Wikinews

Man and to hear about the tragedy at the Olympic games, what is the world coming to. Condolences, Thoughts, and Prayers to Bernie Mac's Family, Friends, and Plenty of Fans and Prayers and Thoughts to that American family in China.

Like The D.O.C. said:

"No One Could Do It Better"

and, truly no one probably will.

We lose a king on Earth, but Heaven gains one, so heres to all the smiles you will provide in eternity.

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those
cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

"Random Music Drop Vol. II"

2008-08-07T12:00:00.003-04:00

Due to popular (or unpopular depending on how you see the glass), the random music drop has made a triumphant return. *Crow Appluase* Thnak you, thank you, I know the high demand for it, so I decided I had to follow up with a sequel, so here we go.....

INI (feat. Pete Rock) - Fakin Jax 12"
NICE. Pete Rock laces INI with the best track of thier *all too brief* career. INI was group that was signed to Pete's upstart label and they made an dope, but unfortunately unreleased album until at least a EIGHT YEARS LATER. Getting back to the song, Pete Rock just kills on prudction with a track that has zoning out and bugged vibe to it. Pete has a nice sample of Mobb Deep's Havoc's line from "Give Up The Goods". Pete Rock starts things of with a simple, but pleasing verse and INI takes the reigns from there. (INI MC's to clue you in) Rass, Rob-O, and Grap Luva(Pete Rock's younger brother) mixes up nicley with the song that talks to all the BS acts that stay fakin jax. The 12" consist of another song of thier unreleased album that took EIGHT YEARS TO RELEASE and consists of remixes, instrumentals, and a acapella to "Fakin Jax". Actually, lookin at some current events in Hip-Hop, I am going to play this track again to stay leveled. *Interesting Sidenote: Pete Rock's first verse is directed a CL Smooth. This was just after they broke and he airs out his grivances about his his issues with CL. * And you wonder why they won't record together (on good terms I mean).

Craig Mack - Get Down (Remix) 12''
AW YEAHHH!!! Craig Mack is interesting figure in this U-N-I-Verse we call "Hip-Hop". His success can be lent to some fortunate hook-ups in the rap game and he was Diddy's prized act on and an up and coming label named "Bad-Boy". Mack then dropped the infinitely dope "Flava In Ya Ear' and he soon became, for a short time, one of Hip-hop's dopest act. Look, let's get this out the way, hewas not going to top Flava in Ya Ear (EASY MO BEE WHERE YOU BE THESE DAAAYYSSS), but he did not necesaarily have to. Mack was on top of the world and Puffy decided to record a remix (with a great video (look for the intro)) and this cat named The Notorious B.I.G. straight killed the first verse and so went Mack's career. He probably was not the same after hearing that (most people weren't), but at least he got to witness greatness in it's prime. Mack did continue to drop singles after "Flava in Ya Ear", but most people lost interest in him. I was not one of those people and here we are with his "Get Down (Remix)" single. Q-Tip does the song justice with a spacey backdrop with some banging drums. Mack's verses does not really change from the original, but it does not have to. With lines like "I'm incredible, betta eat ya vegetables" and "Ima reign, reign forever, reign like bad weaher" you know you have a hit. The 12" consists of the original song with instrumentals and an radio edit. Craig Mack, where ever the Hell you at, thanks for being whateva the Hell you were back in the mid 90s.

Souls of Mischief - 93' Til Infinity
INFINITY! THis song will always be the one of the dopest things you hear in your life, Souls of Mischief dropped a gem in 93' (I know funny how the year it dropped mataches the songs title). Souls of Mischief ran with Hieroglyphics crew that consisted of rappers Casual and Del The Funky Homosapien. Souls were part of that underground scene in the mid 90s from the west coast (read that were Gang banging thugs everyone else were). So they were in the same camp as the Pharycde and both crews were dope. Getting back to their song, this track is just chilled with backdrop the seems endless and the MC's prove thier worth on the track. The great thing about htis song is that it was produce by one of the group members, A-Plus. The MC' s don't really outshine each, but more just seem vibe on the same level and keep it comfortable that way. Man, why don't hear tracks like this anymore (says this disappointly as he moves on his way).....

Gil-Scott Heron - Pieces of A Man
ORIGINATOR! Gil-Scott Heron is a legend musician who is held in high rap amongst rappers because, along with the Last Poets, he is the earliest musician that had some type of rap techinque to his music. Don't believe me, don't be suprised if you don't see to many people on tv mention his importance because the revolution will not be televised (Yeah). Heron released this gem of an album in the early 70's and man what an album. The album, and Heron, is most well known for "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", but the album was filled with so many great songs that had so meaning to it. I mean a track like "Save The Children" (which has echoes of Marvin Gaye) and Pieces of A Man really can really speak to the soul of someone. I Hope that people who visit this blog understand that appreciating what came before you gives you a better aprreciation for what you have today and what you could have tommorow.

So Without Further ado, here is the Random Music Drop - Vol 2

INI - Fakin Jax

1 Fakin Jax (Album Version-Clean) (4:26)
2 Fakin Jax (Bop Ya Head Remix-Clean) (4:50)
Rap [Featuring] - Meccalicious
3 Fakin Jax (Album Instrumental) (4:26)
4 Props (Album Version-Clean) (4:43)
5 Fakin Jax (Bop Ya Head Remix-Instrumental) (4:50)
6 Fakin Jax (Album Version Acappella) (4:07)

Medaifire Link

Craig Mack - Get Down (Remix)

1 Get Down (Radio Edit) (3:50)
2 Get Down (Q-Tip Remix) (3:58)
Rap [Featuring] - Q-Tip
3 Get Down (Instrumental) (3:57)
4 Get Down (Club Mix) (3:53)
5 Get Down (Q-Tip Remix Instrumental) (3:57)

Mediafire Link

Souls of Mischief - 93' Til Infinity

1 93 'til Infinity (LP Version) (4:46)
2 93 'til Infinity (Remix) (4:40)
3 93 'til Infinity (LP Instrumental) (4:48)
4 93 'til Infinity (Remix Instrumental) (4:40)
5 Disseshowedo (3:59)

Mediafire Link

Gil-Scott Heron - Pieces of A Man

1 The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (3:06)
2 Save The Children (4:26)
3 Lady Day And John Coltrane (3:35)
4 Home Is Where The Hatred Is (3:20)
5 When You Are Who You Are (3:21)
6 I Think I'll Call It Morning (3:30)
7 Pieces Of A Man (4:52)
8 A Sign Of The Ages (4:01)
9 Or Down You Fall (3:12)
10 The Needle's Eye (4:49)
11 The Prisoner (9:25)

Mediafire Link

Digable Planets - Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) [The Samples]

2008-07-28T14:00:00.001-04:00

"Our funk zooms like we hit the Mary Jane." Here is another sample set courtesy of John Q & Ivan, of Hip Hop Is Read,with some more swing for the masses. Digable Planets Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space), released September 27, 1993, was the crew's unique introduction to the world. The crew would vibe on abstract thoughts of their place in the universe and digging on where their stance was within the world. The other thoughts touched upon this album was abortion rights (La Femme Fetal), how their sound (and themselves) originate from the everywhere (Where I'm From), What The Mind is (Time & Space), and of course, how cool they are (Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)). The DPs rely quite favorably on a variety of samples to fill out their sound. The samples range from jazz staples such as Sonny Rollins and Herbie Hancock to soul andr&b staples such as Kool & The Gang and Curtis Mayfield. The samples give the album a sparse and wide spectrum for the DPs to dwell within.

So, with all that said, enjoy a great sample set (Trust Me, you like the way the music sounds, I guarantee it(again)). Big Ups to Ivan for setting up the stuff to make this look so good. Hell, this is all Ivan and he let me have some room in this project. so without further ado, here is Digable Planets - Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) [The Samples]:

Usercash Link

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

"Woke Up Early On My Born Day"

2008-07-22T17:11:00.002-04:00

*Kool & The Gang Plays in the Background*

Actually Woke Up, a little Late on my Born day,
I'm ____ as I....

You Know what it is

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

"Random Music Drop - Vol. 1"

2008-07-21T13:00:00.005-04:00

Today, I feel in the mood to do one of those "What The Heck" post and just go with the flow (said in Doom Voice). So, I guess this is the start of something new for the masses. Who knows I may continue to switch things up until I can only stay one side????!!!!!!

ANn-NIE-WHOO (Said In Arnold Schwarzenegger Voice (Trust Me, Adds More Comedic effect and so much more fun)), lets delve into the subject of today's post. Coming Up to bat, from who knows where (and who gives a damn), let's here for Random Dope A*S Music Drops (The fans start to cheer). Do you know where I am goin with this? *shakes head in a confused manner* Good, cause niether Do I!!!!! So let's see what John Q has up the shirt (with no sleeves):

Dr. Dre & Snoop Doggy Dogg - Deep Cover 12"
I CAN FEEL IT!!! Man, tell where you at when you first heard those words and that bumping a*s beat drop. Dre drops a gem with production duties for this track, that was for the Deep Cover movie (yeah, kinda of remember seeing it). This track is what you play before you handle your business (in stock marketing that is (says it with a straight face ready to break chrarter like Jimmy Fallon (and yet he still became a success, oh how the mighty have fallen (looking in SNL's direction))). Ther most amazing thing about this track is not even the banging production, but the introduction of this cat (or dog, the choice is yours) named "Snoop Doogy Dogg. Whonder how long he was going to keep that name, but him and Dre straight tear up this track and there whole style over this track was a hint of what great things were to come for the Back-To-The-Future.......

Urban Thermo Dynamics - Manifest Destiny 12"
YOUNG (AND UNPOLISHED) MIGHTY MOS DEF!!! This is what probably comes to mind when everyone thinks of this crew (or is that just me (Hmm...)). Anyway, I did not really get into the U.T.D.'s debut (and only) album because um i had to go and fix the car, then take out the trash, then mow the lawn, and then... wait hold on, I am not giving my girl excuses for not picking up the horn, just excuses for not listening to a UTD album, my bad... Anywho, remember those excuses for later, they may be helpful (or detrimental (see there I go again torn better how things will trun out, like those books that tell you to go one page for one path of the story and go to another for a different path). Ok, but all off-tangent thoughts aside, I just haven't listened to their album, yet. But, I have heard this 12" release (of course), and it is pretty solid. Diamond D laces UTD with a beat he had on his dope "Stunts, Blunts, & Hip-Hop" debut album (Hip-Hop is like that, Trust Me) abd us us nice to hear that beat utilized fully (The beat was used on the fairly quick on that album). Mos, Ces (his sister), and DCQ (his Brother) (It's A Family Affair), come correct on this track with Mos, shockingly, standing out as the premier MC in this crew (although you can't front on Ces). The 12" contains insturmentals and J-Swift, of Pharycde Fame, drops his remix of this track with good effort. Funny how Mos does not really get into this part of career today (I Means discussing his past musical endeavors).

Crooklyn Dodgers - Crooklyn 12"
NEVER TAKING SHORTS CUZ BROOKLYN IS THE BOROUGH!!! This song should be include in every mixtape that explores Brooklyn's Hip Hop history (yes, it is that good).Where to beign with this song, umm.. the production. The haunting, evocative beat comes courtesy of ... A Tribe Called Quest. Huh. This is the word that came to mind when I first leanred this. The soundscape the tribe provides here is a departure from the sounds that they crafted around this time and this record sort of harkens more a "Low End Theory" Sound, than the "Midnight Maruaders" they came out with around this time (This is 94 we talks about (Top 2 Hip-Hop Year, but that's for another time). Looking back, I should not be so shocked the Tribe produeced this gem (I mean, Tip wore a Crooklyn sweater in "Electric Relaxation" video for goodness sake). Tip and Ali did some great work back in the days. The Lyricists chosen fo rthis track did more than this fare share to do the beat justice. Speical Ed (He Still Got it Made), Masta Ace (where's the Biz) and Buckshot (Still Got Da Props) come in full effect on this record. Speical Ed comes in with that madmamn, nonsense sh*t, I from Brooklyn attitude that a lot of cats rocked in the 90's (and may still rock to this day). Who can Masta Ace's description of the cats you used to watch on the tele in the 70's (Rerun and Roger down in the block from Dwayne (he had a Glock and selling Rock??!!)). Buckshot comes through with that relaxed, reflective to provide ablance amongst the three MCs. Man they don't collabos like this anymore (says this in disapponinted tone)!!!

Miles Davis - In A Silent Way
BEAUTIFUL SILENCE!!! DID you really think that this post (or Blog, for that matter) would just be restricted to Hip Hop Music. Wait, you did??!! OK, now go and slap you self silly for limiting your range of music. Don't you know to grow, is to expand your verizon, I Mean, HORIZON, yeah, that's what I meant. By now, You should know who Miles Davis is and what he is to jazz. You know that reinventing thing Uncle L and The Material Girl do every thirty seconds, well Miles Davis did that before sh*t ethier one knew about how to fully utilize their musicial skills. Miles Davis has so many seminal albums, with his best being "Kind of Blue", but my favorite Jazz album by him is "In A Silent Way". This album is just a thing of beauty to bestow upon the ears. The album has two pieces to its composition. "Shh/Peaceful" is the first composition full of a mellow and chill vibe with John McLaughlin, the guitairist, playing the a elegant riffs on his guitar and Miles comes in cool, but peacfully (see what I did there) playing and everthing just jells on this track. "In a Silent Way/It's About That Time: In a Silent Way/It's About Time" is the second, and final composition of this record and is the track to behold. It takes a while to start up, but when it does, Joe Zawinul, the keyboradist, will entrance into his world will his brief solo on the keys, and Miles comes in later, like the Cool cat he was, and play into the scene as everyone else joins in as the track progress. "In A Silent Way" is what you play at night to admire the secrets and beuaty it holds within itself (Play it, Relax, and See for yourself)

So Without Further adom here is the Random Music Drop - Vol 1:

Dr. Dre - Deep Cover

1 Deep Cover (U-N-C-E-N-S-O-R-E-D) (4:27)
2 Deep Cover (Radio Version) (3:48)
3 Deep Cover (Instrumental) (3:54)
4 Deep Cover (187 Remix) (3:35)

Mediafire Link

Urban Thermo Dynamics - Manifest Destiny

1 Manifest Destiny (Diamond's Clean Radio Edit) (4:10)
2 Manifest Destiny (Diamond's Dirty Version) (4:42)
3 Manifest Destiny (Diamond's Instrumental) (4:42)
4 Manifest Destiny (J-Swift's Clean Radio Edit) (4:10)
5 Manifest Destiny (J-Swift's Dirty Version) (5:10)
6 Manifest Destiny (J-Swift's Instrumental) (5:10)

Mediafire Link

Crooklyn Dodgers - Crooklyn

1 Crooklyn (Baseball Mix) (4:32)
2 Crooklyn (Full Mix) (4:34)
3 Crooklyn (Acapella) (4:20)
4 Crooklyn (Instrumental) (4:28)

Mediafire Link

Miles Davis - In A Silent Way

1 Shhh / Peaceful (18:30)
2 In A Silent Way/It's About That Time (20:00)

Mediafire Link

Digable Planets - Blowout Comb [The Samples]

2008-07-14T17:10:00.001-04:00

"We Jettin, We Jettin, We Jettin Everywhere!!!!" Here is another sample set courtesy of John Q & Ivan, of Hip Hop Is Read,with some swing for the masses. Digable Planets Blowout Comb, released October 18, 1994,was the second album by this crew. The crew looked to progress deeper into their beliefs and discuss where they come from (BROOKLYN (said in Mos Def voice)). The crew abandoned the sample heavy (kinda of) reliance of their first album, Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space), for more live instrumentation with some samples thrown into the mix. This gives the album a fuller and richer feel to it than the abstract and sparse sound of the first album. From Roy Ayers (always a staple in Hip Hop sampling) to Bobbi Humphrey, this album is deep in music that ranges from jazz to soul to even a little music you may not expect the DP's to sample.

So, with all that said, enjoy a great sample set (Trust Me, you like the way the music sounds, I guarantee it). Big Ups to Ivan for setting up the stuff to make this look so good. So without further ado, here is Digable Planets - Blowout Comb [Samples]:.

Megaupload Link

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those cats that never bug out to the extreme

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

"I Be to Rap, What Key Be To Lock"

2008-07-08T17:49:00.000-04:00

AND WERE BACK!!!! Thank you folks for joining our program in progress. Now Tiger Woods lines up for the putt on the 18th and, yes, this is for the championship. Tiger goes up to putt and... he MAKES IT, HE MAKES IT. Now the interview goes over to Tiger and asks him "Is there anyone who you would like to thank for this". Tiger: "Yes, I would like to thank family, friends and that cat with the dope blog. Um what's that place again...OH..Lyrics to Go (said in chorus like voice like Tip's).

That scenario for above was brought to you by the letters LTG and any number that comes to mind. ANNNKNEEETHEWHOOO, lets get back into this thang called blogging. Today on the menu we got some cats on operate on some other world vibe. But, these are some of the flyest people yous may ever meet. Still, have no idea of who I am digging (*HINT, MOTHERFING, HINT*) on. Well then Scroll on down (said in Bob Barker Voice manner):

DIGABLE PLANETS (said in children unison voice). I would get into their story but you don't want that. Oh wait you do. Well, one day... yada yada yada, blasha, blasha, blasha (Listen to CAMP LOWOAH, Trust Me), Look if you visit this blog you know these cats. Digable Planets style was basically in thier music: Laid back easing over tracks that usually had crpytic meanings (Think of the Field of Ms. Badu, just a little more easing). The tracks had some jazz to it that you felt like you could be a jazz club as you listened to their music (or at lieast I feeelss like that at times).

The group is a Trio of MCs consist of Butterfly, Doodlebug, and Ladybug Mecca. These three cats could straight up flow and a unique thing about this group is that the female MC (who is a Dime) was arguably the best MC in the group (Think Fugees, but earlier and not a lot singing). The group is most well known for their first album Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) and the hit single it spawned: Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat). With that, This leads us into the subject of today's post: The Planets 12"s from their First Album.

*Sidenote: As much as people like ther first album, I actually like thier second album better for they grew as artist and you could hear that, but more on that in a future post*

Up to Bat First:

Digable Planets - Rebirth of Slick(Cool Like Dat) 12"
This is the is the song the crew is most well known for (I mean everytime someone remebers them they say "Didn't they make "Cool Like Dat" and not really remeber the songs title"). This is one of, if not, the best song released by said planets. Butterfly was one of the main producers on the album and had to have a hand in this song's production creation. This song is just drenched in slickness. The bass kicks in and you have just entered onto another world. The Horns only add to the chill vibe of the world and the MCs can't help but just sweat themselves for how fly the be. Butterfly, Ladybug Mecca, and Doodlebug all zone on how cool they be and actually show off how what style of rapping the each of them encase as MCs. Everything, the production and Mcs, just mesh so well and it is no wonder this is the biggest hits by the Planets. This is proabably the most accessible these cats would be to the general public and this songs popularity propelled as foreruneers in the rap game (for a brief time) because they were non-threating and different from the norm of the rap game (in a certain way). Hey, they won a grammy for this song, so it was all good. The B-Side just featured remixes that could be considerd hit or misses, but hey, the attraction should be the song itself.

Digable Planets - Where I From 12"
The next single released by the Planets. This song was not as popular as their previousm but no less dope than their first single. The production on this track, is again, great (with the gutiar licks throw in for good measure) and the MC's just flow on where the be from. I like how they so general on this track on the topic of where the orginate from they say things that you can't really connect to one place. Look, they say they come from everywhere. *Sidenote - It is funny how much they repped NY, when none of them were bron or grew up in the NYC. The point here is that go to NYC and tell me you are the same person when you leave (someone tries to tell me something, but one stern look and they cut nonsense out). The 12" features remixes and the Ohridgnal (that's how they wrote it) with some bonus beats and..and a bonus song (you may digs it). Preety Dope 12" IMO.

Digable Planets - Nickel Bags
The Final Single released by the DP's. This is actually one of my favorite songs by them. Now, if you could not tell the connection the planets had with that Chronic, then you did not really listen to the album (actually, maybe you did not have it, so go cop that, and the second album, NOW).This song is so smooth with the MCs going at how they get lifted off "Nickel Bags of... Funk" see what they did there. They step correct on this track just not really getting to deep into things and just vibing off the music. The production is sweet with that repeated drum kick (i may be wrong and flute sounds just to add to airyness of the song (airyness not a word, don't give a DAMNNN (Said In Chris Tucker Smokey Voice)). The B-Side is actaully something different with a song from their album, Appointment At The Fat Clinic. The song has a fading horn sound with some crashing drums and other things you may hear, as the DPS digging on Jazz and it's stance in the rap game and also going on whatever came to mind (trust Me, When you hear this song you will believe Butterfly and Ladybug just freestlyed over the track.) Another Cool 12" by the DPs, Anyway!!!

So here is the:

Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) 12"
Where I'm From 12"
Nickel Bags 12"

and, of couuurrrseee, a little sum-something extra:

Digable Planets - Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)

Digable Planets - Where I'm From (Remix Video)

Digable Planets - Nickel Bags

So now, the main event you have been waiting for (or just skipped down to download, but if you do this, leave a comment or ELSE (just kidding, but seriously, In James Earl Jones voice, have some message for John Q on this or any other post you feeel freee to discuss, it's all goooood):

Digable Planets - Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat) 12"
1 Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat) (Crashing Giant Step Mix) (4:34)
2 Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat) (Crashing Instymix) (4:34)
3 Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat) (Uh-Oh Planet Earth Albumix) (4:22)
4 Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat) (Uh-Oh Planet Earth Instymix) (4:22)
*5 Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat) (Ohridgnal)
*6 Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat) (Instrumix)

*Sidenote: These are not on the original 12", but I included them becuase if you really like the song, you would want original and the instrumental to it, wouldn't you?

Mediafire

Digable Planets - Where I'm From 12"
1 Where I'm From (Aural G. Ride 12") (4:48)
2 Where I'm From (Ohridgnal 12") (4:30)
3 Where I'm From (Aural G. Ride Novox Mix) (4:48)
4 Where I'm From (DJ Boneus Beats) (2:07)
5 Califlower (Spiddyocks Go West) (3:43)

Mediafire

Digable Planets - Nickel Bags 12"
1 Nickel Bags (Albumix) (3:23)
2 Nickel Bags (Sneak A Beshu) (5:22)
3 Nickel Bags (Instymix) (3:23)
4 Appointment At The Fat Clinic (Albumix) (3:22)
5 Appointment At The Fat Clinic (Instymix) (3:22)
6 Nickel Bags Of Bites (3:23)

Mediafire

The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde [The Samples]

2008-07-02T12:48:00.000-04:00

From John Q:
Hitting you cats up with another gem. This set comes courtesy of yours truly and Kevin, of Kevin!Nottingham: This Is Real Hip Hop. This set may have been one of the most difficult in compiling (checks spelling later) becuase some of these tracks can only found in places where Jimmy Hoffa resides. The production on this track is truly Bizzare, but amazing. J-Swift provides the listener witha dense and jazzy spectrum to ride through (see what I didi there with the ride and the.. aw never mind). The intro for the album sets the tone and some of the samples for the album truly suprised me like, of course Jimmy Hendrix, and Stanley Cowell. J-Swift also play quite a few instruments on the album like the piano and he had some help on the drums from a fellow producer.

Look, this is one of the best sets I have put together, in tag-team with Kev Nottingham, and everyone should cop this set. So enjoy folks until the next set!!!!

From Kevin:
John Q from Lyrics To Go hit us up again with another sweet sample set! Like other 90s back packer albums from artists such as De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde make great use of old jazz and funk samples. I found it extremely interesting that they sampled Madhouse, which if you don't know was a jazz band Prince put together in the 80s.

Bizarre Ride featured the acclaimed production work of J-Swift, who provides the album with a lush, jazzy soundscape through use of live instrumentation and sampling. Aside from the samples, Swift also provided piano, as well as, bass on the album, and fellow producer JMD provided drums arrangements. All Music Guide calls the album's production "easily some of the tightest and most inventive of any hip-hop record of the era." NME magazine stated, "The Pharcyde use jazz samples and phat beats to the ultimate effect: to create their own sonic Utopia.".

This collection right here should be in everybody's library as it is in itself a library of great music. Just check the tracklist, download, and see for yourself!

"Beale Street" by Donald Byrd
- Sampled in "Oh Shit"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Pot Belly" by Lou Donaldson
- Sampled in "4 Better or 4 Worse"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Blind Alley" by David Porter
- Sampled in "4 Better or 4 Worse"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Rockin' Funky Watergate" by James Brown
- Sampled in "4 Better or 4 Worse"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" by James Brown
- Sampled in "I'm That Type of Nigga"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Maybe The Last Time" by James Brown
- Sampled in "I'm That Type of Nigga"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Pass The Peas" by The J.B.'s
- Sampled in "I'm That Type of Nigga"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Givin' Up Food For Funk" by The J.B.'s
- Sampled in "I'm That Type of Nigga"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Sing A Simple Song" by Sly & Family Stone
- Sampled in "I'm That Type of Nigga"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Put Your Love (In My Tender Care)" by The Fatback Band
- Sampled in "Soul Flower (Remix)"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Hey! Last Minute" by The Meters
- Sampled in "On The DL"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Travelin Man" by Stanley Cowell
- Sampled in "On The DL"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Equipoise" by Stanley Cowell
- Sampled in "On The DL"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Maiden Voyage" by Ramsey Lewis
- Sampled in "Officer"
- Produced by J-Swift

"The Mighty Quinn" by Ramsey Lewis
- Sampled in "Officer"
- Produced by J-Swift

"The Grunt" by James Brown
- Sampled in "Officer"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Funky Drummer" by James Brown
- Sampled in "Officer"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos" by Public Enemy
- Sampled in "Officer"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Countdown to Armageddon" by Public Enemy
- Sampled in "Officer"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Season of The Witch" by Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Stephen Stills
- Sampled in "Ya Mama"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss
- Sampled in "Ya Mama"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Good Stuff" by Mel Brown
- Sampled in "Ya Mama"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Yes We Can Can" by Young-Holt Unlimited
- Sampled in "Ya Mama"
- Produced by J-Swift

"I Don't Know What This World Is Coming To" by The Soul Children
- Sampled in "Ya Mama"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Summer In The City" by Quincy Jones
- Sampled in "Passin Me By"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Are You Experienced" by Jimi Hendrix
- Sampled in "Passin Me By"
- Produced by J-Swift

"It's a New Day" by Skull Snaps
- Sampled in "Passin Me By"
- Produced by J-Swift

"The Third Eye" by Roy Ayers
- Sampled in "Passin Me By"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Hill Where the Lord Hides" by Eddie Russ *
- Sampled in "Passin Me By"
- Produced by J-Swift

"125th Street Congress" by Weather Report
- Sampled in "Passin Me By"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Friends" by Whodini
- Sampled in "Passin Me By"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Today" by Herbie Mann
- Sampled in "Otha Fish"
- Produced by L.A. Jay & SlimKid 3

"Since I Had You" by Marvin Gaye
- Sampled in "Otha Fish"
- Produced by L.A. Jay & SlimKid 3

"Bijou" by Herbie Mann
- Sampled in "Pack The Pipe"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Autumn Serenade" by John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman
- Sampled in "Pack The Pipe"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Exquistion" by Cannonball Adderley Quintet
- Sampled in "Pack The Pipe"
- Produced by J-Swift

"Two" by Madhouse
- Sampled in "Return of The B-Boy"
- Produced by J-Swift

"The Show" by Doug E. Fresh
- Sampled in "Return of The B-Boy"
- Produced by J-Swift

"The Roof Is on Fire" by Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic Three
- Sampled in "Return of The B-Boy"
- Produced by J-Swift

Download

A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm [The Samples]

2008-06-26T20:47:00.000-04:00

What a Title for a post. Hey, Try saying that tres times really twista like. Wait, you did and you were kinda of successful. Man, I need to catch up with the times or maybe time needs to catch up to me (Hmmmm???!!!)

Anywho, Man I really need to stay on time with the blogging scene. I will try to become more decdicated. Stop laughing, I am serious like jones (see what I did there with the whole serious and jones thing, yeah lets move along). This sample set comes courtesy of John Q's and Ivan's, of Hip Hop Is Read, hard work on collecting these samples.

A Tribe Called Quest's People's... was the first album released by the crew. The samples they used for this album were as unique and eye-pooping as some the topics covered on the album. From Jimmy Hendrix to Ramp, these cats used whatever they could to craft this greaaaaatt album. This album is kinda of undervalued because of what came next, but is deserves is due and we can start of by providing this extensive sample set. So without further ado, here is A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm [The Samples]:

Rapidshare Link 1
Rapidshare Link 2
Rapidshare Link 3

OR

Megaupload Link

So, peace to the nation, the people that represent, and those cats that never bug out to the extreme

*RIP, George Carlin, When I get on TV, You Know The First Seven Words That Are Going To Come Out My Mouth*

Yo, If word is bond
then Q is gone

"Gravity is All Around"

2008-06-17T12:38:00.000-04:00

AND YA DON'T STOP, SO KEEP IT ON!!!! You, know I really have to stay consistent in this Blogging game like Dart, of Poisonous Paragraphs, and Max, of Hip Hop Isnt Dead, or else I might be dropped like Fatlip for that FARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSIDE (or Pharcyde for those who want to be all technical (you may want to ignore since they reunited for Rock The Bells, which you gots to check out)). So, check out this place more oftne for some treats (or could this all be a trick????!!!!)) *Says all of this concluding in Rza laughter (the one off the "((After the Laughter))Tears" track.

Aiightt, let's get into the bizness at hand, and today, our guest are children of the forest. Still have no clues on what John Q is talking about? Well, don't worry, I'm here to solve all your problems (the ones that have clear soultions, that is). See, the cats I am talking about hail from BROOKLYN (in Mos Def voice (small hint)) and have a unique name that seems odd even in the Hip-Hop climate. Still have no clue on who they be, well scroll down and you will see..

DA BUSH BABEES (said In Children unison voice). The Bush Babees are a crew that originated out of Brooklyn in the early 90's. Their backstory is really hard to detail cause not a lot of info is out on these cats like some others say A TRIBE CALLED QUEST or THE PHARCYDE (look out for upcoming posts on these crews in the near future). So, I am going to hit you with what I have so far on them. The Bush Babees consist of the 3 MC's (you will remember this later on in post) of LEE MAJORS, MR. MAN, and Y-TEE.

All three of them grew up in Jamaica and Trinidad (if you listen to thier albums, there might be a slight hint of reggae influence in music, but, but,but justa sllliiight hint) and, if I understand, Lee Majors and Mr. Man moved to Brooklyn during some time and Y-Tee followed suit sometime later. Lee Majors went by the name Baby-Face-Koas (yeah, he was serious) and was a solo artist for some time around the early 90's Hip Hop Scene. Mr. Man was also a solo artist around the same time doing whatever the Hell you normally do in the Hip-Hop Scene (you know what cats do in this scene, so lets move on). In 92', Mr. Man saw Koas perfoming and he got on some "I Got a Great Idea" sh.. and the two decide to form like Voltron and become a group. They perfomed together, but there was a feeling that something was missing and decide to add another member to the group, enter Y-Tee. They had all the pieces in place and know it wsa time to take over the world *insert Rza Laughter* or find some place in it (we all going to die, so we all got to try - Mos Def).

They did some concerts and live office auditions (what the Hell happened to these) and soon got signed to Reprise (Warners Bros. division). They soon got to work on thier debut album and produce a suprisingly decent effort with production from the group themselves, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Salaam Remi, and, Jermaine Dupri(????!!!!). The album is called "Ambushed" and is most remembered for the singles "We Run Things [It's Like Dat]" and "Remember We". Check this out, the last single "Remeber We" was actually a remix by Salaam Remi (one of his best efforts), but this version does not appear on the album. Get That??, Well, I don't since this verison "Celtics Defense's" the original one (Watch The Finals, it's gooooood for you).

Anyway, as good as their first album was, Their second album completely flipped the script and present them in more sophiscated and refined way (think of the Fugees evolution (*sidenote - Fugees released first album in '94 and *thankfully* released a monumental second disc in '96, Do you see a pattern???). This album is the one they should be most, and probably, are most remembered for (Remmbemer, We??!!).

Gravity is the second album from the Bush Babees (they grew up so much, "Da" was dropped). This effort is balanced and well though out with tight flows and "knocking and sutlte" beats. Guest Appearances include Q-Tip, Rhazel (beatboxer extraordinaire) and *gasp* an unknown kid who went by the name Mos Def. Gravity was released on October 15, 1996 and the world would never be the same, because October 16 came and people still went about there daily lives. The album would garner crtitcal acclaim and do decent numbers to the point Warner Bros. would....drop the group after the album's release. That's the industry for you, folks (So, you still want to be an MC???).

So without further ado, the Bush Babees "Gravity" Album......Review and then Album (see what I did there, I left you in suspense like news on another Bush Babees sighting (QUIK, am I talking about the group or animal???? (Hmmmmm))

1. INTRO (feat. Mos Def)
Usually, I ditest rap intros for they got no use on the albums (read: skippable (is that a word), but this intro is GREAATTTT!!!! Some kid named "Mos Def" handles the duties of starting of the album and does a rap/spoken word type of thing. Mos handles things pretty well and this just gets you into the album. Gravity has so many meanings, but understand what presence God can have in yous life (neat message for masses). Shawn J. Period handles production duties and sets tone for album with this cool beat.

2. GRAVITY
LOVELY. This is what comes to mind about this track when I hear it. Ali Shaheed Muhammad's production delivers and the MC's completely handle this track. The female backing vocals only help amplify the earthy aura of this track. Lee Majors and Mr. Man keeps it real about the rap game and how it affects their lives and Y-tee carries one through on the Chrous. If only most MC's and Producers could only put this effort into their tracks, but John Q can Dream, John Q can dream...

3. WAX
HUH!!! At first this song really did not catch me attention, but as I have listened to the album constantly, the song has grown on Q. The MC's do not disappoint on the track, with Lee Major comin at ya hard and Mr. Man always notewhorthy for the humorous punchlines he throws. Y-Tee actually has a good verse and is one of the few times he actually *MC'S (*yells as he says this). The only thing that holds the song back is the beat. Mr. Man, who produces the beat, kinda drops the ball here, but it is only of the few flaws in the album.

4. THE BEAT DOWN (feat. Rahzel)
OKAYYYEEE!! Rahzel, of Roots Crew fame, comes in and does what he do's best: BEATBOX. The track is more of an interlude, so nothing much more to say here.

5. MAYBE
GETTIN BACK ON TRACK!! Mr. Man handles solo duties and delievers. He also produces the track, so he must've had a good sense on how to approach this track. Man keeps it real and tells about what could have been had some stayed on the right path (seems familiar in today's industry) and raises some important questions and insight into what happens to a focused individual. Learn the lessons here, Kids.

6. 3 MC'S (Feat. Q-Tip)
FIRE!!! This is more like it. Where the Hell has been for the album. It says that Ali Shaheed Muhammad produce this track, but like The Low End Theory, I would not be suprised if Tip did not have a hand in this track. This track sounds like it could have ben On Beats, Rhymes, and Life. Lee Majors and Mr. Man hold down fort on this track, But Tip kinda stands out on this track. Not to worry because all the cats on this track blend like butter (smooothhh, John Q). Funny thing about this track is that it's title can be misleading, because Y-Tee appears on the track (albiet the chorous), but I guess he is not really consider an MC or maybe he arrived late at the studio and they said "Yo, Yous came late, so all we got left for you is the chorous, but, but, but, that's where you shine most (trust me, this is where he shines mostly on the album))." Or Some other sh.. may have happened, so you may want to ignore that last sentence. Moving along...

7. S.O.S. (feat. Mos Def)
BANGING!!! This track follows on the momentum of the last track and continues a trend of great songs. The chorous may be a little weak, but the MC's make up for that on the track. Everyone really vibes on the track and the beat, courtesy of Mr. Man, really stands out with shine-out performances from Lee Majors and the Mighty Mos Def. You know from hearing his verse, this cat has potential, who knows he may become something of major player in this rap game (Last sentence is drenched in hindsight and sarcasam). This track's heavily applies to the Rap scene today and enough MC's need to heed the message of the track.

8. GOD COMPLEX
NICE!!! This track, suprise suprise, has Y-tee deliver some nice lines (read: one of the few times he respectably's??!! MC's on the album) and Lee Majors and Mr. Man are on some other man stuff (censor John Q becuase of what track theme is about). Shawn J. Period delivers on production duties on this track to where the MC's have a chance to shine (albeit with a weak chorous). Majors and Man come on some knowlegable stuff about stuff K.O.S (if you don;t know what this is, leave now (but I let you come back someday)) and the importance of God in yous life and praising him in the way yous see most fit. Got it, GOOOOD!!!

9. THE RULER
INTERESTING!!! This is the first thing that comes to mind with this track becuase MC outshines the beat. I not saying the beat is bad, but you expect Mr. Man to do a litlle sum-somethin more witht the beat. Lee Majors tears into track (given this is his whole MC approach) with great energy and lines. Love, not like, the fact the chorous (and song, to a certain degree) is based on Kurtis Blow song or line. *Sidenote: It seems in '96 , MC;s where concerned with taking over the world. People, this is what happens when you watch to much Pinky and Brain (Tell Me that Show was not the sh..). Also love the refernce Majors has to the this cartoon show.

10. THE NINTH PRESENTATION
GREAT SHORT!!! This track is an interlude that has Mr. Man dropping a crazy verse, (that sounds familiar??!!), and Lee Majors seems like the walked into the studio and Mr. Man, who produce this track, told him to freestyle over the track and did whateva the Hell that came to mind. This track sets us up for...

11. THE LOVE SONG (feat. Mos Def)
BANGER!!! THis track is the sh.t. No, let me say that so you can hear that clearly, THIS TRACK IS THE SH.TTT. Posdnous produces this faboulous track with a such a great backdrop for the MC's, they can't f.ck on this track. Don't worry, These cats deliever. Lee Majors, Mr. Man and Y-Tee come corrct on this joint. And the Mighty Mos Def habdles chorous duties and a little outro for the song, but DAMN, how can you not like this track. Mr. Man comes at this joint like Lee Majors (and what a job he does), Lee Majors does what he does best with crazy lines like "Holding more Dangerous Minds Than Michelle Pfeiffer" and Y-Tee does his reggae/MC thing. The true star of this track is Mos Def and the beat. I give Mos this, this cat knows how to ride a beat. His style of MC is perfectly sutied for this track and he sounds great over this track. Remember, you can never go wrong with the "Summer Madness" sample and if you proof, look at the Fresh Prince's DYE-rection.

12. ROCK BOOTS
....
Nah just kidding, but this is just another inerlude that sounds like you play this during the summer om a beach. It is short, but sweet.

13. IN MEH DREAMS (feat. Muntcho Leo)
???!!! This is my reaction to everytime I hear this track. Mr. Man handles this reggae flavored track with a decent effort, but I can't say much on this track until I learn how to speak the way these cats speak on this track or if I can could just understand what the Hell is being said on this track (It was all a Dream- BIggie).

14. MELTING PLASTIC
COOOLLL (SAID IN CHEETOS CHEETAH VOICE)!!!! This track is more like it. This is one of my personal favorites on this album. Mr. Man, again, handles the production duties and he does not disappoint with this effort. Everyone does a fantastic job on this track. Lee Majors discusses the illusions people project just to keep an certain reptation of themselves up to standard (sounds familair, huh?). Y-Tee has a *ALERT* MCing appearance and steps to the plate about the tracks theme. Mr. Man comes into to continue discussing these illusions people try so desparatly to maintain. The track's message is to be who you be and don't come fakin the funk or fakin moves on who you be, so understand the track's title and you clearly see what is going on here (For Further Hint, Chorous says: "No Money, No Love" (I love the way Y-tee handles the chorous, one of the better chorous on the album (funny it is only two words). The outro for this track is tiiiight, with a great message, and this lead us into the...

15. OUTRO
PEACE OUT!!! This is just great. These three cats just come real with it and tell you their feelings on thier stance in the rap game and what the album;s title means to them. Shawn J. Period provides the backdrop (look at the intro if you had any ideas to who came with this beat).This concludes the theme of the album presented in the Intro and just know that the Bush Babees are forever, knowing it is a long time, THEY MEAN FOREVER!!!!!

Final Thoughts: Gravity is great listen to this day. It is sad that this is the last we would here from these cats (collectively, I means)who were kinda of associated with the Native Tongues(emphasis on KINDA). Lee Majors would show up here and there with appearnaces on track with Scritti Politti and then some. Y-Tee would go on to circulate in the Reggae scene and still is active in their to this day. Mr. Man would be the most relevant of the three with producing tracks for other artist and plus, he had a appearnce on that FORTIFIED LIVE Joint (it is John Blazing to this day, You want look at this site's hsitory if you wants it). There was some news a couple years ago that these cats would reform or something like that, but nothing ever became of that. I heard Lee Majors moved on from the rap game, so who knows what's up these cats now. At Least they could make a great album to end there careers (going out like Strahan in '08).

So without further ado, The Bush Babees Gravity Album:

Mediafire Link
(Note: The 9th and Last Track is a mix up with the Last Track Being "The Ninth Presentation" and the 9th track being "The Ruler". Sorry for this mishap)
&

A Little Something to Go along with That:

Bush Babees - Non-Album Cuts

Mediafire Link
(Courtesy of Ohword.com)