[Classic Clips] '91 RZA & GZA Freestyle @ Video Music Box

This is a REAL gem right here that was originally posted on Facebook a few days ago. This short freestyle session was recorded for the Video Music Box way back in 1991, when GZA was with Cold Chillin', Prince Rakeem was on Tommy Boy and Ason Unique was the beatbox king. The group was called All in Together Now though Rakeem is missing from this video this is definitely a breah of fresh air that needs to be seen by any Wu-Tang fanatic out there!

[DJ Mix] RZA Set @ Flexx w. ODB (1995)

This is just amazing right here, pure fucking Wu from the days the Wu and The RZA was incapable of making ish that didn't become classics. Jammin from TheCorp are the man for this find and original ripper and uploader RANDOMRAPRADIO is even more crazy for it, huge thanks goes out to you. As you see from the title this roughly 40 minutes DJ set was performed on the air by The RZA on a Funkmaster Flex show on HOT97 back in 1995, June 3rd to be exact. And they also had ODB performing over some of the stuff, including a banging live version of "Brooklyn Zoo". No real heads are allowed to sleep on this one!

[Book] ODB: The Dirty Version

Great hip-hop books are far and few in between but there are definitely some real gold to be found amongst the bookshelfs if you look hard enough. Brian Coleman's "Check The Technique" is a must-read for any hip-hop fan, and most recently I read Cristopher R. Weingarten's 150 pages meditation on Public Enemy's landmark album "It Takes A Nation..."; another one I strongly recommend. Now comes a full book on the phenomenon that was the great Ol' Dirty Bastard, fittingly entitled "The Dirty Version". It seems quite legit too since it ís written by Buddha Monk with Mickey Hess. Sounds pretty damn interesting for us Wu heads, don't you think?

You can-pre-order the hardcover edition from Amazon now and get it in time for its official release on November 4 of this year. Just follow this link and a copy can be yours for $25.99! Spotted by Pyrex Visionist @ Wu Corp, so peace to him... Below you'll find a somewhat "rare" joint from the Dirty Bastard - a track he featured on together with Xzibit on one-album wonders M.A.D. Kutz '99 LP "Reelizm".

M.A.D. KUTZ - "Desparate Man" (Ft. ODB & Xzibit)

[12" Throwback] OL' DIRTY BASTARD - "O.D.B. EP."

I wrote a good chunk about this EP, but to my vast irritation every single one of my words were destroyed when my comp unexpectedly shut down; but shame those who give in. So here's my second take on Ol' Dirty's "O.D.B.E.P.", released in 1996 through Elektra, and available in Japanese stores only for a limited amount of time. The Dirty One's mid-summer debut LP on the imprint, this 13 tracks long collection of instrumentals, remixes, and B-sides work as a great companion piece to ODB's last year debut album. This Japan only EP featured two exclusive RZA productions that originally had appeared as B-sides to 12" on a couple of the album singles; meaning that they might have originally been conceived for inclusion on the album but had to be cut when so much material kept coming in.

Kicking things off with a mindblowing Lord Digga of The Bluez Brothers/Masta Ace Inc crew who provides a completely different take on Dirt's #1 classic "Brookltn Zoo", incorporating an oriental sample over agressive drums and -bass, and best of all plenty of new ad-libs from Dirt. I suspect that´Dirty recorded all of his verses over to this beat, as the editing is absolutely beautiful.  "Give it to Ya Raw" is a classic RZA's mid-'90s production, with knocking drums in an almost old-school breakbeat fashion, filthy and filter-processed samples, and a real murky bassline. The Dirty one screaming things like "Give it to Ya Raw" and giving shout outs to the piopneers adds to the fact just how rugged and shit-stained this joint is, and personally, I wouldn't have mind hearing this on the LP rather than something like "Sweet Sugar Pie". It also works as an homage to those who came before; the true pioneers; with Dirt giving shouts tothose who came before like Grandmaster Caz, and many more. This is vintage mid-'90s Dirt & RZA right here. This is followed by Elektra's in-house producer's take on the previous funk-jam; the SD50 remix (a trio consisting of Tommy Boy mainstays Dante Ross, Johnn Gamle & Geeby Dajani). The drums and agressive bassline are still in full tact but it's indeed a little cleaner than Prince Rakeem's take on it. You got a lot more keys and plenty of horns to keep it moving on the latter, but placing ODB's unorthdox rhyming style over a brand new drum pattern shows how incredible these three guiys were at manipulating a voice to fir a completely new sound..

Followed here are the so called extended version of "Shimmy Shimmy Ya"; by far, one of Dirt's most cherished songs. RZA's and ODB's original album recordings is pretty much intact for the first and second verse (the regular verse and the backmasked verse is still there) Before Buddha Monk appears together with ODB tying up the loose ends. It's not an essential joint per se, though it runs through an entire new verse by ODB is never heard elsewhere, resulting in the song given a facelift.

For me, the West Coast remix of "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" is without a doubt the most transformed and the most different mix out of them all, for the first time showing Dirt's fascination for the West Coast sound which would later be followed up by collabos with Alkaholiks, Coolio, and Mack 10. Studio Ton brings on a club bouncer fitting for the West Coast scene at the time, with crazy bass, Moog synthesizer, and repetitive but hard-hitting drums. It's a far cry from the original if you ask me, but it's definitely worth several listens especially as it features exclusive verses by Mack 10, WC, and Dirt himself.  Next up we find the second RZA produced outtake from the album in "Don't U Kmow Pt. II" which picks up right where the prequel from Dirt's debut closed out (remember "....Part 2 coming your way!"). The production is similiar, yet it's not a tired repetition. amd on top of that although Priest is curiously missing here. But we get another brilliantview into the chemistry between ODB and RZA this is a must hear for everyone.

The final cut on the EP is another very FAT track, featuring ODB going head to head with the very underrated cousin 12 O'Clock, who I always liked a whole lot. All these tracks were included as bonus tracks on the newly released Get On Down 2xCD edition of "Return of the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version". Enjoy, and TURN IT UP - this is classic Ol' Dirty right here... May you rest in everlasting piece Russel!,

01. "Brooklyn Zoo" [Clean Lord Digga Mix]

02. "Brooklyn Zoo" [LP Instrumental]

03. "Brooklyn Zoo" [Lord Digga Mix Instrumental]

04. "Give it to Ya Raw: Clean" [prod. by The RZA]

05. "Give it to Ya Raw" [SD50 Remix]

06. "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" [Extended]

07."Shuimmy Shimma Ya" [Stidop Ton Remix] (Ft- MC Eith & WC)

08. "Don¨'t U Know Part 2"

09. "Ol' Dirty's Back" (Ft. 12 O'Clock)

 OL' DIRTY BASTARD - "O.D.B.E.P."

OL' DIRTY BASTARD - "POWERFUL"

It's not every day we are treated to previously unreleased by the legendary Ol' Dirty Bastard, but engineer/producer veteran Nastee has unleashed a never before heard session. I'm not sure when "Powerful" might have been recorded, but judging by the powerful performance by Dirt I'd say sometime during the latter half of the '90s. Watch out for Nastee's "The Resume #2" on December 12, featuring vaulted music by ODB, Smif-N-Wessun, Mobb Deep, dead prez, Half A Mill, RA The Rugged Man.

OL' DIRTY BASTARD - "O.D.B.E.P." [1996]

There's no debate that Russel Jones was in many ways the heart and soul of Wu-Tang, and in hip-hop in genreal; he always spoke his mind, his ryming style was unorthdox and original to say the least, and he had a great ear for beats. On top of that, he was totally unique both as an artist and as a person, He truly was a free spirit, who finally found his sanctuary in the afterlife in November 2004. He never cared the least what people thought about his wild antics and there's so many amazing stories about this man which makes it clear that his legacy will live on forever, both through his music and his personality. After the critically acclaimedd debut album from Jones, it would take four years before his sophomore (and highly overlooked) "Nigga Please" made it to the stores, but already in 1996 he released a rare, and very ill EP/mini album called "The O.D.B. EP"; originally a Japanese only release which collected the majority of 12" singles, remixes and a few RZA produced cuts that didn't make the final cut of Dirty's debut album. For fans of the Wu, there's definitely a lot to love aobut this EP, as it's great to hear alternative takes on such classics as "Brooklyn Zoo" and "Shimmy Shimmy Ya". Remix credits include Dante Ross' SD50's, Lord Digga, Studio Ton and even an unexpected cameo from West Coast legends MC Eiht and E-40, and a few unfuckwithable previously unreleased RZA productions reminiscent of his work on "Return to 36 Chambers". 

"The O.D.B. EP" is a full-bown extended play, featuring not only the eight original songs/you'll find below, but also instrumentals and accapellas.,I decided not to include those to make it a better play-through, but if you're interested in those aforementioned versions, let me know and I'll upload the entre thing ASAP. Enjoy this rare collection of classic Ol' Dirty Bastard 12" singles, B-sides and exclusives, originally released in 1996. The spirit of Russel Jones lives on, we love and miss you brother!

01. "Brooklyn Zoo" [Lord Digga Remix - Clean]

02. "Give It To Ya Raw" [LP Version]

03. "Give It To Ya Raw" [SD50 Remix]

04. "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" [Extended Version]

05. "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" [Studio Ton Remix] (Ft. MC Eiht & E-40)

06. "Don't U Know Part 2" [Clean]

07. "Ol' Dirty's Back" [LP Version]

OL' DIRTY BASTARD - "O.D.B.E.P." [Modified]

[Classic Sessions] "Ill Style Live 1995" LP

The updates has been rather slow lately, so I thought to bring back a true classic underground tape for y'all. The "Illstyle Live" compilation was released on Elektra in 1995, right before Sylvia Rhone took over Dante Ross' position as the main A&R of the hip-hop section of the label. This was a true shame, as it resulted that numberous dope underground projects got completely shelved and still remains that way. The most known example is of course the InI/Deda albums that Pete Rock produced, but also lost gems like Omniscience LP debut which only made it to the bootleg market (and which I will post soon). Also the original Juggaknots' mini album, releases from Lin Que, Supernatural, 8-Off, and more. Luckily, the live sessions that was the basis for the label's "Illstyle Live" compilation, was somewhat of a special night highlighting what the label could and should have been if it wasn't for Rhones. 

It was a special night, with the Elektra artists giving respective performances of stand-out joints from their forthcoming releases, with DJ Pete Rock handling much of the DJ duties. I understand most dedicated hip-hop fans are well aware of this, but for those who don't, you're definitely in for a treat; and The Lost Tapes will also strive to bring you as many studio versions as possible of these gems. Originally known as a promo vinyl release, the good folks at the impeccable T.R.O.Y. Blog, managaed to get their hands on a very rare CD promo which they brought to their readers. This is the version I'm bringing here as the sound quality is so superior, but all props to "dirt_dog" from the T.R.O.Y. blog. Enjoy fellow hip-hop heads; oh and the Ol' Dirty Bastard 22 minutes set at the end is fucking priceless!

01. "Intro"
02. Daddy D - "Luv On A Dub"
03. Omniscience - "Amazin'"
04. Juggaknotz - "I'm Gonna Kill You"
05. Lin Que - "Let it Fall"
06. 8-Off - "Ghetto Girl"
07. Deda Baby Pah - "Blah Uno"
08. Coz - "No Place Like the Hood"
09. "Interlude"
10. Supernatural - "Natural Diaster"
11. Das EFX - "Real Hip-Hop"
12. Ol' Dirty Bastard - "Freestyle" / "Brooklyn Zoo" / "Shimmy Shimy Ya"

V/A - "ILLSTYLE LIVE" [1995]

Remembering Ol' Dirty

Russell Jones was sometimes called The Heart and Soul of Wu-Tang which in many ways is a true statement. Ol' Dirty Bastard was a truly free spirit who never tried to be anyone besides himself and had maybe the most unique personality the music industry has ever wittnessed. There are so many fantastic stories about this man and his wild antics. Take how he just happened to walk through a studio and heard Pras playing a song and asked to take part. Of course he could and that song ("Ghetto Supastar") only happened to be one of the mega smashes of the year. Jones was also the first out of the band of brothers known as The Wu-Tang Clan to collaborate with R&B superstars like En Vouge and Mariah Carey but the word sell-out and Ol' Dirty Bastard could and should never be mentioned in the same breath. He did what he wanted to, when he wanted to and with who he wanted to. And although his crazy living would leave him in many difficult situations later on in his all too short life, he always remained himself and always kept it dirty.

This day, the 13th November, marks the date when Russell Jones returned to the essence. I can still remember the surreal feel when reading the news that he had passed away. Wu-Tang had been a part of my life pretty much since I was a kid and you always had the impression that Dirty was immortal and that the heavy drugs and booze were just part of his wild persona. Eventually living like that will catch up with anybody but it's a tragedy the time striked before the change did. Jones left us with the memory of a man that was truly unique, had mad humor and was one hell of a musician. ODB remains the very definition of not having to be a super lyrical multi-bars emcee to be an entertaining, truly great rapper. In memory of his greatness I have assembled a series of non album cuts from the late, great Ol' Dirty that I hope you'll bump on this day in celebration of his life. Rest in peace homie!

 

01. "Dirty The Moocher"

02. "Ol' Dirty's Back" (w. 12 O'Clock)

03. "Woo-Hah!" [Remix] (w. Busta Rhymes)

04. "The Park" (w. Coolio)

05. "Words Of Wisdom #1"

06. "Strictly Hip Hop" (w. Afro Jazz)

07. "Get It To Ya Raw"

08. "Don't U Know Pt. II"

09. "Gots Like Come On Thru" (w. Buddha Monk & Drunken Dragon)

10. "Nuthin' But Flavor" (w. Charlie Brown & Biz Markie)

11. "Words Of Wisdom #2"

12. "Who Rock This?" (w. Mystikal)

13. "Drug Free" (w. Deadly Venoms)

14. "Show & Prove" (w. Big Daddy Kane, Shyheim, Jay-Z & Scoob)

15. "Prepare For The Buddha Monk" (w. Popa Wu & Brooklyn Zu)

16. "Words Of Wisdom #3"

17. "Hip-Hop Drunkies" (w. Alkaholiks)

OL' DIRTY BASTARD - "ONE OF A KIND"

ODB breaks down "Return to 36 Chambers"

Wu-Tang Clan's own madman, Ol' Dirty Bastard was an original and all around incredible artist who's debut album, "Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version", still stands as one of the funniest, most groundbreaking and sickest LP:s of all time. Mark 563 dopped this incredible gem via his Tumblr Account the other day. It's an early HHC article from late '94 or early '95 where ODB goes through his upcoming album track by track. A very interesting read to say the least, you can check out the cover + full article here. Cool to see that "Dirty & Stinking" and "Give It To Ya Raw" were originally supposedd to be part of this classic album (you can download both songs, the original versions, at the bottom of this post - thx to the T.R.O.Y. Forum for the "Dirty..." joint). Mad shouts to Mark 365 for the scan from HHC below, this is a real treat for all Wu and Ol' Dirty fans across the globe (just click the pic to view it in full size)!

OL' DIRTY BASTARD - "GIVE IT TO YA RAW"

OL' DIRTY BASTARD - "DIRTY & STINKIN'"

Sick ODB re-issue!

Get On Down Records, in collaboration with ODB's estate, will release this slamming vinyl and 2xCD re-issue of the late Wu-Tang legend's classic '95 debut, "Return to 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version". Besides the additional music from the various singles off the album (instrumentals, accapellas, remixes), the package will include "a deluxe bill-fold wallet, laminated "food stamp" card, a vintage "on tour" poster, promotional sticker, extended artwork with new linear notes, milestones and accolades" according to HipHopDX. November 22 is the date; this looks really nice, I might very well pick up the vinyl set. Dame Dash should take notice and do the legacy of Ol' Dirt McGirt justice by giving "A Son Unique" an official release. Below you'll find a grimey Ol' Dirty B-side from the "Brooklyn Zoo" single, produced by The RZA.


OL' DIRTY BASTARD - "GET IT TO YA RAW"