[Video] PRINCE PO & OH NO - "1st Word to What Was Last Said"

Queen's legend Prince Po and West Coast beat master Oh No hooked up earlier this year for a collaborative album called "Animal Serum", an interesting project (with a few less inspired tracks) to say the least. Prince Po proved that he's still the lyrical beast he's always been, like on this gem from the LP - "1st Word to What Was Last Said". Cop "Animal Serum" @ Nature Sounds.

[EP] V/A - "Hip-Hop Underground's Finest" (1999)

Now this is a real underrated underground gem that was released on the always trustworthy Hydra Entertainment back in early 1999, highlighting some of the artists or producers half-affiliated with the label around that time like Prince Po, Godfather Don (of course), L Swift of Natural Elements, Edo G, Sir Menelik and more with production supplied by Don, Nick Wiz, Alchemist, Prince Poetry, DJ Spinna, and Rich Boogie so you know this is a quality release that you need to get up on if you haven't heard it before. It was released on both CD and 2x12" on Hydra Entertainment, and this rip features all the six main tracks from the CD edition; unfortunately excluding the instrumental and clean versions however. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do, pure underground hip-hop at it's finest with some of my favorite producers of the era and some very impressive vocal performances as well (and some not so impressive - High & Mighty I'm looking at you, but with a dope Alchemist beat to back them up it gets a pass). Download, TURN IT UP!! and enjoy!

01. Godfather Don, Sir Menelik & Mic L - "No Competition" [prod. Godfather Don]

02. Matt Fingaz w. Punch & Words - "Just Ask Us" [prod. Nick Wiz]

03. L Swift & Eddie Brock - "Meltodown" [prod. Rich Boogie]

04. High & Mighty - "The Conflict" [prod. by The Alchemist]

05. Ed O.G. - "You All About Nothin'" [prod. by DJ Spinna]

06. Prince Po & Boku Rule - "Hot Syrup" [prod. by  Prince Poetry]

HYDRA - "HIP-HOP UNDERGROUND'S FINEST"

[EP] IRON BRAYDZ - "Verbal sWARdz"

"Verbal sWARdz" is a 10 track mini album slash EP by North London emcee and producer Iron Braydz. This is no doubt some nice hardcore hip-hop right here, and it's especially impressive considering that Iron Braydz not only provides the lyrical premise but is also behind the majority of the beats. Another main plus is that the project features guest verses from no lesser legends than Prince Po, Sean Price and Phat Kat. Bang your head to this!

[Video] PRINCE PO Ft. P. MONCH & OC - "Smash"

Prince Po and Oh No decided to bring a set of visuals for the latest single from their recent, DOPE, "Animal Serum", and I'm glad they picked what might just be my favorite joint on the entire record. "Smash" sees not only Organized Konfusion reunite again but also OC who featured on several early O.K. releases back in the day so this is really some nostalgic ish. It's also interesting that this is the second "Organized Konfusion" video we've gotten in a short amount of time, starting with Marco Polo's "3 O'Clock"...  I would so love a reunion of these guys, but then again, who wouldn't?

[Video] PRINCE PO / OH NO - "Machine Rages"

As I said many times, Oh No is one of those producers that keep getting better with each release, and Prince Po has been one of my favorite emcees since I first heard him on "Organized Konfusion", "Stress" and subsequent solo albums. With the just released "Animal Serum", Po's and Oh No's respective verbals and production really brought out something unique and fresh and is the definite purchase of the year thus far. Just check the video for "Machine Rage" above. The CD and digital versions is out now via Nature Sounds and iTunes, respectively.

PRINCE PO / OH NO / P. MONCH / OC - "Smash"

Prince Po and Oh No just came through with their much anticipated "Animal Serum" LP, and they did not dissapoint one bit. The most insane joint on the entire LP that Organized Konfusion fans all over the world have been dying to hear is "Smash", the reunion not only between Monch and Po, but also between the two and OC - "Fudge Pudge" over the dirty funkiness of Oh No! While the album drops on April 1 on wax, the CD is out now and can be bought @ UGHH.

PRINCE PO / OH NO - "Toxic"

The highly anticipated collaboration album between Prince Po and Oh No, "Animal Serum", hits stores on February 4 via Wandering Worx/Greenstreets and Nature Sounds. The second single from the LP just landed and if "Toxic", the previous "Bearz" and the tracklist which has now been revealed (check below) is anything to go by, this could be even crazier than I'm expecting it to be. Can't wait to hear track #7 especially - when was the last time we heard that trio of greatness together?

01. "Lamina Mures Intro"
02. "Machine Rages"
03. "U Already" (Ft. Saafir & Rockness Monsta)
04. "Keep Reachin'"
05. "1st Word to What Was Last Said"
06. "Where U Eat"
07. "Smash" (Ft. OC & Pharoahe Monch)
08. "Visionz"
09. "Wavy" (Ft. Sadat X)
10. "Toxic" (Ft. Oh No)
11. "Bearz" (Ft. Roc C)
12. "U"
13. "Starflyer Milez"
14. "Givitiup"

PRINCE PO & OH NO - "Bearz"

Never one to stay in his comfort zone for too long, legendary Queens emcee Prince Po now snnatches up the strunged out production talents of Oh No for the long-player "Animal Serum", due February 4. The first leak of the project has just been unveiled by Nature Sounds and is called "Bearz". Dirty as shit, this might just prove to be Po's most captivating solo project yet!

[Tracklist] PRINCE PO x OH NO - "Animal Serum"

If you've been following this blog for at least a few months, you know I got a thing for the solo endeavours of Prince Po (click the "Prince Po" tag at the bottom of this post to find some rare tracks and alternative versions that was left off his first solo album). Larry Baskerville is an immensely talented emcee so as long as he got the right beats, h can really cook up some marvellous shit! With that in mind it's to me fantastic news that Po's next solo album is entirely produced by the psychadelic, drug-infused beat maestro known as Oh No. Though it's far from the Organized Konfusion sound, I thought he sounded amazing working with Danger Mouse, Madlib, J-Zone and Jel on his 2004 debut and this should take it a step even further. Should be an instant buy, don't you think?

 

"Animal Serum" wont however be released until early February 2014, but those who wait for something good, might be sitting on nails, but once it finally comes around it's even more of a treat. The album is being released by Green Streets Entertainment and right now you can pre-order the CD but since there's quite some time until we get there I Think a vinyl set is not out of the question just yet. We'll have just wait to see... Looking at the tracklist below, the most interesting thing to notice is that it features the second Organized Konfusion reunion in 2013 (follow Marco Polo's excellent "3 O'Clock"); and as if that wasn't enough OC also makes an apperance on that same joint - really taking it back to basics and the Groups first single; "Fud Pudge". Check the tracklist and pray that we will be able to hear the first single very soon

 01. "Lamina Mures Intro"
02. "Machine Rages"
03. "U Already" (Ft. Rock / Heltah Skeltah & Saafir)
04. "Keep Reachin'"
05. "First Word To What Was Last Said"
06. "Where U Eat?"
07. "Smash" (Organized Konfusion] (Ft. OC)
08. "Visionz"
09. "Wavy" (Ft. Sadat X)
10. "Toxic"
12. "Bears"
13. "Starflyer Milez" (ft. Oh No)
14. "Givitup"

[Video] MARCO POLO / ORGANIZED KONFUSION - "3 O'Clock"

I'm still flabbergasted about the reunion of the Marco Polo sanctioned Organized Konfusion reunion single "3 O'Clock" which premiered on the web last week. Not only did Marco manage to get these guys in the studio for the first time in almost 15 years, but he got them together for the video shoot as you see above. Watch out for "Port Authority 2: Director's Cut" which will be available on November 12 via Soulspazm. Other guests include Blaq Poet, MC Eiht, King Tee, H. Stax, Talib Kweli, DJ Premier, AG, Pos Won, Masta Ace, Lil' Fame, Gangrene, Inspectah Deck, OC, and many more. Sickest tracklist I've seen in years, check it out and pre-order @ UGHH.

PRINCE PO - "HELLO" [Unreleased Final Mix]

I'm a real sucker for alternative mixes, demo versions, and so on, which is really the main reason I choose to call this site The Lost Tapes. While doing research for my article on Prince Po's "The Slickness" and accompanying "The LEX EP" (which I would love if you'd revisit as I've pretty much rewritten most of it), I came across this alternative version of "Hello". Driven by a dissonant violin and a nastily rugged drum-n-bass combo, it was the perfect vehicle for the Prince to reintroduce himself and kick off his debut LP. Anticon producer Jel posted his final, and previously unreleased, version of the song on his Soundcloud a few months back and god damn it if it's not even sicker than the album mix. Real explosive shit!

"This was the first song on Prince Po's Lex Album "The Slickness". Danger Mouse was the main Producer for the album. I finished a more blown out version than what made the album. But for some reason the original demo version I sent was the one they kept for the final release. here is my Final version of "Hello!"" - Jel

[Comp/EP] PRINCE PO - "The LEX EP"

"Introuction"

Queens duo Organized Konfusion is regarded as one of the best units hip-hop has ever wittnessed, with members Prince Po and Pharoahe Monch displaying a chemistry rarely equaled and a way to bounce rhymes off each other like there was no tomorrow. Despite their high quality output (two masterpieces, and one real banger) the group disbanded for a number of reasons shortly after the release of their third album "The Equinoix" (1997). One reason given was that they wanted to focus their skills as individual solo artists, while another reason mentioned was a souring relationship with their record label Hollywood/Universal whom they felt didn't give them the deserved support. On top of that Organized Konfusion did it all themselves when it came to their music - developing concepts, producing, all the writing, all vocals (their albums rarely had any guest appearances). This heavy workload, according to Prince Po, resulted in feelings of being burnt out. After getting the go-ahead from Prince Po to record solo, Pharoahe Monch went on to sign a deal with Rawkus and gaining a lot of success with the monstrous Godzilla sampling "Simon Says". Monch eventually released his solo album in '99 which in many ways picked up and updated the sound of the later Organized Konfusion records through the help of producers Diamond D, DJ Scratch, and Lee Stone. "Internal Affairs" is an extraordinary musical experiment that remains highly regarded amongst fans and critics to this day.

Prince Po would take things more slowly; releasing a trio of self-produced underground 12":s on labels ranging from Hydra Entertainment to Medicine Men between 1998 and 2001. The year of 2002, however, began a crucial change in Larry Baskervilles' path to becoming a full blown solo artist. A very important factor was Brian Burton, better known as Danger Mouse, who at this time still was an up-and-coming hip hop producer. The two struck up a friendship which resulted in an invitation for Po to participate on one of the choice cuts from DM's LEX Records debut with Brooklyn emcee Jemini ("Ghetto Pop Life"). The resulting track ("Copy Cats") was a playful party booster, with a heavy drum and bass sound, courtesy of DM's brilliant arrangement of rugged hip-hop with some quirky pop sensibilities. Together with Po and Jemini's machine-gun flows and sing-a-long hook "Copy Cats" was a remarkable cut that also marked the beginning of a super dope musical relationship. Burton's connections with indie imprint LEX Records is a very likely factor in the label signing the Queens legend for the recording and release of "The Slickness".

"The Slickness"

Released in 2004, Prince Po's debut album showed the other half of Organized Konfusion taking a different musical path than his original rhyme partner had done with his debut. Made up of twelve tracks, Po left the musical aspects in the hands of executive producer Danger Mouse to fully focus on his writing and rhyming. Beside DM's own quirky beats he assigned Madlib, J-Zone, Jel (of the Anticon fam) and club/hip-hop phenomenon Richard X to contribute instrumentals for the project. Having not released much since 1997, Prince Po had a lot to get off his chest and the album proved that he hadn't lost an ounce of the skills that had made him the legend he is considered today. You got the straight up rhyming joints like on the boom bap intro "Hello", to Po's take on true love (the absolutely beautiful "Love Thang"), the autobiographical "Be Easy", the party jams ("Meet Me at The Bar", "Hold Dat"), and so on. It's a very varied affair both with its lyrical themes and its group of producers, yet the album comes off as a very cohessive affair. Much of this is thanks to the working chemistry between Po and Danger Mouse who despite only being credited for producing three tracks left his musical fingerprints all over the album. Most of the beats have that quirky, upbeat arrangements heard on other DM projects around this time ("The Mouse & The Mask"; "Ghetto Pop Life).

"The Left-Overs"
"The Slickness" only included 12 real songs, and while at least ten of them were straight up banging records, it's a little peculiar to find out that Danger Mouse produced, mixed and mastered three additional songs left off the final tracklist. Similiarly, the lead single "Bump Bump" included a slamming self-produced B-side called "Runwitit" that easily could've fitted on the LP (the song was originally released as a limited single of its own in '02). The Danger Mouse tracks mentioned above were released on a 5-track sampler given away as a bonus item with an issue of HipHopConnection in June 2004. Two of these tracks showed up on the LP ("Social Distortion"; "Hold Dat"), but the three remaining tracks, that are all very much in the same vein as what DM created for "The Slickness", did not. These four tracks makes for a pretty damn dope little EP which stands as a great companion piece to Po's debut album. In addition I also included the aforementioned "Copy Cats" joint from Danger Mouse & Jemini's "Ghetto Pop Life" from 2003, since I feel that's where the story of "The Slickness" really begins ... So be sure to download and enjoy this, and why not throw this on directly after having played the LP from "Hello" to "Be Easy" (I recommend you skipping that bullshit Club Remix by Richard X of "Hold That")? As we usually say here @ The Lost Tapes: TURN IT UP!! 

 

01."Runwithit" [prod. Prince Po]

02. "So Rebellious" [prod. Danger Mouse]

03. "Copy Cats" (Ft. Jemini) [prod. Danger Mouse]

04. "Better Things"  [prod. Danger Mouse]

05. "Get On Down" [prod. Danger Mouse]

PRINCE PO - "THE LEX EP"

Marco Polo Ft. ORGANIZED KONFUSION - "3-O-Clock"

OH SHIT, this just made my entire week right here! If I recall correctly we haven't heard Prince Po and Pharoahe Monch collide on a track since "God Send" from "Internal Affairs" back in '99. It just feels GOOD hearing these guys going at it again, and you know Marco Polo delivers some smooth boom bap greatness in recognizing the value of this collaboration. "PA 2: The Director's Cut" will be near the top on a whole lot of year's best lists in December, trust me!

[Video] PRINCE PO - "The Message"

Organized Konfusion fans should rejoice as Pharoahe Monch is working on a new album as we speak, and recent news informs us that Prince Po is working on a new project as well. The full-length LP is scheduled for a November release, and will be a collaboration with the great Oh No, so that will without question be very interesting to say the least. Features on the album will include Rapper Big Pooh, Roc C, Emotions and Magic Mouth. While not an album cut, the first taste of new Po that we've heard in a while comes in the form of a tribute to Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and their immortal "The Message". The video was directed by Rodolfo Duran ... Stay tuned for more info on the Po/OHNO project as we move closer to its release date.

[DEMO] ORGANIZED KONFUSION / SIMPLY II POSITIVE MC's

In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s New York City hip-hop groups came a dime a dozen; but only 5-10 percent really had something to say. Enter Organized Konfusion, the duo consisting of two young Queens veterans known to the world as Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po. From 1990 to 1997 they released three full-length albums that are toay all more or less part of the definite hip-hop canon. Usually any rap group worth its name, features at least one rhymer that’s not really up to par; if only to make the A+ rapper look all that more extraordinary. That was not the case with Organized Konfusion at all; Po and Monch were both brilliant writers and complimented each other’s distinctive styles to perfection- Not only were it that they were incredible lyricists, sporting immaculate flows, but they also had a knack for creating unbelievably original song concepts (see tracks like “Stress”, “Inverto” and their most infamous joint “Sray Bullet”). The duo was easily one of the most creative and original crews in hip-hop. Unfortunately, all good things must eventually come to an end, and after ’97s “The Euqonix” the duo called it quits as a group to focus on respective high-acclaimed solo projects on Rawkus and Lex Records, respectfully. I mean, who can forget Monch’s breakthrough solo single, the underground club monster called “Simon Says”?
 

But already way back in the late ‘80s, Prince Poetry and P Monch, went by Simply II Positive MC’s, recording music using a unique style that blended complex rhyme schemes with political messages, social commentary and more ordinary day-to-day happenings. Their style caught the attention of the legendary producer/engineer Paul C, a hip-hop veteran who during his tragically short career supplied classic material for the likes of Ultramagnetic Mc’s, Eric B. & Rakim, Main Source, Too Poetic, and Super Lover Cee, just to name a few. Paul had an unbelievable record collection and was straight up masterful at chopping samples and fatten up drum to a whole new level. Paul was a true master of his craft, and could easily make an aggressive or laidback masterpiece with his trusty SP1200 and a choice selection of vinyl. Paul seemed like the ideal producer to work with the Simply II Positive emcees, and Paul and the two Queens rhymers quickly struck up a friendship. As a trio the group was something out of the ordinary; one of the best, and most innovative producers around, and two of the most innovative spitters New York had to offer.
 

In 1989 the trio first started working on material together, with Paul C, together with Poetry and P Monch, crafting tracks like “Audience Pleasers”, “Cooling One Day”, and the breakneck speed monster “Prisoners of War”. Using funk and jazz samples, with a heavy emphasis on groove¬-infected basslines and powerful drum programming, Paul C’s production was the perfect fit for the machine-gun delivery and knowledgeable lyrics of the Simply II Positive MC’s. Picking out five of the newly recorded tracks for the official demo tape (“Audience Pleasers”, “Cooling One Day”, “Inernational Arrival”, “Mind Over Matter”.  “Prisoners of War”), this would be the start of Organized Kondusion as the hip-hop fan would come to know them. Po and Monch had hopes of signing with Def Jam, but the demo got in the hands of a small Queens label called Solid Sound Records. Working with two no-name producers by the name of Neal Kelly and Kevin Osborne, the duo released two 12” singles which aimed for a cheesy commercial R&B-tinged sound that had nothing to do with the actual demo tape that they had originally supplied. The singles were named “Memories Of Love” and “South Side in Effect” and failed to receive any airplay at all despite the commercial direction the producers took the group’s music in. It was quite evident that this was not a direction that these Positive MC’s should move ahead further on, and luckily they were able to get out of their contract.

Around this time they changed their name to Organized Konnfusion and managed to sign a deal with Hollywood BASIC.  Shortly before this their producer Paul C was tragically murdered in the middle of recording Eric B. & Rakim’s 1989 masterpice “Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em”, which was completed by his young protogé William Mitchell a/k/a The Large Professor. This however meant that Paul C wasn’t able to produce Organized Konfusion’s self-titled ’91 debut  although it’s quite clear that the ghostly fingerprints of the SP extraordinary is all over the record. Much of the songs might very well have originally been initiated by the late producer before being going into post-prouction and mixing by the artists themselves (the credited producers). This would be supported by the fact that “Organized Konfusion” sound likes a refined, natural extension on what’s heard on the Paul C demo. Add to that the fact that two of the demo tracks (“Audience Pleasers” and”Prisoners Of War”) appear here as well, in very similar mixes, and last but not least that both subsequent Organized albums sound very different from this actual debut LP. We may never know for sure, but what we can be certain of is that Paul C’s sound heavily influenced O.K.s debut z great deal. But more than that, it’s a fantastic album no matter what, and one that almost 25 years down the line, it still holds up as both a lyrical and musical masterpiece. But before you dust of this classic follow me on a trip down memory lane and listen to the original Simply II Positive MC’s, fully produced by Paul C.

01. "Audience Pleasers"
02. "Cooling One Day"
03. "International Arrival"
04. "Mind Over Matter"
05. "Prisoners Of War"

SIMPLY II POSITIVE MC'S - '89 DEMO

[Compilation] ORGANIZED KONFUSION - "God Send"

Organized Konfusion's imprint on the hip-hop scene was hardly left by accident. The Queens duo, which consisted of Prince Poetry and Pharoahe Monch, were not only two of the most lyrically brilliant cats around; they also had a knack for creating absolutely mindblowing beats that held their own against additional contributions by people like Buckwild and The Large Professor. After only three albums, all still held in the higest regards amongst true hip-hop heads today, Po and Monch went their separate ways to focus on their own succesful solo deals. "Organized Konfusion" (1991), "Stress: The Extinction Agenda" (1994) and "The Equinox" (1997) has hopefully already found their way into your record collection, and if not maybe the compilation presented below will point you in the right direction.

"God Send" features fourteen tracks from the duo's 1990s run, and is to my knowledge an almost complete collection of all original Po and Monch joints not included on the three aforementioned LP:s. I've deliberatly excluded the 1989 demo they recorded with Paul C as Simply II Positive MC's; that's a post for another day, together with their 1987 single "Memories of Love". Furthermore, I decided against the inclusion of OC's "War Games", considering how it only feature O.K. on the hooks. The same goes for "For My Peeps" which, although credited to both, only features Prince Po. There's also a gang of ill records produced by Organized Konfusion, which you'll also see pop up on The Lost Tapes very soon, so stay tuned. Below are a quick rundown of where the songs originally appeared on, along with a few notes. As usual all songs appear in their full versions, and in good to great quality. TURN IT UP!!

01. "Bring It On" [The Lost Remix]

"Bring It On" is a stand out from the "Stress" LP, but the "Lost Remix" has very little to do with the original incarnation. In fact, it is more of a sequel than an actual remix; featuring all new vocals over an incredible Buckwild production. Released as a white label around '96, and also appeared on the soundtrack for the '96 flick "The Substitute".

02. "Rekonstruction" [Rhyme & Reason Mix]

The "Rhyme & Reason" mix of DJ Spooky's "Rekonstruction" is one I've rarely, if ever, seen mentioned when discussing the works of Organized Konfusion. The original version appeared on Spooky's "Riddim Warfare" in 1998, while this mix made it's entry on a vinyl EP called "Spiritual Minded" that was released a year later. This take is darker and more agressive than the original, and I would say both are equally impressive.

03. "Murder By Syntax"

Created for the DJ/producer centered compilation  "Deeper Concentration" on OM Records in '98, "Murder by Syntax" is credited to DJ Spooky featuring Organized Konfusion. Similiar to the previous track, this one is pretty hardcore and makes you wish DJ Spooky would get more attention on hip-hop albums.

04. "Ill Collabo" (w. Cella Dwellas)

Lifted from The Dwellas' classic sophomore release, "The Last Shall Be First", the cameo was credited to Prince Po and Pharoahe Monch since this was recorded after the group's official split. Fans of exceptional lyricism will find this most satisfying, and Rockwilder turns in one of his most boom-bapish beats, post-"Da Rockwilder". Released in 2000 on Stimulated Records.

05. "Sway & Tech Radio Promo: Interlude" (w. Nas)

This fat radio promo appeared on the 2005 release, "Best of Organized Konfusion" and is, obviously, a promo record for Sway & Tech's The Wake Up Show. The fact is that these 1.5 minutes are just an excerpt of a complete "Wake Up Show Anthem", recorded and rleased in 1994. I decided to include the short version on the compilation, due to the fact that the sound quality is a lot better with both O.K. verses intact. The original version features a crazy line-up of Lauryn Hill, Nas, Prince Po, Pharoahe Monch, Saafir, Ras Kass, Chino XL, Shyheim and Foxy Brown... Check it out for yourself - "Wake Up Show Anthem '94".

06. "Frontline" (w. El Da Sensei, Mike Zoot & F.T.)

"Frontline" falls in the posse cut category, the line-up of El Da Sensei, Organized Konfusion, Mike Zoot and F.T. blesses a dope Shawn J. Period production that will surely have your head nodding. Recorded for the Groove Attack compilation, "Superrappin' - The Album" and released in 1999.

07. "You Won't Go Far" (w. OC)

One of the closest affiliates of the duo this post focuses on, was right from the jump Omar Credle (OC that is). O made his recording debut on the opening song of "Organized Konfusion", the masterpiece "Fudge Pudge", and also made an apperance on "Stress". Po and Monch produced no less than four cuts from OC's classic debut LP, "Word...Life" and there was even talk of a collaborative project between the three at one point. "You Won't Go Far" is a great showcase of how great that would've been, as there is no denying the tight chemistry this trio displays here; and it's a concept record on top of that! Released in 1995 on the "New Jersey Drive" soundtrack (Vol. 2).

08. "Stress Remix" (w. Large Professor)

Similiar to the "Bring it On" remix, the Extra-P take on "Stress" is more of a sequel than a remix as it's really only the hook that string them together. Large Pro leaves the dark, rumbling basslines that characterized the album version, in favor of a lighter sound centered around the Fender Rhodes piano. Released as a single in 1994, it's possible that it was also intended to appear on the album as the credits reads "Ocee and Large Professor appears courtesy of Wild Pitch Records"; despite no other apperance from The Guy With The Glasses.

09. "Late Night Action"

This rather moody piece is supposedly a song recorded for "The Equinox" album. Instead it appeared on the "Soul in the Hole" soundtrack the same year. The sound is also very similiar in style to that of the last O.K. album, and is not too suprisingly produced by the duo as well.

10. "Passion"

This terrific cut packs a very dark and atmospheric sound, complete with a great horn sample floating in and out of the soundscape underneath the verses. "Passion" appeared on "The Best of..." compilation from 2005, with no further explanation of the songs origins. Judging by the sound of it, I would place it around the time of "Stress", possibly a little later. Most likely self-produced.

11. "Tender" [Remix] (w. Attica Blues)

Attica Blues is a trip-hop trio from the UK that released their self-titled debut album on the Mo' Wax label in '97. From there, the single "Tender" was released, complete with a remix produced by Organized Konfusion. Although it does not mention on the label, the remix also features one verse each by the duo, holding down microphone duties for the first two minutes of the seven minutes joint. This might seem like a pretty odd collaboration, and it definitely is, but it's pretty damn great either way.

12. "Decisions"

Superb concept track from the "America is Dying Slowly" project (1996), a compilation of exclusive hip-hop tracks meant to raise awareness about AIDS. Produced by the always ill DJ Ogee, who's very talented but unfortunately has a way too small catalouge for his skills. Hopefully we'll get to hear more from him sooner or later.

13. "O.K. Moodswing: Interlude"

Self-produced funky interlude type of track from from the "Who Stole My Last Piece of Chicken" single (1991). Featuring Adam "Ant" Anton on guitar and Chris Conway on drums.

14. "Rekonstruction"

The original version of DJ Spooky's earliest Organized Konfusion collaboration, "Rekonstruction", lifted from his "Riddim Warfare" project (1998). I'm a big fan of this as well as the remix, which is why I decided to include them both here. I'm sure you don't mind!

15. "God Send"

How could I make an Organized Konfusion compilation, and not include the final piece of the puzzle? "God Send" fits perfectly as the outro to this one hour set as I always felt that it managed to bring some type of closure to the impeccable musical legacy of these two giants. Recorded for Pharoahe Monch's solo debut, "Internal Affairs" on Rawkus in 1999; produced by Lee Stone and Pharoahe Monch.

ORGANIZED KONFUSION - "GOD SEND"