[Comp/Article] THE LIFE & TIMES OF PHIFE DAWG

With the tragic passing of one of hip-hop's legendary punchline kings and rhyming sports enthusiasts music fans all over the world has been grieving since the news of Malik Taylor's passing hit the internet last week. Taylor was a man of many names, but to most people he was known as Phife Dawg from the group that perhaps was THE epitome of '90s Hip Hop, A Tribe Called Quest. I can't think of any other MC that elevated himself from a rather mediocre spitter (in my honest opinon) on "People's Instinctive Travels..." to a quick, witted, well flowing, and unique wordsmith in just a little over a year. But that is exactly what Phife did in time for "The Low End Theory" (1991) where he played a significant role and would be the beginning of Tribe including stand-out tracks featuring Phife as the sole emcee (these include one of my all time favorite songs in "8 Million Stories"). For a jazz fanatic such myself I'd have to say that A Tribe Called Quest probably came closer than any other hip-hop group or artist (including other worthy players such as GURU, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Digable Planets and Buckshot LeFonque) in actually chanelling the esthetics and spirits of jazz and seemingly effortlessly transcribing it into a Hip Hop language. Phife and Q-Tip often used their distinct voices in the same way an alto sax player like Cannonball and a tenor player like 'Trane either built tension in "dueling" each other or built on each other solos/verses. Not to mention the call-and-response nature of so many of their classic hooks, a main staple of american black music dating all the way back to the plantation field and becoming an important part of both jazz and blues ... And that's just in speaking about the vocal part of the group's legacy. Tribe truly introduced the power of the low end to Hip Hop, with their heavy use of the acoustic bass (or stand up bass if you will) to fantastic effect... not to mention their heavy reliance on the Fender Rhodes electric piano which instantly recognizable sound had helped define jazz since the late '60s and been especially important in soul jazz and early jazz fusion - two subgenres that would become extremely important as sample sources in Hip Hop over the coming years. But it was Tribe (and a few others like Showbiz and DJ Premier) who really started that trend. Hell they even got Ron Carter to play on "The Low End Theory"!

While some people unflinchingly give too much, sometimes all, credit to Q-Tip alone for Tribe's success story I would go as far as call that straight up blasphemous. I don't buy that for a second. Q-Tip was of course the defacto leader but his claim that he produced all of those records solely by himself I feel are strongly revisionist history - check out a track like "La Schmoove" by Fu Schnickens or the amazing remixes for BDP's "We In There" and that Ice Cube joint that Ali Shaheed produced all by himself. Or why not go back to the HHC interview with the whole group that ran around the time of "Midnight Mauraders" where both Ali and Tip was asked and answered the question what they used when producing their music. And it's a safe bet that up and until "Beats, Rhymes & Life", Phife had suggestions for additions to the music as well - that's just how it works within a group. The whole thing about Tribe could never have come from any single man of the crew, but was the result of thee great, yet different minds came together. In their 10 years as a functioning, working unit this powerhouse trio released five albums - four of them being extremely good, while their last album showed a group struggling to keep it together which is not to say that it doesn't have it's selection of bangers. Although it probably never would have happened either way it is now certain that that final Tribe reunion album will definitely never happen now, and that is a sad confirmation.

But I do hope that Phife recorded enough material and was close enough to finalizing his sophomore solo album which he constantly mentioned in interviews over the last years. The first single, the DJ Rasta Root produced "Dear Dilla" was both a heartfelt dedication to a fallen comrade and an incredibly dope track that spoke to any true hip hop conniseours. As most fans are likely to have whipped out their Tribe albums during the past week, I have a feeling people are still sleeping on Phife's original 1999 debut "Ventilation: Da LP". Released in the same year as Q-Tip's "Amplified", it's easy to see why Tribe didnt have a chance of continuinig post "The Love Movement" at the same time as the differences between the albums sheds light on why the latter album lacked a coherrent sound. While Q-Tip was obviously interested in going a more commercial route, with a stripped down sound without the lush Fender Rhodes sounds and sample heavy jazz esthetic mentioned above, Phife kept it as real as his love for The Knicks for his project. Interestingly enough Jay Dee played a major role in the production of both LP:s (creating four songs for "Ventilation" and its singles) but Phife would complement his work with slamming cuts by Pete Rock (including the criminally overlooked "Melody Adonis", a boom bap manifesto which also featured a Beatminer on the turntables), Hi-Tek, Supa Dave West, Fred Wreck and least succesfully Rick Rock. While it's not a perfect album by far, it is still well worth several listens and was ample proof that Phife could do it on his own although it in a way did show that he sounded best in a grou setting. The same can be said about Q-Tip and "Amplified", and Shaheed's subsequent Lucy Pearl LP the following year. What all three projects truly proved was that each member of A Tribe Called Quest were dope on their own but when they came together as a unit that they truly made miracles happen. Don't forget that!

Though Phife Dawg was quiet the last few years, barely even making guest appearnces (save for some excellent contributions to Slum Village's last two albums and a banger for producer Oh No), he had already left his mark on hip-hop as a culture, on hip-hop as a music form, and on hip-hop as an art form. I hope more people will start to realize how integreal he truly was to A Tribe Called Quest, a group that is often held in the highest of high esteem and often top countdowns of the genre's greatest groups of all time. So while we continue to bump Phife Dawg's music over the coming weeks, let us bump "Ventilation: Da LP" and its B-sides, let us bump Tribe's "People's Instinctive Travels...", "Low End Theory", "Midnight Mauraders", "Beats, Rhymes & Life" and let us bump "The Love Movement". But why should we stop there?!

For your listneing pleasure and in honor of Malik Taylor, also known as The Funky Diabetic and The 5 Foot Assassin, I have put together a compilation of some of his work not appearing on either of the albums mentioned above. It also excludes remixes unless it feature a unique verse by Tha Dawg, such as on the "Stressed Out" single version. Included are tracks ranging from his breakout year, 1991, and up until his final single - the previously mentioned "Dear Dilla", which takes on another dimension of sadness now thaat he himself faced a somewhat similiar fate at a way too early age. Included are production work and additional vocals by musicians such as Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Q-Tip, Consequence, Chi-Ali, Black Sheep, De La Soul, Diamond D, Pete Rock, Chip Fu, Whitey Don, Oh No, J Dilla and Slum Village but there's no question that this is Phife's show all the way. Included are also most of the rare underground 12" EP:s he released throughout the years. YOU'RE ON POINT PHIFE!! REST IN POWER!!

01. "Ya Heard Me"? [prod. by Dilla] [1998]
02. "If Men Are Dogs" (1997)
03. "Brooklyn / Queens AllStars" (1997)
04. "Pains & Strife" (w. Diamond D & Pete Rock) [1997]
05. "Scheming" (w. Slum Village & Posdnous) [prod. Dilla] (2010)
06. "Push It Along" (w. Slum Village) [prod. by Dilla] (2013)
07. "Miscallenous" [DJ Hi-Tek's Luv Boat Mix] (1999)
08. "La Schmoove" (w. Phife & Ali Shaheed) [1992]
09. "Let The Horns Blow" (w. Chi-Ali, Black Sheep & Dove)
10. "Artical" [Original Posse Mix] (w. Whitey Don & Chip-Fu) [1992]
11. "Game Day" (Ft. Rodney Hampton) [prod. by Dilla] (1996]
12. "Diggy Diaect" (w. Hawkeye) [prod. by DJ Rasta Root] [2003]
13. "U Know U Want It" (w. Charlie & Rose) [prod. DJ Rasta Root] (2003]
14. "Who Got The Funk" (w. Scientists Of Sound) [prod. by Q-Tip] (1995)
15. "Dues N Don'ts" (w. Jesse James) [prod. by Oh No] [2008]
16. "Thought U Wuz Nice" [prod. by J Dilla] [1996]
17. "Dear Dilla" (The Closing Statement) [prod. Rasta Root] [2012]

BONUS TRACK
18. "Stressed Out" [Baby Phife's Version] [prod. by The Ummah] [1996]

PHIFE DAWG - "CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MALIK TAYLOR" 
[mirror link]

[Album] D'ANGELO - "The Black Messiah"

The golden grail of modern soul music has just been unleashed on the sleeping population as D'Angelo has finally released his first new album in 14 years. Following up one of the greatest albums of all tiime, 1999's "Voodoo", is no small task but the twelve songs that D has perfected with The Vanguard on "Black Messiah" will very likely be considered a classic some years from now. Fans of the super talented multi-instrumentalist and singer will welcome this as a return to form I have no doubt and listening to the first few songs I can attest to this being some truly great shit. As of now "Black Messiah" is available via digital retailers sand can also be streamed via Spotify (see below). Guest features include fellow Soulquarians ?uestlove and Q-Tip as well as Parliament's Kendra Foster. Support D's return @ iTunes while we wait for physical copies of this funky monster. Christmas came early!

ADaD - "Get it Together" [prod. Q-TIP]

The two most recent production credits from Q-Tip came with a soulful cut for John Legend ("Tomorrow" from the very great "Love in the Future") and an almost disco like '70s-ish single for Mariah Carey ("Meteorite"), so its great to hear the genius lace some real boom bap right here for Chicago emcee ADaD. "Get it Together" is a great blend of fine chemistry between an emcee and his producer so don't sleep.

YOUNG ZEE - "Problems" / "Everybody Get" [Q-Tip Remix]

Before Tha Outsidaz was a name known outside Brick City, Young Zee managed to get a record deal with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis label Perspective Records. Two promo singles was released in '96, the Ski produced "Problems" (which I dug up the music video for which you see up top) and "Everybody Get". Unfortunately like so many other dope '90s albums, "Musical Meltdown" as it was titled was shelved but not before a very limited amount of promo cassettes had been sent out to publications and radio stations for reviews and promotion. Strangely enough, The LP only received a two mics rating in The Source which I find quite odd considering that it's exactly a pretty banging record with guest verses and production by Lauryn Hill, KRS-One, Rah Digga, Ski Beatz, PaceWon, Twista. That wack The Source review might very well have been one of the reasons the album never got an official release  as critics pulled a lot of weight back in those days.

However, the vinyl heads at Dope Folk Records have finally made the album available to collectors via a two volume vinyl pressing for $20 each. Unfortunately the first volume, featuring the first 30 minutes of the album, is already out of print but Part 2 can be purchased here. Since it's limited to 300 copies you'd better hurry up if you want one for your collection. Once they are out of print I will upload the entire album here @ The Lost Tapes since it definitely deserves to be heard by as many people as possible if you ask me. One real cool thing about Dope Folk Records reissue is that they dug up a previously unreleased Q-Tip remix of the single "Everybody Get", and we all know that mid-'90s Abstract beats are pure GOLD. Check it out below...

[Documentary] NAS - "Time is Illmatic"

For me there is three absolute perfect hip-hop albums ever created and released, one being Raekwon's "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...", one being Eric B. & Rakim's "Follow The Leader" and the last one of course being the debut album of the young Nasir Jones - "Illmatic". The latter was released exactly 20 years ago on April 19 and it's definitely nothing strange about how well this record has stood the test of time. Still to this day, maybe only Rakim's vocal performance on "Follow The Leader" is as well-rounded, from the song writing, to the advanced lyrical genius, the clever metaphors and the immaculate flow all perfectly married to the music which in the case of "Illmatic" set a new standard that lives on to this day as Nas gathered a plethora of the hottest hip-hop producers around rather than having one beat head work on the entire album. DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Pro and Q-Tip all came from succesfull New York groups of their own but came together based on the unbelivable talent they heard this 19 year old display on the microphone. The song that stood out in a respect was "Life's A Bitch" as it was not only the other track featuring an unknown Queens producer (L.E.S.) but also featured the only guest apperance on the album with AZ. Fortunately both of these debutants suprised everyone by supplying guest verses and beats, respectively, that were just as good as the others and have definitely stood the test of the time. If you're looking for a perfect album, "Illmatic" is the one and maybe only example of what an absolutely flawless hip-hop LP is supposed to sound. But you know all this already, so why I dwell on it....

As previously reported on April 19, Nas and Colombia/Sony is releasing the 20:th anniversary of "Illmatic" (called the XX Edition). Beside the original ten track set, remastered to sound as good as possible, the release include a second disc that includes remasters of every single one of the original 1994 remixes by producers like Large Pro, Groove Merchantz, Joe The Butcher, LG Experience, Q-Tip, Def Jef, and the UK:s The Creators and Dave Scratch - all originally available on the original 12" singles. The remaining bonus tracks are remastered versions of a 8 minutes Stretch & Bobbito Show freestyle circa early '94 as well as the previously unreleased (in any official capacity) "I'm A Villain. In other words a much better reissue than the 10 anniversary 2xCD from 2004 - what would be the dot over the i would be to have one of the CD:s enhanced and include the 20 minute documentary "Time is Illmatic" which you can see above.

[comp] Q-TIP - "Tippin' The Scale"

"The greatest producer on the mic" will forever be linked with Diamond D and his verse on The Fugees' "The Score", and while both Diamond and Q-Tip would make my top 10 of best producers of all time my personal choice for best producer on the mic would quite undoubtedly fall upon The Abstract. The way that he both was responsible for the timeless musical arrangements and most of the equally timeless verses on his Tribe crew's three first albums (as well as a large chunk of the two final records as well), not to mention his many outstanding works as a producer-for-hire which included productions for artists such as Nas, Craig Mack, Mobb Deep, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Run-DMC, and many others (including co-producing the entirety of jazz guitarist and close friend Kurt Rosenwinkel's 2003 album "Heartcore"). Together all this amounts to an extremely impressive production portfolio. Last year I collected 16 of my favorite non-Tribe 'Tip productions on my compilation "Abstractions of Funk", so be sure check that out if you haven't.

Yet, Q-Tip is most likely even more known as an emcee, and a truly legendary one at that. Since he bursted on to the scene as a focused youngin' in '89 with classics such as "Bonita Applebum" and "Can I Kick It?", his unmistakable nasal flow, clever wordplay, and humorous but often very personal lyrics has been a true staple of hip-hop forever since. As first evident by how each Tribe album took a new musical direction, he's one who's surely never been afraid of change and trying out new things. These qualities are the makings of a true artist - from his first solo album, the often misunderstood "Amplified" (1999) to the experimental but often brilliant "Kamaal/The Abstract" (2002), 'Tip now made it clear that he would dissapoint those fans not willing to let their favorite artist break free of what was expected from him rather than put any artistic restraints on himself. The label however didn't share Fareed's enthusiasm for the experimental and the eclectic; both his albums "Kamaal/The Abstract" was passed over by the label and shelved, until 2011 when Q-Tip finally got the masters back, and what would become his Motown debut "Open" in 2005 (I will post this album in a minute). A few of the standouts from the latter would be remade and remixed for what at the moment is 'Tip's latest album, the critically acclaimed "The Renaissance" that took a more back-to-basics approach. Entirely produced by the artist himself (save for two tracks handled by the late, great J Dilla), and with very little guest artists, the result was one of the absolute strongest LP:s of 2008, as well as a celebration of the true best producer of the microphone.

Next up in the Q-Tip saga is an album ("The Last Zulu")  on the more commercially oriented Kanye West operated G.O.O.D. Music imprint. Undoubtedly, it will be very interesting to see how this will turn out, but as Kamaal never have been one to compromise his musical integrity, I sure ain't worried. Add to that, Q-Tip's recent productions (Kanye West, Jay-Z/Kanye, Roc Marciano, John Legend, etc) and the few new tracks on his new mixtape with Busta Rhymes "The Abstract & The Dragon" (especially check the 'Tip produced "Thank You" and the title track). While we're waiting for the new album that should be out sometime during the first half of 2014, I've put together a little treat for y'all my intelligent readers.

Consisting of 16 classic Q-Tip collaborations, "Tippin' The Scale", features a plethora of some of the Tribe leaders most outstanding cameos. Aside from making sure everything flows together extremely well and features nothing but good music, the compilation is based around three themes - staying clear of Q-Tip solo tracks, songs simultaneously produced by and featuring 'Tip, and showing off the diversity of musical styles the man once named Josh Davis can handle with ease. For that reason I have not only included bangers like the Buckwild produced Beastie Boys joint, the Dilla laced Heavy D track, Statik Selektah's joint with Q-Tip, Term and Styles P, the legendary Mad Skillz/Large Pro/Q-Tip collaboration, and so on. In addition to this we got collabos with DJ Shadow, Chemical Brothers, Lucy Pearl, and legendary jazz/fusion bass god Stanley Clarke. The latter which also happens to be the only song on here co-produced by Kamaal. All in all, this makes for an extremely interesting 65 minutes journey into the rhymes of life courtesy of Mr. Fareed, and as mentioned above to check out his beats to the rhyme of life make sure you also peep "Abstractions of Funk". Without further due, here's another dope The Lost Tapes presentation.. Enjoy and TURN IT UP!!

01. "B.I.G. Dedication @ Lyricist Lounge"

02. "Extra Abstract Skillz" (Ft. Mad Skillz & Large Professor)

03. "Come On Down" (Ft. Big Daddy Kane & Busta Rhymes)

04. "Lightworks" (Ft. Talib Kweli)

05. "All The Way Live" (Ft. Tha Alkaholiks & King Tee)

06. "Get It Together: Buckwild Remix" (Ft. Beastie Boys)

07. "Enuff" (Ft. DJ Shadow & Lateef The Truth Speaker)

08. "Keep It Moving" (Ft. Hi-Tek, Kurupt & Dion)

09. "We Can Make It Better" (Ft. Kanye West, Rhymefest & Talib Kweli)

10. "To The Beat" (Ft. Rahzel)

11. "1, 2 To The Bass" (Ft. Stanley Clarke)

12. "You" (Ft. Lucy Peal & Snoop Doog)

13. "Birds Of A Feaher" (Ft. Black Sheep, Dave & Mike Gee)

14. "The Body Rock" (Ft, Mos Def & Tash)

15. "Stop, Look, Listen" (Ft. Statik Selektah, Q-Tip, Styles P, Termanology)

16. "Galvanize" (Ft. Chemical Brothers)

Q-TIP - "TIPPIN' THE SCALE"

JOHN LEGEND - "Tomorrow" [prod. Q-TIP] / "Wanna Be Loved" [prod. ALI SHAHEED MUHAMMAD]

A long with a very few soul/R&B artists of the day, such as Anthony Hamilton, D'Angelo, Tre Williams, John Legend has always paid respect to his musical roots, unlike the plastic R&B artists that dominates the watered downn cash-hungry industry of the day. In late August, Legend followed up his critically aclaimmed collaboration of classic '70s soul cover songs with The Roots ("Wake Up!") with his new LP "Love in the Future". Unlike its predecessesor the new album contained nothng but new material from the singer/songwriter/pianist, was executive produced by KanYe West (who also provides co-production, additional or main production on 12 of its songs), with production by Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, respecitvely (!), Twilite Tone (a.k.a. Y-Not of early Common Sense fame), two joints by Bink!, 88 Keys and more.

I actually just found out about this album yesterday, as it ompletely flew under my radar and while I havem't found the time to give it a front-to-back listen yet, you know I had to bang the respective Tribe productions which turned out to be very welcome treats. While 90% of the LP's songs features at the minimum 3-4 producers (like any KanYe helmed album of the day), the Q-Tip track utilizes a beautiful sampling style and is credited as the sole producer for what is entitled "Tomorrow". It's of course a soul track but it features plenty of Kamaal's abstract production trademarks - several layers of music, together creating an extremely beautiful, driving backdop for Legend. To my ears it sounds like a well-orchestrated production fusion of samples and live instrumentation. A beautiful rhythm, a nice synth bridge, a drivimg basslime that does a amazing job , not to mention the beautiful sampled vocal itro and accompanying strings. 

As mentioned above, The Abstract isn't the only original ATCQ member to pop up on this release, but so does producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad on another sweet moving soul banger called  "Wanna Be Loved". Produced in conjunction with Doc McKinney, you can find trademarks from many of Ali's earlier soul productions like those heard on the "Lucy Pearl" album (1999), just to name one project. John's vocals are constantly in the forefront, but the background music is just as layered as 'Tip's contribution, tight drum and bass combination, nice strings, and several additional instruments that you best experience in full through headpohones. You'll find the download for both songs below so make sure to check them out... Whether you're a big soul fan, this is amust hear. It hasn't been releaased as a single, but this one's on the house my droogs! And be sure to support John Legend @ Amazon or your retailer of choice!
 

*JOHN LEGEND - "TOMORROW" [prod. Q-TIP]

*JOHN LEGEND - "WANNA BE LOVED"
[prod.ALI SHAHHED MUHAMMAD & Doc McKinney]"

[Mixtape] BUSTA RHYMES & Q-TIP - "The Abstract & The Dragon"

I've been mightily excited about the prospect of a full-length mixtape of mostly new music from Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip since "The Abstract & The Dragon" was first announced some two months back. Now that it's out there is unfortunately not as many new tracks that I had hoped, but the many classics created by this creative and super well-matched duo makes for a superb listening experience on any rainy day... And I finally got a chance to hear that brilliantly funky DJ Scratch remix of 'Tip's "Gettin' Up" in the quality it deserves to be heard! The few previously unreleased cuts goes fucking hard too, so in all I'd say this makes for a very welcome release from two of hip-hop's true heavyweights. Salute!

Damu The Fudgemunk - "Spirit Of Ummah"

Yesterday I posted Damu's "Coffe Run", which will land as side B of an exclusive 45 given away as a bonus item with the release of The Fudgemunk's new LP "Spare Overtime Re-Inspired". Tonight I got the A-side of that 7" for y'all, a smooth remix of the instrumental "Randi" - recorded in late 2011 in the spirit of Jay Dee's, Q-Tip's and Ali Shaheed's mid-'90s sound. "Spirit Of Ummah" courtesy of 2DBZ, thanks!

BUSTA RHYMES / Q-TIP - "Thank You"

With their extreme styles on their respective  sides of the lyrical spectrum, Busta Rhymes & Q-Tip have always been perfect compliments to each other; resulting in a load of classic and terrific records ("Scenario", "You Can't Hold the Torch", "Ill Vibe", "Oh My God", "Get You Some", "Do It", "Get Up - The DJ Scratch Remix", etc.). Now the duo reunites for Busta's new single "Thank You", produced by Tip, and while it can't compete with the tracks mentioned above it's still a pretty nice lil' joint clearly worth a listen. This marks the first single from the forthcoming "Extinction Level Event Pt. II" (a sequel to an album I highly enjoyed) and "Thank You" is better than the vast, vast majority of the horrendous "Back On My B.S." - the highly charged emcees last album that might just be the worst album I ever heard from an artist I usually like and respect.

Conference w/ Q-Tip @ Red Bull Music Academy

Some of the most interesting part of being a hip-hop fanatic these days is to be able to attend Red Bull Music Academy's musical seminars, whether you do it from home or as part of the audience. Last year we got extensive interviews with Wu-Tang Clan, MF DOOM, Mobb Deep and Black Moon to name a few, and in 2013 there's no shortage of dope artists. The most interesting, if you ask me however, is The Abstract himself, Joan Davis or Kamaal Ibn Fareed, best known as Q-Tip who sat down with Chariman Mao for a two hour must hear session where the former Tribe leader speaks on some of his finest production work, sharing secrets and trivia, and shares about his working relationship with KanYe West and G.O.O.D. Music.

One of the most interesting part of the two hour set is that Q-Tip loads up the MPC with a 1:30 snippet of the original "Mama's Boyfriend", the Billy Joel sampling cut that he created for West's impeccable "My Dark Twisted Fantasy". The song was said to be included on the LP almost until the CD/2xLP hit stores, but due to sample clearances KanYe was even considering using a Souljah Boy remix (a horrible mix that would leak to the net not too long after the LP release). I really hope we get to hear a full CDQ version of Q-Tip's original mix in a near future, as it sounds like it sounds right at home with tracks like "That's My Bitch", "Lif Off", and "Chain Heavy". I suggest you listen to the complete set, but if you're too eager to just hear the extended "Mama's Boyfriend" snippet (being that we've been wanting to hear this one for a couple of years), just press play below.

The Story of The Crooklyn Dodgers

The monumental meeting between Masta Ace, Black Moon, Special Ed, A Tribe Called Quest and Spike Lee that resulted in "Crooklyn", a track that'll go down in history as one of the finest 12" singles of all time. The song was of course a one-shot deal, made for Spike Lee's beautiful film of the same name, but there's a lot more to the story that you may not know... Now Red Bull Music Academy, who's really been blessing hip-hop heads with fantastic music seminars over the last couple of years, have put together a brilliant interview based around the making and aftermath of the original "Crooklyn". Pretty much everyone who was involved with the joint except for Ali Shaheed Muhammad is interviewed; did you know that ODB was originally supposed to be on it?; did you know that the trio first recorded all completely different verses over the beat?; did you know that Evil Dee was involved in the production?; etc, etc. In other words, an absolute must read for any serious hip-hop connoisseur - CHECK IT OUT!

01. "Crooklyn" [Baseball Mix]

02. "Crooklyn" [Instrumental]

03. "Crooklyn" [Full Mix]

CROOKLYN DODGERS - "CROOKLYN"

Busta Rhymes x Q-Tip - "Poetic Justice" [Remix)

 Bus-A-Bus and The Abstract have been a memorale combination ever since Busta first laid his memorable performances on 1990's "Scenario". The song is lifted from the 2012 mixtape "The Conglomerate" Here the duo goes in over Drake's "Poetic Justice", produced by Scoop DeVille. What do you think, should I make a Busta/'Tip compilation?

BUSTA RHYMES / CONS - "Poetic Justice"

Consequence - "Trust Fund Baby"

It seems cousins Consequence and Q-Tip has patched things up and got down to some new music as the latter provides the production on Cons' latest single "Trust Fund Baby" that will make its way to his "Curb Certified 2" tape. The Abstract still knows how to make a track thump, I'm feeling that bass which comes out just right when the piano layer is added on top; sick! Spotted @ 2DBz.

In related news, Q-Tip has revealed that he's signed a deal with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music imprint and is currently recording his next solo album, "The Last Zulu" which he hopes to put out for the world to hear in 2013. It's great to see such a legendary innovator still being on top of his game. Well deserved.

CONSEQUENCE - "TRUST FUND BABY"

J.Period / Q-Tip - "[Abstract] Best Vol. 1"

As I just reported, DJ J. Period just released a box of goodies of mixtapes as well as various exclusive tributes of classics by grear artists. A while back, the mixtape DJ hooked up with the legend known as Q-Tip (a/k/a The Abstract and Kamaal) and released the banging tape called "[The Abstract] Best, Vol. 1" in 2009. Close to 50 tracks over 80 minutes, this tape was really professionally executed and feature a great mix of classic Tribe and Tip joints, remixes, original sample sources and tribute verses by Nas, Kweli, De La and more. Since "Vol. 2" is on the way, it's time you give this a spin in case you missed out on it the first time round. Tracklist and link from J. Period's OFFICIAL server below.  For more downloads and news about fure J.Period projects visit J. Period's official website.

01. J.Period f. Prince Paul, Questlove & Randy Watson– Rhythm (Scratch Intro)
02. Cannonball Adderly / Excursions Intro
03. J.Period f. De La Soul – Excursions (Tribute Remix)
04. Aquarius Interlude #1: Welcome
05. Q-Tip f. Busta Rhymes – Getting Up (DJ Scratch Remix) (The Renaissance)
06. Behind the Scenes: Ghetto Origins [Produced by J.Period]
07. What the Fuss f. Stevie Wonder (Shook Remix)
08. Queens Represent (Interlude)
09. Mobb Deep f. Nas & Q-Tip – Give Up the Goods (J.Period Remix) [Prod. Q-Tip]
10. Apache – Gangsta Bitch [Produced by Q-Tip]
11. ATCQ – If the Papes Come (Intro)
12. ATCQ – Check the Rhime
13. Behind the Scenes: Don’t Walk Away (Interlude)
14. ATCQ –Award Tour
15. Behind the Scenes: Award Tour (Interlude)
16. Hot Butter (Interlude)
17. J.Period f. Dres – Jazz Pt. 2 (Tribute Remix)
18. Behind the Scenes: We Got the Jazz (Interlude)
19. J.Period f. Blu– Jazz (Tribute Remix)
20. Skypager: Bob Power & Big Daddy Kane (Interlude)
21. Q-Tip f. Jay Dilla – Let’s Ride
22. Behind the Scenes: Bob Power You There? (Interlude)
23. Q-Tip – Vivrant Thing (Remix)
24. Q-Tip – Move (The Renaissance)
25. Q-Tip – Breathe & Stop (J.Period Remix)
26. Respect to Phife Dawg (Interlude)
27. J.Period f. Consequence & Kid Cudi – Buggin Out (Tribute Remix)
28. ATCQ Consists Of…
29. Behind the Scenes: The Native Tongues (Interlude)
30. De La Soul f. Jungle Brothers, Q-Tip, Monie Love & Queen Latifah – Buddy (Remix)
31. Respect to Ali Shaheed Muhammed (Interlude)
32. Q-Tip f. Busta Rhymes – N.T.
33. A Message From Talib Kweli
34. J.Period f. Questlove, Talib Kweli & Randy Watson – Youthful (Tribute Remix)
35. Q-Tip f. Amanda Diva – ManWomanBoogie (The Renaissance)
36. Chris Rock: Men vs. Women (Interlude)
37. De La Soul f. Q-Tip – Saturdays
38. De La Soul f. Q-Tip & Phife – Saturdays (Remix)
39. Q-Tip – She Likes to Move (J.Period Remix)
40. Dee-Lite f. Q-Tip – Groove Is in the Heart
41. Beastie Boys f. Q-Tip – Get it Together
42. Behind the Scenes: What Is Kapelka? (Interlude)
43. J.Period f. Skillz, Questlove & Randy Watson – What? (Tribute Remix)
44. Behind the Scenes: Busta Rhymes / Scenario (Interlude)
45. Busta Rhymes – Scenario (Unreleased Demo Tape)
46. Behind the Scenes: Hood R.I.P. (Interlude)
47. Hood – Scenario (Remix)
48. Aquarius Outtro
49. Behind the Scenes (Bonus): Reinvention (Kamaal the Abstract – A Million Times)

 J. PERIOD / Q-TIP - "[ABSTRACT] BEST, VOL. 1"

J. Period / Pharoahe / Black Thought....

The great mixtape DJ, J. Period, has teamed up with TrueElements Music & FLuD Watches to release what might turn out to be the future of mixtapes in this digital age we're living in. Called "Mixtapes Are Not A Crime", a limited edition USB collection, a one-of-a-kind stainless-steel jump drive, laser-engraved with J. Period's "MIXTAPES ARE NOT A CRIME" logo, and packaged in its own jet-black miniature flight case, designed by FLuD. Register and order your copy now @ J. Period / FLuID Release and if you're still not sure check the content and download two exclusive Black Thought and Pharoahe Monch takes on some classic Tribe at the bottom of this post. Enjoy ma'fuckas!

Included in the package are a shitload of exclusive material:
J. Period & Q-Tip - [Abstract] Best Vol. 1 (12" Singles Deluxe Edition)
J. Period & Q-Tip - [Abstract] Best Vol. 2 (Seven track sneak peak)
J. Period & Mary J-Blige - "Queen Of Hip-Hop Soul" (Vol 1, 2 n 3)
J. Period & K'naans - "The Messengers" [Instrumental Collection]
J. Period, The Roots & John Legend - "Wake Up! Radio" (12" Singles Collection)
J. Period Bootlegs: Unreleased Remixes From Tha Vaults

BLACK THOUGHT - "STEVE BILKO" [J. PERIOD Rmx]
PHAROAHE MONCH - "MIDNIGHT" [J. PERIOD Rmx]

Q-Tip breaks down his catalouge in VIBE

Possibly hip-hop's greatest triple threat (producer, emcee and, DJ) spoke on some of his essential albums and guest features to Vibe back in late July this year. I totally forgot to post this despite 'Tip being one of my favorite producer/MCs, but better late than never right? Because this is a great read for any fan of the man and his music. Loads of interesting trivia on here, like ODB was originally to be a part of the first incarnation of The Crooklyn Dodgers, Or Biggie wanting to record an album with 'Tip and Dilla following "Life After Death" or how Q-Tip brought the sample to his collaboration with The Roots on "Illadelph Halflife", etc. The only thing I feel a little skeptic about is Kamaal saying Dilla made about 5 tracks on "Amplified" although he's credited on 11 of 13 songs and in a previous interview with Kamaal, he revealed that Jay Dee made about 75% of those tracks while 'Tip added a snare and some minor stuff.

Either way, this is a very good read so don't sleep! And in case you missed out on my Tribe compilations before, here's a new chance - "Q-Tip Production Works Vol. 1" and "Completing The Quest". Enjoy and thanks to Step One for sharing the link.

FULL CLIP: Q-TIP @ VIBE.COM

SAMPLE WARS: "Smilin' Billy Suite Pt. 2"

The Heath Brothers was a US Jazz group that was active between 1975 to to 1998, with a few reunions after that to top it off. For hip-hop heads and beatmakers they are most recognized for the '75 classic "Shiny Billy Suite" which Q-Tip would use the main part of to create the mystical sounding "One Love" for a young Nas' debut album. Considering the immense street succees of that joint, Jimmy Heat's composition would clear several other hip-hop joints with his record. In this post I focus on samples that have been used by at least two artists to great success and asks my readers which one y'all think is the hottest. Let me know in the comments section. I will have both YouTube videos for streaming plus download links to the songs in question. Oh, and this great idea originally came from WuTangCorp Forum's own GHOSTLACED so I hope he don't mind me using this as a section on The Lost Tapes. Aight, here we go:

 

"Smilin' Billy Suite" appeared on the Heath Brothers duo debut in 1976, ""Marchin' On", which was released on Strata-O. In fact the eight track long LP's B-side was entirely dedicated to "Smilin Billy Suit" (hence the name), it's a four part suite. The one us hip-hop junkies are mostly interested in is Part 2 (seen in the video above and downloadable below) which was been borrowed and re-flipped for records by artists like Dr. Dre, Q-Tip/Nas, Amy Winehouse, The Beatnuts, Erick Sermon/Redman and Leschea to name a few. I'm going to focus on my three favorites though. Check it out!

Redman's third full-length, "Muddy Waters", might have been Red's redemption album; showing these fucks he's still one of the most lyrical and funniest emcees to ever grab a mic. Not that "Dare iz a Darkside" is a bad album at all (I actually think it's pretty damn sick) but at the time he was catching some flack for the way-out-there lyrics. The following offering in 1996 was more of a back to basics LP, with dirty funk-king Sermon once again handling 85% of production duties, and filled with the humorous top of the line lyricism.Red was officially back no matter who you were, even those who loved "Dare Iz...", most agrees that "Muddy Watters" is the best album in Red's catalouge. "Soopaman Lova 3" samples the Heath Brothers track in its beginning part, but after about half the song the beat switches up totally. And since the credits says both Red and Semon produced it, it might be so that Sermon produced the first part and Red the last one or vice versa. Either way, it's am incredible track and my personal favorite in the "Soopaluva" series,

This is the classic opener to the masterpiece that is The Beatnuts self-titled debut (personally I call it "Street Level" since I think it sounds better). This is one of the rare US productions by Lucién (real hip-hop heads know who he is) who lived in the country in early to mid-'90s and worked a bit with the Native Tounges Posse; he later moved back to Paris where he changed his name to Papalú and worked with the likes of Afro Jazz. On here, Lucien incorporates the "Shiny Suit" sample into his beat much more subtle than the two other producers. You can clearly hear vibraphone part floating in and out of the bacground of the beat which is pretty cool in it's own right and perfect for the record.

 

Last but not least on this three-tracks countdown is one of the most classic hip-hop song of all time, and even if The Beatnuts did it first, it was really on "One Love" that the Heath Brother's track really got to shine. Q-Tip's sole composition on Nasty's album heavily borrowed from the original song, addding some harder drums but mostly keeping it true to the formula.The mysterious production, amplified by the vibes, was the perfect backdrop for the young Nasir to spill his thoughts to and the overall record stands as a classic, still to this day.

Download all four songs in High Quaity below

SAMPLE WARS VOL. 1

[Comp] Q-TiP - "ABSTRACTIONS OF FUNK"

Kamaal Ibn Fareed a/ka Q-Tip a/k/a The Abstract has been an active force in the hip-hop community for well over 20 years. With one of the most easily recognizable, and easy listening voices in the game, his witty vocal style and mixture of personal, politics and party records has made him one of hip-hop's top lyricists, and one of the few who never fell off; in fact he released one of the unquestionably best albums of 2008. The largely self-produced "The Renaissance" brought back that good vibe music that made his A Tribe Called Quest so popular, while still updating the formula enough to show fans and DJs that he's still interested in evolving the music. But it's not just his nassal voice and abstract rhyme scemes that has put him on the map; in fact he's one of the illest producers to ever touch a SP1200 or an MPC.  Having access to a huge jazz collection through his father it was only natural that he would start incorporating jazz music into the uprising hip-hop scene he so badly wanted to be a part of.

Hooking up with class mates and friends Ali Shaheed Muhammad (producer/DJ), Phife Dawg (emcee/hype man) and Jarobi (mystery man), A Tribe Called Quest was born and though they couldn't know it then, Tribe would go on to help change hip-hop music at least three times during its decade long run. Being a self-proclaimed perfectionist, Q-Tip worked in a production capacity on all the Tribe albums; beside partner Ali Shaheed only a select few were allowed to guest produce a song on each LP (Skeff Anselm, Large Pro, Rashad Smith), and later the young producer Jay Dee who Q-Tip took under his wing  and managed.

Through his work on the five Tribe albums and his three solo albums, Tip's name would already have solidifed him as one of the all time greats. But as if that wasn't enough, throughout the years he had a hand in countless classic albums and singles outside his group work. Most notably, he produced "One Love" for Nas' debut, a timeless and immortal song, and played a large role in the making of Mobb Deep's "The Infamous" album, where he not only produced thee cuts but oversaw and mixed much of the project. Further, he produced cuts for memorable cuts for Run DMC, Craig Mack, Apache, Cypress Hill and even R&B superstars like Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston. And with all the classics under his belt, he could easily call it a day and retire as a legend, but instead he keeps dropping material, producing for artists and working on a fourth solo album for Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label. The compilation below tries to showcase fifteen standout tracks from The Abstract's career, spanning the early years all the way to 2010's "Chain Heavy". And while you're downloading, and then listening,, make sure to check out this VIBE article where he breaks down a bunch of his classics from the early '90s to 2009. Skilled in the trade of that ol' boom bap!

01. Craig Mack - "Get Down" [The Abstract Remix] (Ft. Q-Tip)
02. Mobb Deep - "We Live This" [O.G. Q-Tip Mix] (Ft. Shanté & Big Noyd)
03. Tiger - "Who Planned It" (Ft. Q-Tip)
04. Grant Green / Diane Reeves - "Down Here On The Ground" [Ummah Mix]
05. Raphael Saadiq & Q-Tip - "Get Involved"
06. Da Bush Babees - "Three MCs" (Ft. Q-Tip)
07. Apache -"Gangsta Bitch"
08. Cypress Hill - "Illusions" [Q-Tip Remix]
09. NaS - "The World Is Yours" [Tip Mix]
10. Mobb Deep - "Temperature's Rising" [The Abstract Remix]
11. Run DMC - "Come On Everybody"
12. Chi Ali - "Roadrunner" [Puberty Mix]
13. Jungle Brothers - "On The Road Again" [Remix] (Ft. Q-Tip]
14. Janet - "Got Til' It's Gone" [The Ummah's Uptown Saturday Night Remix]
15. KanYe West / Talib Kweli / Consequence - "Chain Heavy"

Q-Tip - "ABSTRACTIONS OF FUNK"