J. Jeudy Jr. (jjeudy@hotmail.com)
Fri, 09 Oct 1998 13:39:00 PDT
Just wanted to pass a few comments on what's been blessing my stereo.
First off, Tribe Called Quest's new album is again another for the
hip-hop vaults. A lot of people are going to listen to it and be
disappointed because it's not the Low End Theory all over again. But
being that this is their last as album (as a group anyway), I think it
makes a statement of where the group has been and how they want to be
remembered. The Love Movement is just plain out happy vibes, as if they
didn't care about all the music politics and the fan fickleness. It's
also a personal groove of what there's a lack of in today's music,
love-- love of self, each other, and hip-hop.
"Find A Way" kinda brings it back where Bonita left off. Also tight are
"Start It Up"; "Like It Like That"; "Give Me" (feat. Noriega); "The
Love". Also included are 6 remixes of previous Tribe hits that most
have already heard but now finally have at home on CD. All in all, i'm
not going to say that I didn't expect more, but the album in and of
itself still pushes hip-hop on to the next level.
For another dose of real hip-hop, try the debut album by Blackstar bka
Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Those who know have probably heard their
underground cuts such as "Universal Magnetic" and "Fortified Live"
(**Those who don't know can pick up the Rawkus records "Soundbombing"
indie compilation which has these and other hits from the label**) Mos
Def has also appeared on De La Soul's last album, the current Tribe
album and various underground freestyles. The album has many thick beats
to get your head noddin. Highlights include a remake of Slick Rick's
Children's Story directed at the face of hip-hop's Cristal poppin
artists; "Astronomy"; "Brown Skin Lady", "Knowledge of Self";
"Respiration" -- did I just about name the whole album? Interestingly
enough much of the production is by producers Hi-Tek and Shawn J Perod
who also used to work with the Ummah (of current employment with Tribe
Called Quest; also check out the sleeper "Gravity" by the Bush Babies
which also has cuts by all three producers and appearances by Mos Def --
talk about six degrees of separation!)
For other underground hip hop, there is the VINYL-ONLY release of one of
the tightest albums never to see the light of day. The artist know as
InI was on the Elektra label with an album produced by Soul Brother
himself, Pete Rock. To think about the vibe of the album, just think
about the song "Jazz" on Tribe Called Quest's second album, then you
should have an idea of how tigt this album is. Unfortunately InI was
dropped from the label thus this gem has never been released but is now
avaialble as white label. On a side note, Pete Rock is coming out with
his solo debut sometime in November.
Don't sleep, I'm positive it's going to be phat. (For more info, try
www.sandboxautomatic.com)
More on the jazzy side, pick up "The Adventures of Bread and Butter" a
compilaion of mixes done by these two DJ's Bread (Andrew Sherman)and
Butter (Craig Glanville, who happens to be Dizzy Gillespie's nephew) on
the Jazzateria label. I never heard of them but a sixth sense made me
pick this up and it's WELL worth it. It's a mix of jazz funk with a
touch of hip-hop and spoken word. It also features: Dana Bryant, Roy
Hargrove, Kenny Garrett, Lalah Hathaway, Adam Clayton Powell, and Dizzy
Gillespie.
My last plug is for a jazzy/deep house compilation I stumbled into.
NOTE: I never usually by house compilations since their never really
what I'm into, but this actually made me want to dance in the store! The
comp's calle "Le Punk Funk: Vol 9" and is a mix of underground house
from top French artists. The album is soooo smooth and jazzy I can't
believe i hadn't heard any of these cuts sooner. Since house music is
truly to each his own taste, I won't push this too far, but if anyone
else has heard it or decides to buy it, give feedback so my voice isn't
the only one! I got my copy at Tower Records and it was actually on
their Listening Station last month. Extra NOTE: OK, I'll shut up after
this ;) I also got the house mix "A Later Shade Of Deep" from Nervous
records since I saw it recommended here which is tight but still not as
tight as this!
Anyway, I'm out of breath so I'll say Peace!
(P.S. :) I hear Mushromm Jazz 2 is coming out really soon, anyone got
additional info?)
Jean Jeudy
jjeudy@hotmail.com
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