“Mentally Mad” has to rate as one of rap’s greatest ever b-sides. Any single with the outstanding “Funky” as the main attraction has already earned it’s keep, but throwing this shit on the flip seals the deal. Hearing Chuck Chillout mix the intro of this track for about five minutes before dropping in the vocals on his old Kiss FM show was the closet thing I ever had to a religious experience back when I was a kid. The beat should be played at speaker-melting levels to enjoy this hardcore “future shock” experience to the fullest. (more…)

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After a few people requested these, I thought it was only right to share a couple of Grimm burners which weren’t included on Scars and Memories. As Brian Beck from Wisconsin correctly pointed out, this version of “Emotions” was reworked for the CD for some reason, so here’s the original 12” mix for those of you who missed out on the Dolo release. (more…)

In recent years, Tuff City has assembled some quality compilations from their vast back catalogue, issuing them on their Ol’ Skool Flava label. The latest two releases are of particular interest, since they highlight some lesser-known productions from Ced Gee and Paul C. You Need Stitches: The Tuff City Sessions assembles the Grandmaster Caz singles that weren’t included on The Grandest Of Them All, which means that the lion’s share of beats are supplied by Ced, including the two previously-unreleased tracks. (more…)

The title track from T La Rock’s first album was also one of it’s strongest. Many of the other songs had extended versions released as single’s with extra verses and edits (“Breakin’ Bells”, “Back To Burn” and “This Beat Kicks”), but “Lyrical King” never made it beyond LP status. For some reason, “Live Drummin’ With The Country Boy”, “Havin’ Fun” and “Three Minutes of Beat Box” were included on the album instead of some of his better b-sides. (more…)

Kid Capri’s 10/09/89 is regarded as one of the best hip-hop mixtapes ever made, up there with Doo Wop’s ‘95 Live, Mister Cee’s Best of Biggie and Tony Touch’s 50 MC’s. The intro killed it with the Stephanie Mills acapella blended with “Impeach The President”, which I’m assuming inspired Ron G to take it to the next stage and make whole tapes of singing mixed with hard beats. (more…)

Poor Righteous Teachers had a strong following during the nineties, and their outspoken front-man is about to drop his second solo effort after an extended hiatus (PRT’s last group album was called Declaration Of Independence and was scheduled to come out on an indy in 2001, but never saw a retail release). The Talented Timothy Taylor is scheduled to hit the shelves in August, and although it’s been nine years since Wise Intelligent had a record out, songs like “Still Black” demonstrate that the break hasn’t softened his resolve one bit. (more…)

Since this is the only Ced Gee / Grandmaster Caz team-up not featured on the You Need Stiches LP (which I’ll review tommorrow), it warrants an appearence here. I suspect that it was left off last years compilation after being licensed to ego trip’s The Big Playback album, and seeing as though Chairman Mao did a superb job with the linear notes, I’ll let him sum things up:

“A little guitar, some “Impeach The President” snares and a few choice turntable manipulations and this former Cold Crush Brother never sounded so jeep ready.”

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As a rule, I don’t really mess with stuff connected to the the Wu-Tang Clan these days unless it’s from The Chef or Ghost, but that “Respect Mine” single that Mathematics dropped a while back was nice (despite being the third song of the same name to use that hook). I didn’t catch the album that was from, but he’s just delivered the follow-up on the Nature Sounds label. (more…)

Here’s one you might have missed – a T La Rock exclusive for the first volume of Fresh Records’ The Rap Pack compilation (you’ve gotta love those dope Gnome characters on the cover). While it sounds like a typical Mantronik production, it is in fact the handywork of a young Quincy Jones III (aka QDIII), who also produced Special K’s “Special K Is Good”. (more…)

Don’t let label typo’s confuse you – “Cedge G” is still Ced Gee when he’s behind the boards in the Ultra Lab.”We’re Back Y’all” is usually forgotten in favor of the superior b-side, “Coolin’ On The Ave”, which – despite being credited to Tuff City’s Aaron Fuchs’ – is now known to be another Paul McKasty creation. (more…)

There comes a point in the career of many rappers when the fresh new ideas start to dry-up, and before long they find themselves falling back onto their tried-and-tested old material and attempt to create an updated version. When guys like AMG start making songs like “Bitch Betta Have My Money 2001”, you know he running on fumes, and when a group like EPMD are reduced to cutting tracks like “You Gots To Chill ‘97” for that fake reunion album, a move which proved to be as predictable as it was unnecessary. (more…)

Mikey D, Large Pro and Da Tuff.

I received this press-release from Mikey D’s manager last week:

Lost Mikey D Album Produced By Paul C Found!

QUEENS, NY – After many years of searching, the lost album by Mikey D & The LA Posse has been found. Produced by the late [legendary] Paul C with scratches by DJ Johnnie Quest, this masterpiece does not disappoint. The project was recorded while Mikey and Quest were signed to Sleeping Bag Records in 1989, but was never released due to Sleeping Bag folding and the untimely passing of Paul C. (more…)

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