Real Underground...

Bonecrusher Crew
-Demented Dungeon pt. 1
-Demented Dungeon pt. 2

1996 red-label

This was a super-limited release that I'm guessing was just pressed up by these guys themselves, and never made it much farther than the SF Bay and its immediate surroundings. It showed up at KZSU mysteriously, seemingly out of nowhere, and I managed to find myself a copy at a local Palo Alto spot, too.

Obviously, it's a response to the "horror-core" trend that had hit around that time, with groups like the Flatlinerz and, of course, the Gravediggaz gaining national notoriety. Ask me, I'd say hip-hop is lacking this kind of lighthearted, quirky creativity these days. It's obviously a joke, but they're taking it seriously enough to say some pretty darn clever stuff, and have fun in the process. And really, it's all just for a laugh. Nobody has fun in hip-hop anymore, unless they're listening to old stuff like this.

And, I once heard word that these guys have a whole album-worth of stuff out there. If anyone can tell me more about that, I'd be much obliged. This is the kind of thing that can earn itself a cult following...

Hindsight, Foresight

Sacred Hoop
-Panhandle feat. Jihad from Third Sight
-Bathtub Gin

1997 Miasmatic Recordings

In anticipation of tomorrow's release of the Symbionese Liberation Album, Third Sight's sophomore full-length, I thought I'd revisit this funky platter that, among other things, looked really nice in translucent maroon vinyl...



Sacred Hoop is a crew from the San Francisco Bay Area's peninsula that has enjoyed somewhat of a cult following in those parts. The group consists of two core members, MC Luke Sick and beatsmith Vrse Murphy, has been backed-up by various DJ's over the years, including the amazing DJ Quest, and enjoys close ties to other Bay Area artists like Z-Man and Eddie K. You might also recognize Luke as the frontman of Brougham.

In this case, though, the shine is focused on guest MC Jihad, frontman for the South Bay supergroup Third Sight. Along with producer/hypeman Dufunk and a producer/DJ named D-Styles, Jihad crafts some of the absolute illest tracks that far too few have been lucky enough to hear. Here, he creeps into Panhandle in a lurking, sort of menacing way that makes you ache to hear what else he might have to say. Luckily, the world will get its chance to do just that as the Symbionese Liberation Album drops tomorrow. Get yourself a copy. Trust me.

Natural Selection

Supernatural
-Buddah Blessed It
-Mind Tricks

1995 eastwest/Atlantic

Most people know the name. Supernatural might be the #1 "ill freestyle MC who just couldn't quite cut it on a record." I never heard the demo, but it seems that his skills off-the-top were enough to earn him more than just a listen from the likes of Atlantic affiliate eastwest records. I never cared much for the a-side, yet another ode to the green stuff, but the KRS-produced Mind Tricks has much to offer. It's funky, unique, and memorable. A mix-show classic. A treat from the Boom-Bap era.



-and by the way, peep the GrandGood link to the right. they've been doing some funky fresh indy/slept-on podcasting of late...

The First Tru Criminal

AK Skills
-Check The Flava
-Nights Of Fear

1996 Tru Criminal Records

From the label that brought us Metal Thangz, a platter that features production from a couple of guys called Lord Finesse and Buckwild plus cuts by Tru Criminal vet and NY underground mainstay DJ KO. This one was destined to wallow in relative obscurity since it was released the same year as the hot-selling (and still available) underground classic Metal Thangz, but I'm not sure it would've made all that much noise, anyway. I mean, AK is ok, but few would argue that it'd be much nicer to hear The Funky Man himself over the Check The Flava beat. And Nights Of Fear is cool, but we've all heard far better from big Buckwild.

In any case, we do have here a solid, high-quality release from the era that deserves props, especially for Finesse and DITC fans. Enjoy.

Blame Canada

Saukrates & friends
-Rollin' feat. Masta Ace & OC
-Play Dis feat. Common
-P's and Q's

1997 Serious Entertainment Inc.

Once again, Toronto represent. Most of you know a little something about Saukrates, or at least have heard his production behind acts such as Choclair, Masta Ace, Kardinal Offishall, Swollen Members, Pharaoh Monch, Nas, etc. or heard him rap alongside Method Man, Redman, Xzibit, and others. His 1996 single "Father Time" b/w "21 Years" on Knee Deep Records earned him plenty of attention, and next thing you know he's got a trio of hip-hop legends on his plate.

Funny as it may sound, at the time, OC was the biggest name of the three thanks to a little ditty called "Time's Up,", and if you ask me, he touches the nicest song here, along with Masta Ace (who I still agree had his style stolen by Eminem). Not to take anything away from "Play Dis" or Common (then still known as Common Sense), but "Rollin'" has a good enough combo of unique and funky to give it the nod. To me, it just stands out. Also of note here is that Sauk more than holds his own next to the heavyweights, and in a case or two may even outshine them.

These songs are all taken from the "Brick House EP," which also featured remixes of "Play Dis" (by NoID) and "Rollin'" along with a remix of "Father Time" that didn't really need to happen.

Slum It Up

Slum Brothers
-The Sure Shot
-6 Million MC's

1995 Suicide Records



-Stop Fronting

1996 Michu Records

Like any other skill, MC-ing takes practice. Nobody is born an MC. There are, however, a good handful of folks who just seem to have a gift... like they were destined to do it. The kind that just seem so effortless on the mic, it becomes apparent that the bulk of what you're hearing is due to raw, natural talent, plain and simple. Reggie Reg, to me, is one of those. His 1995 release is one my favorite 12"s of all time. Sure, you've probably heard the 6 Million MC's bassline before (Gasface), not to mention the sample in the hook. And yes, the follow-up wasn't nearly as strong. But hey, the guy can flat-out rap. That's what really matters here.

Sleepless Scenes

Insomniac
-Bad Day
-Ape Plague

from the album Polygonal Planet
2005 Soothsay Records
(buy it at: truehiphop.com, CD Baby, accesshiphop.com, etc.)




Spex
-Forgotten Lore
-Small Planet

from the Scene Selection EP
2005 Soothsay Records
(buy it soon)

Again, sorry for the disappearing act. And, just for this one post, I'll be straying from the formula a bit. But, at least it's a clue about what I've been doing during the last four months...

Long about 11 years ago, when I had my radio show over at KZSU, Stanford, I met a local fella named Jon. At first, Jon was a lot like the dozens of other heads who called up the show every week to try and get on the air, because I had a habit of letting people freestyle live over the phone. Jon soon stood out, though, because he would call up during every single show I did, plus every single show most of my friends and/or colleagues did. Now, this wouldn't seem so out of the ordinary much of the time, however, during this particular era, most of the shows Jon would call were on air between midnight and 6 AM. Sleepytime for most solid citizens, yet Jon would still check in without fail, day after day, week after week, month after month.

One particularly festive evening I received the inevitable call from Jon rather early in the show (around 3:45 AM). Then, upon asking if he wanted to freestyle on the air (already knowing the answer), he, like Orel Hersheiser, threw me a curve, suggesting that he instead come down to the station in person and try it from the studio. I enthusiastically agreed.

In what seemed like no time, he appeared like a pizza delivery guy at the front door, we strolled side-by-side into the control booth, and an announcement was made: "Now, believe it or not, we got my man Jon, THE INSOMNIAC, right here in the studio with us."

And so, the dawn of a new hip-hop day had arrived.

To make the rest of a long story short, Insomniac is putting out an album. Finally. The man known primarily for his can't-believe-they're-not-written freestyles has put together 15 tracks of mind-flexing funk called Polygonal Planet. Some of you may remember him as the guy who battled Murs a few years back, then saw that recording end up all over Napster in its free-for-all heyday. Others might recognize him as the guy that shows up on Third Sight tracks every now and again. He did put out a single a few months ago called The Muse, too, that you might have seen for sale on your favorite hip-hop shop website. And, if ya don't know, now ya know.

Not to be overlooked, the album will appeal to fans of turntablism too, boasting appearances by the mighty D-Styles, Mike Boo (who's work you can hear on Ape Plague), Ricci Rucker (on Bad Day), and Spex on the cuts. Plus, the album was mixed and mastered by Dave Cooley, who gave the same treatment to a little project known as Madvillain.

And speaking of Spex, he's got an EP of his own about to hit shelves called Scene Selection. 6 tracks deep, it's the product of a bygone era of hip-hop in which just two cats could get together and churn out some funky-fresh music without having to resort to a long list of helpers. The result is a romping, stomping, rollicking good time that you're sure to enjoy.

And you can hear more from Spex if you point your browser to SoFarWest.com, which carries all of Spex' stuff as well as a wealth of other underground goodies.


Anyway, this is what I've been doing. Getting these two projects together. If you want more info, plese don't hesitate to reach out. Love to hear from ya.

Run Ragged(y)

Update will be a touch later than usual due to server issues, business issues, and, of course, life issues. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you. Or them.

Young, Deep, and Funky

Da Youngstaz (feat. Mobb Deep)
-Bloodshed & War

1995 Pop Art Records

Nice stuff from a seemingly strange collaboration. Everything works, though. Works well, in fact. This one was tucked away on the b-side of this "Illy Funkstas" indy release, and flew under lots of radar. We're talking on-the-deck.

And sorry, but the edited version is all there was on the wax.

Toll Call

Call O' Da Wild

-Sometimes The Neighborhood
-Clouds Of Smoke

1995 East Side Records




-Ruffturrain
-Intellectual Dons

1996 Ruffhouse/Columbia/Sony

Among the general hip-hop fandom, surprisingly little is known about this crew despite their major-label moment, their inclusion on the '96 Smokin' Grooves Tour bill along with heavyweights A Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees, Busta Rhymes, Ziggy Marley, and Spearhead, and, of course, their weed-holder status alongside Smokin' Grooves headliner, Cypress Hill. My guess is that at some point in 1995, after two successful albums, somebody at Ruffhouse (probably an intern) finally noticed that Muggs and the crew were shamefully lacking a legitimate carrier. Maybe they just didn't know they were entitled, or were just too used to carrying for themselves. In any case, the demo song that ended up on the Bad Boys soundtrack must have generated at least a smattering of positive feedback, because the Wild guys got a whole 12" out of it. Alas, their toting time was short-lived, and so we have been forced to endure the Psycho Realm era.

Immediately, upon first listen of the first song, the Cypress Hill affiliation becomes apparent. It sounds kinda like B-Real's whole family on wax. And, indeed, Mr Real himself makes an appearance on Intellectual Dons (which you may remember from the Unreleased and Revamped package). The music is all nice, mostly contributed by Muggs (props for the Doors loop), and Sometimes The Neighborhood might have one of, if not THE most memorable beats I've ever heard. There have been conflicting reports, from Sun Ra to Rodgers & Hammerstein, about the origin of the loco piano parts, but thus far, no consensus. Any insight earns infinite shine in this space for life.

And on a more personal note, whenever I meet an artist or a group that are just plain good people, without unnecessary ego or fleego, I immediately become a bigger fan. When these guys were at the next table in Denny's after the Smokin' Grooves' Shoreline Amphitheatre stop, they earned themselves this post for that very reason. Probably worth the price of a couple Grand Slams, at least, eh?

Up To Rung Two...

Jay-Z
-In My Lifetime
-I Can't Get Wit That

1995 Payday/FFRR

A good record on a good label that nobody (besides Jay himself, of course) knew would mark the beginning of his ascension into hip-hop's royal ranks. Until this time, he was little more than "that dope other kid" on a couple of Jaz joints, known for his fast-rapping above anything else. It's kinda funny to listen to all the big money talk on In My Lifetime now, since it can all truly be backed up. Plus, it's yet another nice beat from Ski. The gem here, though, is I Can't Get Wit That. King Z reminds people exactly what he'd be capable of had this rap thing not worked out and he was forced to work auction houses or peddle Micro Machines, and the simple, funky Clark Kent beat is just plain treasure to those of us who are suckers for piano riffs.

Fly Hard, Fly Long

Sparrow
-Physics
-Physics (remix)
-Rhyme Impotence

1995 Unruly Records

Hardly a step shy of infamous at this point, so I don't need to say too much. Solid production value, memorable hooks. One, especially.

If you must have the wax, you might be able to find it on eBay, where one of the Unruly guys who put the record out has been hawking some.

Lost Poetz

Dead Poetz Society
-Klockuz
-Lick A Shot
-Lick A Shot (remix)

1996 Challys Records

That's right, the other DPS. A classic mid-90's "demo on wax" that flew under many a radar but still got plenty of burn on college radio hip-hop shows, then faded into oblivion. Not sure if they did anything else. I do know that Slomo, who produced the remix, had a 12" out the same year called "Ghetto Jedi" b/w "Hip-Hop Can't Stop" and "I Represent" on his own Demo Ya Dome imprint, but I'm clueless beyond that. Doesn't mean I can't enjoy the sounds, right?

note: shout to Ed Catto, who informs me that there was indeed another DPS release, Lick A Shot Pt. II. Be on scope.

Alter-Ego We Go

Dead Poets Society
-Don't Quit
-Seize The Day

1999 EYA Recordings



Jemini the Gifted One
-Funk Soul Sensation
-Brooklyn Kids

1995 Mercury/Polygram Records

It's not really a themed post, but this is about as close as I'll get, so I guess I should be proud of it. These two guys decided that it wasn't enough fun to just make records as themselves, so they enlisted the help of a sprinkle or two of that studio magic to transform themselves into two rappers each.

The Dead Poets Society joint was dropped by a man known most of the time as Yeshua Da PoED of Fondle 'Em (w/ Siah) and Wee Bee Foolish fame. Ask me, I'd say he didn't need the gimmicks, but nevertheless he went the Quasimoto-like route of speeding up/slowing down the music during the recording process, or so it seems to my ear. He also handled the beats/production on this one, making it sort of a pet project, I guess. Despite the silliness, the end result is indeed some funky noise.

And these days, most people probably know Jemini the Gifted One from his affiliation with new Gorillaz (oh, and Grey Album) producer Danger Mouse. Back in 1995, he was signed to a major, was all up on Rap City, and apparently couldn't decide whether to be "wild" or "smooth". On Funk Soul Sensation, unlike Yesh, he opts for the more traditional and time-tested method of character creation, which is, um... to just rap different. While not as impressive as Black Thought's renderings of Kane and G Rap on last year's criminally underapreciated Boom!, if I didn't know better, I would've been fooled into thinking there were in fact two emcee's on the track instead of just one bipolar rapper.

He's just rapping as himself on Brooklyn Kids, but it's the b-side, and it's pretty funky fresh, too.

From the Undergrounds of Jersey

Down N Dirty Tribe
-Inna Cipher (Dirty Landcruiser Mix)
-Mindtrix

1995 Jungle Sounds Records

Don't really know too much about this crew, except that their music is pretty darn fresh. Many of you might recognize the Little Lunatic from an appearance alongside the Beatnuts, but other than that, it's all a mystery to me. A couple of them sound slightly familiar, but I just can't put my finger on it. Any clues are more than welcome.

Inna Cipher, with its classic breakbeat drums and "ill-murderous, ostentatious lyrics," hits you like a jab-jab-right cross combo... You know what's coming but it breaks down the defense anyway. And Mindtrix is a solid, gritty, slow-rolling funkfest in its own right, with good, reserved use of sax stabs and creepy pianos that're sure to be the technique of choice for scrappers and southpaws worldwide.