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.