T.R.O.Y.

Posted: 16 Feb 2009 02:30 PM PST

After finally figuring out how to rip from Vinyl to Mp3, I started ripping a few rarities from my own collection. I will be posting a few 12"s from now on focusing on VLS that haven't been ripped on any other blog. Let me start by reviewing these 3 12"s that I will share with you. Oh, if you want to start ripping 12"s, just buy this cable from RadioShack, you don't need to buy a usb turntable if you already got the ones and twos...

A1. Daily Basis (Radio Edit)
A2. Daily Basis (Uncut Version)
A3. Daily Basis (Instrumental)
A4. Daily Basis (Clean Acappella)
B1. Street Life (Daily Basis Remix) (Radio Version)
B2. Street Life (Daily Basis Remix) (Uncut Version)
B3. Street Life (Daily Basis Remix) (Instrumental)
Download

My first treat comes straight from the land of Brooklyn, NY. The Ranjahz , consisting of duo Haph & Wais, released their first wax in 1996. The A-Side(Called Troy Ave. Side) features four versions of "Daily Basis", a track produced by legendary Big Jaz. The B-Side (Called Utica Ave. Side) is the remix version of Daily Basis titled "Street Life". While it's titled as a remix, it features new lyrics as well as a new beat by DJ Clark Kent. Both tracks were recorded at D&D Studios. The Ranjahz would later get a deal with Roc-A-Fella and be part of Team ROC. They would also drop their first album in 2003 titled "Who Feels It Knows".

A1. Reality (It's Clean)
A2. 360° (Circles Remix / Clean)
A3. 360° (Circles Remix / Dirty)
A4. 360° (Instrumental)
B1. Circles (Clean)
B2. Circles (Instrumental)
B3. Softest Nigg*s In N.Y. (Clean)
B4. Softest Nigg*s In N.Y. (Dirty)
Download

This next single is from 3rd Eye Aka Jesse West. It was released on Sure Shot Recordings in 1997. The first track is titled "Reality", it's my favorite track of the four. It samples the first part of Bob Marley's Burnin & Lootin'. The energy 3rd Eye brings on the track is incredible! The next track is 360°. You can hear 3rd Eye sampling Milt Jackson's Enchanted Lady, same sample from Large Professor's Ijuswannachill. Both of these tracks were featured on 3rd Eye's solo album "Planets" though. Next we have the exclusives that weren't released anywhere except on the 12". Circle is another great laid-back track. Then you have "Softest Nigg*s In N.Y.", a hard grimey N.Y. type of hip-hop song. It features duo 730 and additional verse by 3rd Eye.

A1. Mary J. Blige - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
B2. Herb Mcgruff - I Know We Can Do It

Download

Here's a promo 12" that was released to promote the soundtrack of New York Undercover. It has one track on both sides; an RnB one and a hip hop one. The A-Side features a cover of Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" done by Mary J. Blige. It is produced by Jason Mtume. Now, the b-side is the reason why I bough this 12". It features Harlem's Herb Mcgruff on his first solo appearance on wax in "I Know We Can Do It". It is produced by Mcgruff's mentor Heavy D as well as co-produced by Bad-Boy heavyweight Easy Mo Bee.

-- Thomas V

New Jersey Underground Part 2

Posted: 16 Feb 2009 03:00 AM PST

Here's volume 2 from the New Jersey series. Getting a couple non-nj artists on these seems to be par for the course so let's concentrate on the material which actually IS from New Jersey. This is rugged, underground boom bap, no frills and no filler. I know a few of these tracks might familiar. I am hoping some of them are new to your ears as well.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=07FC44ET

01 (03:25) Redman - Time 4 Sum Aksion (Newark 1992)
02 (04:49) Diezzle Don & The Govna - Time Slips (Newark 1995)
03 (04:42) Brick Mob - Brain Storm (Newark 1996)
04 (04:46) Krucked M-Age - Represent (Jersey City 1995)
05 (04:45) Ill Al Scratch - Get Dough (New York, woops 1994)
06 (04:36) Organized Konfusion - Prisoners of War (New York, woops 1991)
07 (04:29) Foundation 7 - Compredator (Newark 1991)
08 (03:56) Double X Posse - Executive Class II (Jersey City 1992)
09 (04:53) Kirk - Feel The Boom (Newark 1994)
10 (04:31) Brick Mob _ We Be Wilin' On The Set (Newark 1996)
11 (03:35) Bizear Intellectual - Silent Attack (Jersey City 1994)
12 (04:16) Artifacts - Boulevard Connect (Newark 1995)
13 (04:15) Young Gifted - Creepshow (Jersey City 1996)
14 (04:30) Illa Killa - Strictly Difficult (Newark 1994)
15 (03:01) Flavor Unit Featuring Rottin Razkals - Enough is Enough (Newark 1993)
16 (03:57) Born Discipline - Where You At (Jersey City 1992)
17 (05:57) Lifers Group - Belly Of The Beast (Newark 1991)
18 (03:31) Dollar Bill & Cutmaster KG - Almighty Seven (Newark 1991)
19 (03:59) The Muck Men - Monkey Say Monkey Do (Newark 1994)

Tell me what you think!

--Schenectadyfan