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8OUL SUPREME PRESENTS: cles; just ask Prince Paul or Dan the Automator. groups are made of, the things much of the ea-, c The Saturday Nite Agenda (Grit Recrrds) Snippets of dialogue from classic flicks like Dolomite mid-'gos were made of, the things that would evs-L, Rating: 3.5/5 and Let's Do ;t Again are sprinkled throughout the ally birth the now decaying term: "undergrounc 10, just A sizeable chunk of the weak, or piain galbage, disc to further reinforce its movie soundtrack theme. hop". Ah, the mid-'gos, a time of comfort and gle* m hip-hop nowadays can be attributed to a lack of focus The idea is fully realized on the title track where AG many of today's hip-hop 20-30 somethings, a tin-,: m producers lrom and artists alike. The Saturday Nite weaves a gritty tale incorporating the titles and char- one imagined as some sort of 'golden age'in hip--ric, Agenda is a concept album that matches beats acters of dozens of the eras films over a somber and yet if only we could go back, but that's the crux c..trr& inspired by the groove. blaxploitation era with top-shelf MCs. soullul confiict. We'll never be able to go back. We're :nrm lnstead of Gordon Parks, the director of this album's Soul Supreme concentrates on keeping the allowed to savor the magical drips of memori+ :n sonic cinematics is Soul Supreme, "Saturday an obscure beat- Nite" vibe of the beats so much that some your first 40, your first time stealing records frc- a maker who clairns Sweden as his home. The idea is tend to become monotonous after a conslant play. college radio station, the first time you were .+a a novel one wjth much potential as all the performers Case in point, by the time you get to lhe drum pro- "damn Elektra is the dopestl" Sure, Elektra hac tr[ excel at their roles. gramming and wah wah like effects of OC's "Worst imperial Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Brand Nu::, lnstead of chasing bikini-clad Swedish chicks, Soul Nightmare," the listeners attention may begin to L.O.N.S. and KMD. They were also co-oppec trilr Supreme must have been locked in his crib perfect- wane. But it's a minor slip-up because at only 12 from East West Records (a Warner subsidiary). a-lc ing his craft because there isn't anything fishy about songs deep (not including 2 bonus tracks) the album East West became more and less Rotorious fc- .trsr jn his beats. Almost every track is a line tuned work of clocks a minute or so shy of an hour of focused aforementioned sign-record-dropjans-boo-hoo srn well-selected samples, instrumentation and arrange- energy. The Blaxploitation era and the "culture" il opsis - just pick up a copy of the double vinyl prc,-n- ments. And thankfully, the MCs on the project step to supposedly depicted is much like hip,hop. The pimps, only lll Style Live! album in your local dollar bir ilc the plate and elevate the sounds with lyrics to match. playas and hustlers along with their struggles por, read the stats. Omniscience, DeDa Baby Pa. am The 'giant in the mental'AG (Showbiz&AG) brings his trayed on screen are parallel to artists, label folk and lhat's right, The Jugganots ("1'm Gonna Kill You" rrur sawy Bronx bars to cuts like the rumbling opener radio personas grinding today, especially those going on wax, il was rugged).Yet it was their rebounc :-m "Future Flavas" featuring Party Arty, and he teams up the independent rcule. The Saturday Nite Agendais marked a movement. 'FEOO2', a catalog numbe' m" with Pete 'Please Work it Out with CL Rock on theme music and that's no jive. aqua boogie the annals of rap. Bobbito was in the prime c. rn "Queen (Hip-Hop)" yet - for another hip-hop ode. Big radio career al Columbia's WKCR 8gtecg, a cier0: Daddy Kane comes through on "Come Get lt" featur- THE JUOOANOTS played on "The Stretch Armstrong Show" (or per.ms ing Checkmark; his expert lyrics backed by sublime Clear llue Skies re-release (Third Earth Music) mentioned in Garcia's revered Rap Pages colLTir strings, an eerie vocal sample and precision culs and Rating: 3.5/ 5 almost certainly certified worldwide dub-crazy :rr scratches on the hook from DJ Revolution. Other You've heard the story before. Dope group with a nom-status. See: Company Flow, Natural Elem+-re stand out contributions come from Rasco, Planet dope album gets a deal, album gets locked up, they The Arsonists, Godfather Don, and The Juggancs Asia and An lon on "Hardcore Shit,'KRS-1 featuring get dropped, then the album never drops, and the At the time, a g-song vinyl platter on this thing rw Shuman on "The Message" and the bonus track yearning masses are left sulking, dubbing, and burn- called an "independent" label, was bewilderr:n "Regardless" featuring Wordsworth, Moe and lllin' P ing demos and freestyles lor the rest of their miser- unheard of. The bulky Cenobites double vinyl Ep nas The concept album isn't anything new in hip-hop cir- able lives. The things "underground hip-hop" support almost too much to handle, but thjs. This was ser,:r.ur .; :i:

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uty t: -usic! This was dark, hefty, hearty, and unclean. lt the video might be more respected. Maybe Tony really work. After more than a few lackluster KRS entL' ras New York, it was the cold, cold Bronx. lt was Bones would have come oul with his own album, or months, it's good to hear him coming hard, even if the i hip- 3reezily Brewin and Buddy Slim. They sauntered even Adagio (who both make valued appearances). joint is a few years old. Akrobatik blesses a bassy ee fc' :ver jazz like Mingus with an Erick Sermon lisp, Sure, some of the songs sound dated, and yes track on "Ak Like You Want lt;' and doesn't disappornt, ne n: '-oosifa" spoke morbid of a brother on a newly found maybe even Breez comes with a little Das EFX flippi- Shan Boogs brings guest production lor Royce the Fhop :ath of good, turned devastating and destructive by ta here and there, but back when I was a teenager, 5'9" on "Lights Outi'offering looped strings and piano t this :Fe city that held him. "Romper Room" is a tick-tick o{ those styles were the thing. lf only we could go back. over enough boom bap to add punctuation to Royce's OniJ : beat that boxed with pleasant strings and deathly lf only. - Peter Agoston quality paragraphs. ill Bill comes in over a sick, boun- gs ci :ass relorts as the Breeze said: "it's a hell that we liv- cy Ric Rude production on "License 2 lll," followed by oalt a rg in and we giving up sloppily". But it was the unbe- DJ Js,,I "What Am l? Pt. 1" featuring Masta Ace. Over an liRahzel,.he has been quielly cooking up this long and not part ol the Masta Ace cut. So much lor r tr€ :-e actually-black Breeze and Buddy as an actually- original production LP which features what can only the return of Special Ed, he is more than lackluster s]*- 4hite tather and son duo, never to see eye-to-eye for be qalled a star-studded cast of MCs. Dropping a on this. :ie father's bigotry towards a shade of human he'll couple of singles as a prelude, JS-1 and Dub-L are Getting back to the quality, Planet Asia and Percee P iever understand. offering a lot more than expected on thig album. pair up on the very solid "Unstoppablel'Both MCs rip ,'/ith seemingly one 12-inch ("WKPR ln NYC") in the JS starts off with a cut-up intro featuring Rahzel on it over JS-1's haunting track that recalls sharp piano ' '.,e rears upon years that followed the irreplaceable sin- the box and peppered irith familiar melodies, includ- themes from Psycho. Having worked with ftez and ;e vinyl disc and an oft referenced part in Prince ing the vocal sample lrom Marky Mark's "Good Tragedy on projects, we expected a cut on the )aul's Prince Among Theives, this is a bitter-sweet Vibrations" (not the loud chick, the other sample).The record. They don't drsappoint on "Crossbreed," with f -s ."ss, it is the sad but proper follow-up to a genre- record starts off more than solid, as JS joins the both spitters bringing it hard like we like. Domingo e.rt: :efining release. unlikely Evidence , C-BayzWalz, Pep Love and React stands in again with Kool G Rap on "Take A Loss," riow 20 songs strong, Re.Pelease is even pieced over the right-at-home Dilated-style track. Obviously and lays down a tight piano-laced track that G Rap Dgether like an old dub-tape from 89tec9, teaming produced with Ev in mind, JS pairs a well-chopped takes full advantage of, bringrng a taste ot that gully :f,e- frjth many unheard demo-like songs unreleased at bassline with high-pitched strings - it could easily shit we remember him tor. Punch N Words also bring 3e time (but surely sought to no end), as a be an Evidence or Alchemist track. Ev's slow stand- it like we like on the lively "Turn lt Upl" Low horn slabs '3spectable and proper re-introduction to this piece out flow moves nicely into C-Rayz's tight verse. and nrce bass are the perfect platform tor the pair to lfi€ :i hip-hop history. Yet, il only all these songs had Originally dropped in 2000, "Essentials" featuring bring some of their best. The next heat comes on n3'r :ome out when they were recorded, perhaps things KRS-One and Rahzel will still be a favorite. The "Drugs ln My Vein" via New York's Stronghold, as C- rs .1ight be dillerent in rap. lvlaybe cats might take the Domingo-produced track combines old school flavor Rayz and Breez straight kill it over a gritty Spanish ns rusic a bit more seriously, or maybe the medium of with new school chops and Rahzel's mouthiness to style guitar track by JS-1. The hook is ridiculous - "Hip hop like drugs in my veins ..." group, So tight this one. laments the "treadmill lifestyle" of trying to bal- Dooley, it seemed that his talent would remajn unde. After a Professor X interlude, more Stronghold rep- ance working a.job with creating music in the lab, tea- wraps forever. lt did, until the crew at Solid RecorG ping comes as Life yo-yo," Long and lmmortal Technique rip luring some soulful singing from Phonte, "The and Stones Throw lound themselves at Dooley's cr: it over well a done uptempo track (complete wilh discusses girls who ignore you until they find out you listening to rough cuts of what would have been tr€ sleigh bells) on "Audio Technician." OC comes well rap, and exposes the hypocritical mentalities of cer- debut Dooley-O LP Had it dropped in the early'gcs over a chopped JS-1 joint "Beyond," proclaiining on tain coffee shop poets. it surely would have generated some heat. Afte. the game "same shit different toilet." No doubt. E- Several tunes address the ladies, including their years of frustralion, Dooley trashed the finished mas- Famm offers lans JS a taste on."Arrogant," a super- breakout sjngle "Whatever You Say," which brims with ter reels to the album. History itself was sitting sorF+ tight, bouncy, upbeat joint also appearing on their punchy drums, soft strings, and breezy horn action, place in the New Haven landfills. Stones Throw ar: recent debut album. Skoob teams up with Strick and "Nobody But You," teaturing Keisha Shontelle, is as Solid set about the task of releasing the lost Doole_,- React rigglty-rip "Rest to the triggity-track on good a romance rap as you'll ever hear, with filtered O album. What they came up with were roug- Assured," a surprisingly solid joint thanks to Skoob's keys and blissful saxophones setting the mood for unmastered, unpolished vocal cuts over raw beats. intact flow and solid verses from Strick and React. lyrical lovin. "Away From You" is a long-distance ded- The 1 1-song LP starts off with the live . Also appearing are Casual, Big Daddy Kane, Prince ication of sorts, a touching number lor Phonte's infant ''Headbangeas Ball" aimed at lce-T. Over the upbe=: Poetry and grip a of drops from other notables_ While son oulof-state, and Pooh's brother on lock upstate. bassline, Dooley launches into four minutes of bra:- usually simple, JS-1 has a handle on creating tracks They show a playful side with some dope, De La- gadocio. He follows with the Rhodes-laced "Let lt E: for MCs rock joint to over, usually crafting a that esque skits. "Make l\,4e Hot" is a standout, as gth Written," a smooth joint with loads of funky bass atr: works well with a specjfic flow. ln doing this, it gets Wonder breaks down the annoying side of being a nicely placed horns. The still-hot "Watch My Moves' hard to identify a continutng thread of style in his pro- producer in-demand: fools bugging you for beats all is next, followed by "Feel The Music," another joiT ductions, Nonetheless, this record is more than worth the time. They give ample respect for those who that would have made heads turn and bob back - owning Phat Matt came before on "Nighttime Maneuvers," which - incor- the day. The track is a bubbly ride you can't get rid c,. porates a taste of the "T.R.O.Y" saxes and reminjsces and Dooley holds on weil. "Peace Sign" smoothe: LITTLE IROTHER about the Juice Crew listening to Kane in homeroom. things out again with gliding strings following a silkie" Thc ListcninJ (All Rcc.rds) Other standout tracks include the organ{uelled "For Dooley flow. This would have been the political cut c- Rating:4/5 You," "Shorty On The Lookout" with l\,4edian, and the the record full of preachy rhetoric, but definite,, After generating - an enormous buzz, getting props horn-infused, clap-laden gem "So Fabulous" (with nice. "Slaughter Session" shares an EPMD flavor a: from ?uestlove, and being signed to Beni B's label, L.E.G.A.C.Y and Stacy Powell). A virtual history les- Dooley goes al crab rappers full force. Another tig* North Carolina's Little Brother live up to all the hype, son on wax, it makes references to PE, Rakim, Audio bassline is put to use on the hoppy "Come C- releasing stellar a debut album that oozes classic Two, and Slick Rick, plus teatures some brief beat- Smooth." Paired with sick saxophone, more bass an: hip-hop. Regularly (and accurately) compared to A boxing and a few rrrrrrrrockl"s for good measure. lively drums, this is a nice track for Dooley to rep KG: Tribe Called pooh, gth Quest, Phonte, Big and No matter how much acclaim is heaped upon them, over. Yesl Bring in the rock drums and the hip-hor Wonder have concocted a record tailor-made for Little Brother deserve all the accolades. Whether horns on "Neighborhood Tramp;'an ode to the pimp* heads who long for that good old early-'gos vibe, you're an older head who longs for the simpler days, on Liberty Street. Dooley and Chris picked the gu- before "underground vs. play, commercial" came into or a younger cat who simply appreciates high-quality lyest plucked bass sample to st:irt off "FrJnky;' anot-- and the quest "hot for shit" turned popular rap into tunes, Phonte, Pooh, and 9th Wonder have got you er late-'8os style brag-joint that really swings.An* forgettable jingles. Clearly influenced by the Native covered. Taking it back to the essence, they are a true head will listen to this record and see the d!:. Tongues, Pete Rock, Gang Starr, and other history- welcome addition to a rap scene over-saturated with mond that remains in the rough. Props to Stones makers, Little Brother pays jacking, homage without cheesy gimmicks, walking billboards, and suspect Throw and lvlatt at Solid Recordings for refusing :: taking cues from forefathers the while maintaining 'artists.'Listen up. Brolin Winning allow this and other pieces of important music to dr- identity. - their The result is one of the best debut into total obscurity. Phat l\/att records we've heard in years. toaLEY-o - gth At the heart ol their sound is Wonder's excep- Watch My M.ves 'lt9a (S.lid) SUPERNATURAL production. tronal Heavy on the chopped samples, Rating:3/5 The L.st Freestyle Files (labygrande) dusty drum work, and full-bodied bass, his tracks Many an artist can share a tale of the shelved album. Rating: 2.5/ 5 serve as the ideal foundation for the down-to-earth, Dooley-O is no different, except for the fact that his After listening lo The Lost Freestyle Flles, l'm wo-- everyman rhymes pooh. delivered by Phonte and trained ear and skills birthed hits for which he dering where the hell these tracks got lost. Judgir: Little Brother prove aren't out to they're gangstas, but received no credit. Stepped on by middle-school by the sound quality, it sounds like they were found - they're not just some hippies either, regular cats who notables Paul C, Stezo and Chris Lowe, not to men- some flooded basement. But il you donl mind liste-- happen to love hip-hop and know how to make it, tion Sleeping Bag, Tav Dash and the rest of the ing to muffled, tape quality tracks on CD, this release well. "Speedj'the first track they ever recorded as a money hungry organizations involved in jacking is definitely heat.

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