Roll With The Hit Squadddddddddd...

If you know me or follow the coldrockdaspot blog then you will definitely know that EPMD and The Hit Squad are at the top list of quality Hip Hop for me, I once did a 3 hour EPMD radio special when they returned with the Back To Business LPin 1997.

I can never get enough of the sound, style and vibe they created and I am mad grateful that I first got exposed to Epee Md (as they first spelt it) in 1987 through The Weds Nite Jam radio show, I remember the first time I heard 'It's My Thing' and on first listen it was the ill helicopter at the beginning, the drum roll and the funky as hell, The Whole Darn Family '7 Minutes of Funk' loop but then the more I listened to it (and it was at least 5 times day ha ha) it was the captivating flows of Erick and Parrish, there was a unique chemistry between the duo and somehow Erick's lisp and raw braggadocio flow was incredibly well suited to PMD's laconic, full of bravado and braggadocio slow flow that was often peppered with a menacing lower vocal tone.

EPMD were and always be Hip Hop and they are responsible for influencing the careers of hundreds over the years, producers and MC's owe so much to what E & P have done for Hip Hop for so many years, There are rumours that a new EPMD is imminent and that's good news, but when the dedicated fans look back we will always remember The Hit Squad era, there was a mystique and certain sound and ultimately vocal and production styles that dominated the Hit Squad's recordings and could never be replaced or duplicated.


I know there have been a few Hit Squad dedication posts in other blogs and they were all dope but this is only just mine and it's in celebration of EPMD's 20 years in the rap game this year!




The following is Volume One of a compilation album I did up made up entirely of the Hit Squad Years 1990-1994,it includes remixes and B-Sides and include some solo Erick Sermon and PMD material as well as Keith Murray even though he came just after the original line up had disbanded and Redman joints from 1994 because he was part of the original line up.


enjoy and please comment if you do, they are always appreciated.

Hit Squad Heist-The Collection 1990-94 Volume one:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TV6R0WMS

1-epmd-hit squad heist (prod: epmd)-1990

2-das_efx-hard like a kriminal (prod: solid scheme)-1993

3-knucklehedz-trouble makas (prod charlie marotta)-1993

4-k_solo-rock bottom (prod: erick sermon)-1992

5-epmd-nobodys safe chump (prod: epmd, co-prod charlie marotta)-1992

6-das_efx-straight from da sewer(prod: solid scheme)-1992

7-k-solo-letterman_(solid_scheme_remix)-1992

8-epmd-manslaughter (prod epmd)-1990

9-knucklehedz_savages_(solid_scheme remix)-1992

10-epmd-brothers from brentwood, l.i.(prod: erick sermon)-1992

11-epmd-underground (prod: epmd)-1990

12-k-solo-the formula (prod: parrish smith)-1992

13-redman-time 4 sum aksion (erick_sermon_remix) -1992

14-epmd - im_mad_(red_man_remix)-1991

15-knucklehedz-all_she_wanted_remix (remix by solid scheme)-1993

16-redman so ruff (prod: erick sermon)-1992

17-top quality-i cant hear you (prod: solid scheme)-1994

17-das_efx_mic checka (solid_scheme remix)-1992

18-epmd ft das efx- cummin' at cha (prod: epmd)-1992

19-epmd-rap is outta control (prod: epmd)-1990

20-k_solo-king of the mountain (prod: sam sneed)-1992

21-redman-a day of sooperman lover(prod: erick sermon)-1992

22-das efx - jussumen (pete rock remix)-1992

23-erick_sermon-stay_real_(remix)-1993

24-knucklehedz-girlies keep screamin (prod: charlie marotta)-1993

25-epmd ft redman-brothers on my jock (prod: epmd)-1990

21-redman-a day of sooperman lover(prod: erick sermon)-1992

22-das efx - jussumen (pete rock remix)-1992

23-erick_sermon-stay_real_(remix)-1993

24-knucklehedz-girlies keep screamin (prod: charlie marotta)-1993

25-epmd ft redman-brothers on my jock (prod: epmd)-1990

26-knucklehedz-party wrecka (prod: parrish smith)-1993

27-top_quality-someone so fly (prod: kevin a pyatt)-1993

28-redman ft erick sermon-watch yo nuggets (prod: erick sermon)-1992

29-epmd-can't hear nothing but the music (prod: epmd)-1992

30-epmd-chill (prod: epmd)-1992

epmd & hit squad related videos

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=633E3527A92E4606

Stupid crazy thanks to
Mark
Nikolaj
Brakk
Machiventa
Dan
Dar
Ernesto
WYDU
Frogga
The cool PF Family
My flatmates for putting up with the loudness (ha ha)
and all of the kind kids leaving comments and sending e-mails giving this blog props

P.S. ahem... sorry AL and Sir Vere, it is I who is EPMD's biggest fan...ha ha

Back To 1997...

To be straight up, honestly it is an honour to have been exposed to these dope joints the first time around in 1997, but if you are only hearing them now then welcome, they did it much better back in 97, it's not one of my all time fave years in rap music(that belongs to 1988,1992 and 1994) but there was a lot of talent and solid releases.

I personally feel that all of the material on this collection has stood the test of time and that's why I did this compilation up to share some of the tracks I rocked hard on the radio show, in my headphones or on my stereo.

All of the top producers were in full swing in 1997, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Buckwild, Show, Diamond D, The Beatnuts,Nick Wiz, No I.D., Erick Sermon etc...but also Hi-Tek was introduced to us through Mood,The Artifacts dropped a dope follow up to 1994's Between A Rock & A Hard Place, Premo laced classics for Biggie (RIP)Jeru, Krumb Snatcha, OC, Sauce Money and of course Gangstarr and a few others.

Mobb Deep were still dope and doing shit up for CNN, (What What!!!) Cormega and DV Alias Khrist amongst others, EPMD came back with a good (not a classic though) album, No I.D. released one of the years best albums and tracks and The Cru were pretty tight as well


Organized Konfusion released a great and interesting concept album (The Equinox), Beatnuts gave us Big Pun (RIP) and the Stone Crazy LP, Diamond D released a good solid second LP, we were introduced to Dead Prez through Loud records, Marely Marl was still making dope beats (see Kamakazee's Snakes), Godfather Don was on the scene and making ill beats, Rakim came back with another good album and had beats from DJ Premier and Pete Rock and Buckwild.

Bobbito Garcia's Fondle' Em records re-introduced Zev Luv X to us as the incomparable MF Doom and gave us great 12"s from Scienz of Life, Lord Sear and Cage who had us saying right, right a lot (and some silly kids putting needles in their lips) and Chicago's Molemen showcased there dark and ill beats through Vakill , All Natural and Juice.

Stones Throw records were introduced to the World via the late, great Charizma (RIP) in 1996 and later with Rasco and Encore releasing solid material in 97,and of course the Wu-Tang Clan had fans divided with the Wu Tang Forever Double LP (but still got love regardless).

A massive output of indie vinyl was released steadily in 1997 from the likes of

Bee Why
Shamus
Raidermen
Natural Elements
Masterminds
Kukoo Da Bag Of Bonez
Finsta Bundy
Brainsick Mob
Brainsick Enterprize
Siah
Aboriginals
Wisdom
Adagio
K-OtixSir Menelik
Pumpkinhead
Primeridian
Sacred Hoop
Lower Life FormsR.A. The Rugged Man
Mike Zoot, Lace Da Booms and so many more, which of course will be uploaded on future comps.

Rawkus was the number one indie label, putting out the classic Soundbombing 1 compilation, also Company Flow were taking the reign as leaders of the underground movement and released the Funcrusher Plus LP.

That was just a brief rundown on 97...and if you want to know more I will put up some more info in the next installment, much love for checking the blog, getting the music and leaving feedback.

peace

Jaz
Back To 1997 Fat Tape-Volume One...

1-colored section - bomb mc original recipe (prod :coke)

2-mood_karma (prod: hi_tek)

3-beatnuts_do you believe (prod: beatnuts)

4-scienz_of_life_powers of nine ether (prod: don_q)

5-visionaries_blessings (prod: j_rocc)

6-bee why-remember the times

7-encore_defined by the dollar (prod: architect)

8-rakim_the saga begins (prod: pete_rock)

9-defari - bionic (prod: evidence)

10-lord_sear_alcoholic vibes (prod: lord_sear)

11-godfather_don-piece_of_the_action (prod: godfather_don)

12-no_i.d.-the_real_weight(prod: no_i.d.)

13-all_natural_drug wars (prod: molemen)

14-dv_alias_khrist_ft_mobb_deep_building (prod: havoc)

15-the dwellas - main aim (prod: nick_wiz)

16-kamakazee – snakes (prod: marley_marl)

17-cormega-angel dust(prod: sha-self)

18-rawcotiks – nevertheless (prod: choco)

19-oc-war gamez (prod: dj premier)

20-artifacts-the ultimate (showbiz remix)

21-mystik_journeymen_black sands (prod: sunspot jonez)

special thanks to Indie Cratez, Brakk and Frogga...

DJ Ace and Daquan...

Man, I really wish I could give you a picture of what these guys look like or give any info really but this is what happens when dope records are rare...

I was first exposed to the crushing Give It Up way back in 1988 on a show that I ended up running years later (peace to Rhys-B, 2-Ski and the MVC Posse and Old School Weds Nite Jam crew)...I asked many people for years and years about this track and no one knew who they were or had even heard of the track.

It wasn't until 2004 when I placed messages on about 10 Hip Hop related forums when some very helpful kids from a forum (I forget which one sorry) told me what and who it was, I always said it was DJ Ace, as the MC Daquan mentioned him.

This is one of my favourite ever joints and the slowed down legendary 'Amen Brother'(The Winstons) break and the UFO strings still give me chills as does the way Daquan rhymed like no one else in 1988, the B-Side Hard To The Core was just as good with a beautiful Jackson 5 track being cut up on the hook (I might be mistaken but it certainly sounds like a young M.J.) and DJ Ace going to work on the tables on some spacey shit, the main loop being the Issac Hayes classic Ike's Mood...to think that this came out in 1987 is still incredible, kids were really creative back then...I miss those days.

This will be 20 Years old this year...can you believe that?



DJ Ace and Daquan:
(Hunsar Records, Fort Lee, NJ. 1987)

Give It Up
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2UKOSU85

Hard To The Core
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BH8ZAT1S



The Winstons-Amen Brother
from The Colour Him Father 7"-1969
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P0SF0EZZ



Issac Hayes-Ikes Mood
from To Be Continued LP-1970
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AI785HCM

Hobo Junction...Limited Editon EP-1996

Saafir (Boxcar Sessions (1994) still remains a firm favourite) has always been one of my fave MC's but the whole Hobo Junction have always been on some next shit, It's solid West Coast Hip Hop(Bay Area, Oakland to be precise) with a twist of East Coast Hip Hop sensibilities and you can tell these kids love what they do and it's all about the passion for the art form rather than the almighty dollar.

The thing I love about this EP is the diverse rhyme styles and production techniques, I don't think I have ever heard Vaughn Mason's Bounce, Rock and Skate used so smoothly like The Whoridas have on Shot Callin & Big Ballin and I love the bugged out wobbling keyboards and piano tinkles on Saafir's In A Vest,

Hobo Junction have released a lot of material and it's all worth checking out and getting familiar with, but I think this EP is as good as any introduce you to the crew if you haven't heard them yet and if anyone wants to know who is sampled on Bignous's Just Not My Style, it's Akinyele off the track Exercise (1993)

1. Townsh_t - Whoridas w/ Saafir
2. In A Vest - Saafir
3. What's My Weapon - Eyecue
4. Shot Callin' & Big Ballin' - Whoridas
5. Crooked-Letter Eye - Eyecue
6. Just Not My Style - Bignous
7. Heir Apparent - Bignous & Rashinel

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JUUV6XHX


Huge and (I think) complete Hobo Junction Discography

http://members.aol.com/ProfQuater/Hobo_Junction.html

http://www.myspace.com/hobojunction

Hobo Junction was the brain child of legendary Oakland rapper Plan Bee and graffiti artist Mike Dream. While both men’s lives were tragically cut short, the Junction would go on to become one of the hottest underground acts of the ’90s, gaining particular notoriety from a series of freestyle battles with the Hieroglyphics. They copped big label exposure on Saafir’s debut for Qwest, the critically-acclaimed Boxcar Sessions (1994); dropped singles for indie Delicious Vinyl; and self-released three highly-regarded street classics: Limited Edition (1996), The Black Label (1997), and The Cleaners (1999). Their atmospheric soundscapes favor murky samples floating above or below innovative beats and unconventional flows. The emcees are artful story-tellers, skilled rhymers, and masters of the old school boast. This is head-nodding funk that wrinkles your brow, and with the passage of time, the line-up sounds less like an underground crew and more like a Bay Area supergroup.

Madlib...The Bad Kid...

...Aka The Beat Konducta

I could easily write a 5 page essay on the great, prolific and very diverse Oxnard producer,(first started producing in 1991-992) he is in my opinion one of the greatest ever behind the boards, from his lo fi and raw Hip Hop production to his Jazz workouts to the fact that he can work with any artist and create not only a dope track but a certain vibe and tone with each artist.

Madlib comes from a very talented family so it's not really surprising that his younger brother Oh No has followed in Lib's footsteps...(Oh No will be a later blog post)

Even though some people don't consider Madlib as dope as he was I think are not really listening closely,and his work on the 2007 Talib Kweli-Liberation EP is just fantastic, I think 20 years down the line, his beats and work ethic will be fondly remembered.I'm not going to compose the essay but instead I am going to let the music speak for itself, this is a collection of Madlib produced tracks from the 90's to the 00's...each track in my view, is well worth your listening time, I hope you enjoy these tracks if you haven't heard them before and please leave feedback if you check the joints out.

If this one does well I have other volumes... :)

Peace

Jaz

madlib-Invasion_of_the_beat_konducta_vol_1

1-lootpack-lost_art(original)-1998
2-kazi-wake_up-2000
3-epitome_earthquake-2000-(epitome was oh no and sauna)
4-the_liks_ft_lootpack_and_declaime_wklix-1995
5-lmno-ft_madlib_headlock-2002
6-lootpack_bone_marrow -1999
7-zion_i_ft_planet_asia_critical (madlib remix)-2000
8-declaime_laugh_now_cry_later-2001
9-foreign_legion_nowhere_2_hide_(madlib_static remix)-2000
10-med_in_rhymes_we_trust-2001
11-alkaholiks_mary_jane-1993
12-kazi_a.v.e.r.a.g.e.-2000
13-lootpack_lost_art (remix)-1998
14-lootpack_female_request_line-1996
15-med_associates-2001
16-lootpack-questions (remix)-1999
17-planet_asia_ft_madlib_definiton_of_ill (remix)-2000
18-lootpack_the_anthem (madlib_remix)-1998
19-427_business_deals-2000
20-percee-p-throwback rap attack(original version)-2006
21-kazi-wake up (unreleased remix)-2000

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=U3Y96I9O

Madlib's Stones Throw Discography

http://www.stonesthrow.com/madlib/discography.html

Madlib @ My Space

http://www.myspace.com/madlib

Anttex...Talk That Talk

Sadly, there isn't a lot about Hollis, Queen's, Anttex or this album out in the big bad www.com World and that's a shame because some of this album sounds even better in 2007 than it did when it was first released in 1991, on the always delivering Tuff City label (Grandmaster Caz, DJ Mark The 45 King, Lakim Shabazz & The Flavor Unit,PHD,YZ and mad others (see below for release links).

Anttex and The Motherfunkin' Klik had an Old School style with new school-ish beats(all crafted by Anttex) and it worked well and still does.

Anttex's flow was laid back and smooth and the lyrics often about his sexual prowess or a sometimes confusing hardcore steez, (dude you lived with your Mother and she told you to turn the sound down on the album intro ha ha) but at times it could be just a little too laid back and you would wish he would change his tone to set the faster beats.

Suburban Etiquette's production was jazzy and funk breaks based, yet sparse and effective and often used change ups as opposed to just straight loops (some of the keyboards sound really dated now though).

It's by no means a classic album but it is a solid album to check if you haven't,

Best tracks on the album for me would be Understand Me Vanessa,Talk That Talk, Hot Summer Days, To The Climax.


Peace to my Man M Bane



Anttex & The Motherfunkin Klik
Suburban Etiquette
Tuff City Records
1991

http://megaupload.com/?d=AP6g6BMC

1. Wake Up People
2. Trip 2 the Suburbs
3. Get Em Now (Bad Influence)
4. Crack Ya Back
5. Flavor Wit the Neighbors - Anttex and The Mother Funkin Clik,
6. Girls Like We Know - Anttex and The Mother Funkin Clik, Freedom & Whiskey
7. Warning Flammable - Anttex and The Mother Funkin Clik, Freedom & Whiskey
8. Gto and the Funky Horns
9. Skull Funkin
10. Talk That Talk - Anttex and The Mother Funkin Clik,
11. Ki Ki Bobo
12. Hot Summer Daus
13. Understand Me Vanessa
14. To the Climax
15. As the World Turns - AD, Anttex and The Mother Funkin Clik,
16. Dedicate
17. Oh Oliva

Anttex's other 12" releases and Tuff City Catalogue

http://www.tuffcity.com/html/allgenres.asp?SearchBy=Art&ReleaseAlbumList=2464&ReleaseArtistList=Anttex&ShowFormat=CDVY&AvailOpt=Avail

Let's Take A Trip To The Nutshop...

"The Beats is Nuts so you critics can't say shit",ah yes indeed as Blaq Poet rhymed on the ill Thinking 'Bout Cash joint (Stone Crazy LP, 1997).

The Beatnuts ,who originally wanted to be named The Beatkings, until Mike G of the Jungle Brothers said Beatkings?...you guys are *&&^%$# Nuts!!! and thus was born the legendary Latinos known to the World as The Beatnuts.

The Nuts production is unique and their resume is mad impressive, The Nuts first came to our attention with the crazy Intoxicated Demons EP in 1993, but before that The Nuts (at the time Ju Ju, Pyscho Les and Fashion (aka Al Tariq) were in the background for the classic Jungle Brothers second album Done By The Forces of Nature (1989) debuting their dynamic feats behind the boards on Monie Love's Pups Lickin Bone (Down To Earth LP,1990).

Next up was the last Native Tongue member, Chi Ali
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi_Ali
(the less said about the sad route he took...the better) and his album The Fabulous Chi Ali in 1992 was all Beatnuts production except for one Mr Lawnge produced joint, the first single Age Aint Nothin But A Number.

The Nuts quickly gained a solid fan base and released album after album, which some say varied in quality but it was all good to these ears, The Beatnuts are probably best known for bringing the late, great Big Pun to the masses on the classic Off The Books or one of the many catchy aimed for the clubs joints Watch Out Now, No Escapin This,Se Acabo,Hot (one of the many dope joints with Greg Nice) etc and for most fans the first album Street Level (1994) is still the one we will always remember them for, dusty beats, ill loops and the (then) trio's rhymes about not giving a fuck, beer, weed, woman and how hardcore they were was pure entertainment.

The Nuts are still doing their thing with Psycho Les releasing his first solo album in 2006, Psychotherapy:



which had guests K Solo,Black Attack,Goblin (ex Gab Gotcha) and Willie Stubz I thought it was good with more than a few bangers on it and well worth checking out and they also have joints on both Nature Sounds compilations http://www.nature-sounds.net/releases

But this is not really a focus on The Beatnuts as a group post, nope here we are going to look into their remix production skills for some of artists they laced remixes for, plus links to videos and other good things...Beatnuts Forever Die Hard.......

No I.D. ft Common-State To State (Beatnuts Remix)-1997
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P84Q9SP8

Naughty By Nature-It's On (Beatnuts Remix)-1993
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VED9UFGI

PMD-Shade Business (Beatnuts Remix)-1994
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O06PZYSO

Chi Ali_Funky Lemonade (Beatnuts Remix)-1992
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3A9E08IP

Soulive ft The Beatnuts-Steppin (Beatnuts Remix)-2003 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0E649LKI

Scritti Politti ft Mos Def-Tinseltown To Boogie Down (Beatnuts Remix)-2003
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HI3MED2C

Common-Breaker 1/9 (Beatnuts Remix)-1992
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KSLUDPUC

Mondo Grosso-Le Manage (Beatnuts Remix)-1996
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BPOOHSO6

Beatnuts-Simple Murder-2003
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=REVMP62J

Beatnuts Discographys:

http://www.danuts.com/discog.php
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Beatnuts,+The

Beatnuts @ My Space:

http://www.myspace.com/psycholes
http://www.myspace.com/jujubeatnuts

Beatnuts Videos at You Tube: NB: some of these may not work due to removal sadly

Beatnuts-No Equal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXkFE_srlcM

Beatnuts - Props Over Here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK9803HKrb0

Beatnuts feat Greg Nice-No Escapin This
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoNjrV2XmXk

Beatnuts-Watch Out Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPJIr5btmBc

Beatnuts feat Big Pun & Cuban Link-Off The Books
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX8dhk5_mwE

Beatnuts - do you believe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_PtMAWvNQg

Beatnuts - Reign Of The Tec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qksk3T68MtU

Psycho Les-Show Me Thoze!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0knUVFQx4lQ

Associated Artists:
Chi Ali- Funky Lemonade Remix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQe9Ied8so8


Chi Ali - roadrunner(remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc1RlTxgey8

DJ Honda Ft. Beatnuts & Fat Joe - Out For The Cash
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uenet94570E

DJ Honda Feat. Cuban Link, A.L. Juju & Missin' Linx - On The Mic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE9oOff5X5c

Kurious - walk like a duck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG7r_YLdPrE

Kurious feat. Sadat X, Mike G - Mansion And A Yacht
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfrVwTz5XV4


Kurious - i'm kurious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUJGjuzp8kY

Kurious - uptown hit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXZhShPBaN8

Mad Skillz - The Nod Factor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_4c2u3e-Js

Prime Minister Pete Nice & Daddy Rich - kick the bobo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9enKS16C1vs

Pete Nice and Daddy Rich - Rat Bastard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMKtj1tL-TI

Terror Squad - Whatcha Gon Do?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adSgUfjepfA