Touring The States: Chicago, IL

This is just a meagre text off the M-Doc wikipedia page:

"M-Doc is a rap artist and producer who was signed to RCA Records in the 1990s. He scored minor chart success with the singles "Free" and "It's a Summer Thang" featuring Chantay Savage.
In the late 90s he produced remixes for Madonna, Janet Jackson and Keith Sweat. Billboard called him "one of the R&B worlds top remixers".

If anyone have any of his other releases and is willing to share with us, please do it, it will be mad appreciated and we will make sure you'll get your deserved props on The T.R.O.Y. Blog community.

M-Doc - It's A Summer Thang (1994)

01. It's A Summer Thang (M-Doc Remix)
02. It's A Summer Thang (Underground Gangsta Remix)
03. It's A Summer Thang (Doc Strumental)
04. It's A Summer Thang (Gangsta Mental)
05. It's A Summer Thang (Silk's Old Skool)
06. It's A Summer Thang (Gangsta Remix Clean Version)
07. It's A Summer Thang (M-Doc Remix Clean Version)
08. It's A Summer Thang (Accapella)

DOWNLOAD

-- Markshot

Random VLS Drops: Terminator X - Juvenile Delinquintz

Fresh 320kbps rip

(I didn't scan the A-Side cause it has a huge Bart Simpson sticker over the label)

A1 Juvenile Delinquintz (Radio Version)

A2 Juvenile Delinquintz (Remix Radio Version)

A3 Juvenile Delinquintz (Remix Instrumental)

B1 Back To The Scene Of The Bass (LP Version)

B2 Back To The Scene Of The Bass (Remix Version)

B3 Back To The Scene Of The Bass (Remix Instrumental)

[Download here]

Here's another quick drop to go with the Terminator X piece from yesterday. Sorry that there's some crackles and pops on this one but it's not terrible, just a little worn.

Enjoy the video in HQ while downloading:

--Verge

I-Power 1993-1994

Just a quick drop today. Here are two super-dope vinyl only releases from I-Power. We believe most of the vinyl is sold-out; however we suggest you contact DJ Mo Funk directly (see below) for info. Peace to Verge for the 320 rips. --Philaflava

A1 Play Da Back
A2 Break Da Rulez
A3 Alternative
B1 Props, Loot & Credit Remix
B2 Fast Cash
B3 Today's Signs

Download

A1 Test Da Spirit
A2 Ruff Draft
A3 Da Nation's Amp
B1 Rock Da Spot
B2 Ruff Draft (Remix)
B3 Rock Da Spot (Instrumental)

Download

For more info hit up djmofunk@hotmail.com

Frankenstein “Live From New York (The Remixx Album)” (1996)

One of my favorite pieces from my vinyl collection. I picked this up back in 1996 just for Method Man's "P.L.O. Style" remix and I was pleasantly surprised with all the other tracks. In the last few years I've tracked down audio for just about everything that Frankenstein has ever done. I sure wish he'd come out from wherever he's hiding (a teacher in Canada?) and bless us with some new material.

DOWNLOAD

enjoy,
--dirt_dog

Random VLS Drops: Diamond D - What U Heard

Fresh rip at 320kbps

A1. What U Heard [Radio Edit]

A2. "*!*!" What U Heard [Original LP Version]

A3. I'm Outta Here (My Name Is John Doe)

B1. You Can't Front (...It Is Real) [Vocal]

B2. You Can't Front (...It Is Real) [Instrumental]

B3. I'm Outta Here (My Name Is John Doe) [Radio Edit]

[Download full 12" single here.]

This isn't only worth having for the ill cover art, but you also get a great B-Side, featuring Sadat X and Lord Finesse. Everything on this was produced by Diamond D, with Buckwild on the co production for "You Can't Front", Showbiz on "I'm Outta Here", and Lakim Shabazz on "What U Heard".

You know the shit is real, you can't front, jack.

Peep the video for "What U Heard":

--Verge

Random VLS Drops: Gang Starr - The ? Remainz

Fresh 320kbps vinyl rip

A1 Suckas Need Bodyguards (Clean)

A2 Suckas Need Bodyguards (Dirty)

A3 Suckas Need Bodyguards (Instrumental)

B1 The ? Remainz (Clean)

B2 The ? Remainz (Dirty)

B3 The ? Remainz (Instrumental)

[Download Full VLS Here] re-upped 4-15-10

Classic b-side winner. The dopest song from Hard To Earn, that wasn't on Hard To Earn.

What could be more fitting on a night like this?

Hope you pull through, Guru.

Peep the video in high quality.

Gang Starr - Suckas Need Bodyguards

Pics jacked from discogs, but the vinyl was ripped by me.

--verge

Roxanne Shante - Queen Pin (1995)

"Queen Pin" is Roxanne Shante's last solo record on Cold Chillin' Records. It was first released on Roxanne Shante's Greatest Hits in 1995 on Cold Chillin'. It is produced by Tony T. who produced for the late Cold Chillin' releases of Kool G Rap(XXX Cuts) and the Brooklyn Zoo 12"s. He also produced most of Mack da Maniak - Loco Motive album from 1996. "Queen Pin" was later released in 1996 as a promo 12" inch containing a remix. I would love to hear it if someone has it as I don't own it.. "Queen Pin" was ripped from the lp vinyl. Enjoy,

Download

-- Thomas V

Random VLS Drops: BDP - Love's Gonna Get'cha

Fresh vinyl rip at 320kbps

A1. Love's Gonna Get'cha (Material Love)[Extended Hard Version]

A2. Love's Gonna Get'cha (Material Love)[Extended Soft Version]

B1. Love's Gonna Get'cha (Material Love)[7" Radio Edit]

B2. The Kenny Parker Show

B3. Love's Gonna Get'cha (Material Love)[Instrumental]

[Download full 12" single here.]

I believe I was in 8th grade or a freshman in high school when I first saw this video.

Love life, not material shit.

Knowledge dropped, jewel gained.

Peep the video in high quality:

Boogie Down Productions - Love's Gonna Get'cha

--Verge

Nas & Ghostface “WR1 Remixes”

So this year I decided I was finally going to put a small dent in recording some of my vinyl. Some for the blog (see the Othorized F.A.M. & Cappadonna rips), others just for me. I should probably be saving this one for the next volume of Illegal Remixes with Step One, but I couldn't wait. I must have bought this one in 98 or 99 from HipHopSite or Sandbox. The labels were white with no writing, no nothing (I made these "fake" labels) and the only info was the etching in the runout said WR1. Sorry about any crackles and pops, I did everything I could to clean it up. If you have any info on this white label, please let me know.

a1 Nas - If I Ruled The World (WR1 Remix)
b1 Ghostface - Daytona 500 (WR1 Remix)

DOWNLOAD

enjoy,
-dirt_dog

Cappadonna & Drastic Measures “Taking Drastic Measures” (1996)

"1996. Beware of bio chips." Thanks for the advice Cappachino. Another dusty gem from my never ending Wu obsession. There's always been something about this track I've enjoyed... maybe it's the lazy, slow, Park Hill flow?

From the picture sleeve (that mine didn't come in): "It's Cappadonna. He ripped it on 'Ice Water' and 'Ice Cream' from Raekwon's Only Built For Cuban Linx (Gold LP). He kicked it with Wu-Tang's Ghost Face Killer, Masta Killer, Raekwon and U-God on the Don't Be A Menace Soundtrack cut 'Winter Warz.' Also his cut 'If It's Alright With You' featuring U-God was featured on The Great White Hype Soundtrack. Now Cappadonna aka Cappachino is taking drastic measures."

Scans of side a, side b and the jacket sticker are included in the download.

01 Cappadonna & Drastic Measures-Taking Drastic Measures
02 Cappadonna & Drastic Measures-Taking Drastic Measures (Instrumental)
03 Cappadonna & Drastic Measures-Taking Drastic Measures (Cyphamix)
04 Cappadonna & Drastic Measures-Taking Drastic Measures (Cyphamix Instrumental)
05 Drastic Measures-Ain't That What's Her Name?

DOWNLOAD

enjoy,
--dirt_dog

Editors Note (Philaflava): Drastic Measures was actually Lork LaRock and Wizone if I recall. It was their record but since Cappa was the main draw they marketed the single as if it was Cappas. I was never a big fan of this but that has nothing to do with Cappa. I definitely recommend anyone checking this out who hasn't already.

Othorized F.A.M. “You Shine” (1997)

As mentioned in the past, I've always been a big fan of Wu-Tang and most of the spin-off affiliates. And this Othorized F.A.M. record used to be one of my prized possessions. I never knew too much about this group as they were mostly a mystery and everything I heard came second hand: hail from Staten Island, part of Cappadonnna's camp and originally signed to Atlantic Records. Othorized F.A.M. is made up of Sean Wigs, Lounge Lo, Crunch Lo & Molly Q. While I believe most of the members are still doing solo stuff, Wigs is also a member of Ghostface's Theodore Unit. I'm pretty sure that this vinyl was released in 1997, but I can find no evidence to back it up. Included are scans of side a, side b and the sticker that was in the sleeve.

DOWNLOAD

enjoy,
-- dirt_dog

Random VLS Drops: Percee P - Nowhere Near Simple

Another fresh 320kbps random vinyl rip for the fam

A1 Nowhere Near Simple(Clean Edit)

A2 Nowhere Near Simple(Street Mix)

A3 Nowhere Near Simple (Instr.)

B1 Don't Cum Strapped(Street Mix)

B2 Don't Cum Strapped(Instr.)

Download here.

Preview:

Just adding on to the last post that Thomas V graciously blessed us with here. I just happened to have ripped this vinyl to mp3 about a week or two ago, and this seems as appropriate a time as ever to share it with the T.R.O.Y. fam and followers.

Percee P needs no introduction if you're a regular around here. I can't front, this record damn near blew my mind the first time I heard it on the Stretch and Bobbito show. Not just his lyrical miracles with the unorthodox rhyme flex, but finessing that line from Group Home into a dope hook is what always got me.

Enough blithering already. Download and enjoy this record.

--Verge

Random VLS Drops - Hyperdermic Needlz (1995)

I'm going to be dropping these random vinyl rips to quench that extra thirst for more T.R.O.Y. material that we all get sometimes. Just on some bonus treat end of the night steez.

(fresh 320kbps vinyl rip, cell phone cam scan)

A1 Hyperdermic Needlz - Always (raw mix)

A2 Hyperdermic Needlz - Always (radio)

A3 Hyperdermic Needlz - Always (instrumental)

B1 Hyperdermic Needlz - Word Up (raw mix)

B2 Hyperdermic Needlz - Word Up (radio)

B3 Hyperdermic Needlz - Word Up (instrumental)

[Download Here]

Previews:

Always (radio)

Word Up (radio)

This one is pretty nice. I'm partial to the b-side, "Word Up", because of the more mellow tone and the seemingly leisurely original flow that the second guy on the mic spits. And you can never go wrong with sampling Redman's quotable, "no matter who you are, you still catch a bullet scar." Don't sleep on "Always", though. It's dope, 'nuff said.

This was executive produced by Thirstin Howl III (legendary Lo Life skillionaire who was supposed to be working on an album with Sadat X in 2008 and they were recently seen in the studio together, peep the link on his name)and released on "Cook Rock Records". I believe this was their only release. I don't know who's who on these songs, but the record credits the writers as Napalm Bomb, Non DaScrip, and Breez, and was produced by Sonata.

Enjoy and expect a lot more of these ranging from known to unknown, but always dope.

And check the hyper links in the post. There's an article on the history of Lo Life and a great interview with Thirstin in there.

--Verge

Dysfunkshunal - Mixed Emotions 96 Demo EP

Yes! More mid 90's Dysfunkshunal Fam. If you dig the Finsta/Dysfunkshunal/SOB/Bushwick

camp, then you will surely be happy with this. Keep in mind that they ARE demos, so the audio quality isn't polished. Personally, I like that dirty dank basement sound. And also, a few google searches revealed that these demos have been circulating for a couple of years, I just haven't heard them until now.

The joint for me is "Tear Your Kingdom Down". "In Life" is another one that would have gotten some underground airplay back in the day. And "Cause We Are" sounds like it would have fit perfect on the Dysfunkshunal/Finsta Bundy EP from 1997.

A1 Tear Your Kingdom Down

A2 8 Million Stories

A3 In Life

A4 Same Ole Same Ole

B1 Cause We Are

B2 Raw Like This

B3 Life And Death

[Download here.]

Peep the snippets:

Thanks to Chopped Herring Records and Crazy DJ Bazarro for surfacing these.

I believe there are still copies left, but be prepared to spend more than a little here, but less then some

other "limited" release based labels.

--Verge

Brand Nubian - The Now Rule Files EP [1989-1997]

Here it is! One Leg Up Records comes through with another batch of unreleased tracks and demo mixes. This time they ran down on Puba for some ill Brand Nubian joints most of us never knew about. I'm typing this in advance so you can get this download asap.

From the snippets, "How Ya Livin'", "Mind Your Business"(original mix), and "Probable Cause"(original mix) are sounding incredible. "Love Vs. Hate"(alternative mix) sounds basically the same, except Sadat kicks a completely different verse. There might be minor differences with the beat, but nothing that I immediately noticed.

Here's Haj "4XL" from OLU's description:

“How Ya Livin’” is a previously unheard of demo recorded prior to “One For All” and it is produced by none other than, the chocolate boy wonder, Pete Rock! The vintage track comes complete with the Soul Brother #1's trademark cuts as well. “I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That” is an uptempo early Nubian joint as well. On this track you hear Puba taking parting shots at Strong City Records and declaring that both his Masters of Ceremony days and style is over! “The Devil” is a conscious record, that was scrapped prior to “One For All”, but serious Grand Puba fans will undoubtedly recognize that the hook and song concept was later revisited for the track “Soul Controller” on Puba’s debut LP, “Reel To Reel”. “Mind Your Business”, as you might recall, was a b-side only track released during “Reel To Reel”. This original version sports a Hall and Oates sample that could not be cleared, prompting Dante Ross / Stimulated Dummies to remix the song for the 12”. Fortunately in 2009, the version that Grand Puba preferred is finally available to collectors. “Where is Puba?” is somewhat of an early version of “Check It Out”. The vocalist that appears on this track was an artist who Puba was recording with before Mary J. Blige. The original version of “Probable Cause” features a different beat then the one that made the final version of “Foundation”. As you might recall, the released version used the Grover Washington Jr. “Knucklehead” sample (best known on K-Solo’s “Fugitive”). This version is a LOT better in my opinion and I have no idea why they changed it? Last but not least, the “Love vs. Hate” alternate version treats us to a completely different Sadat X vocal performance and still maintains to be a favorite from the “Foundation” project.

[Download here]

[Back up Link]

Thanks to HAJ at One Leg Up for digging up unreleased gems that we actually care about.

If you need to catch up on all of their previous "limited" vinyls, download them all here.

--Verge

Resurrection '95 Vs. Large Professor Remix Vs. Extra P. Remix

12" Vinyl Single

A1 Resurrection '95 (Clean)

A2 Resurrection Extra P. Remix (Clean)

A3 Resurrection Large Professor Remix (Clean)

A4 Resurrection '95 Acapella

B1 Resurrection '95 Instrumental

B2 Resurrection Extra P. Instrumental

B3 Resurrection Large Professor Instrumental

B4 Chapter 13 (Clean)[not really clean, mislabelled]

[Download]

Before downloading, remember I put all these singles and samples in one folder at the bottom of the page. This is just if you already have something and don't want to download it all.

Resurrection CD Single

01. Resurrection '95 (Dirty)

02. Resurrection (Extra P. Remix)(Dirty)

03. Resurrection (Large Professor Remix)(Dirty)

04. Chapter 13 (Dirty)

05. Soul By The Pound (Thump Mix)(Dirty)

[Download]

So, you had to know this would be brought up here eventually. I'm not gonna get into how great the album was, what my favorites were off of it, how crazy I thought Communism was, or any of that at this time. Right now, it's all about one of the possibly greatest records to own, just for the remixes. I remember feeling stupefied when I first heard both remixes on the same night. I figured that one of them had to be unofficial or a really great homegrown remix. But when I copped the promo a week or two later and realized that they were both on the record and both done by the Large Professor, well, shit. And I only recently realized that only the CD single had the dirty versions, so you're gonna want to download everything here at the bottom of the post.

Which is your favorite is the question, though.

No ID's album version?

It's great in it's own right. I love that piano loop and here's the video-

Or the good mood inducing, summer day on your way out the city to the beach feeling, Large Professor Remix?

Or is it the Extra P Remix? This is my personal favorite and always has been. Some people can favor one today and the other tomorrow. This is so great with the night time 95 groove. That sample just blew my mind and still does. He was catching samples nobody else will ever be able to match.

Just plain awesome.

The Samples:

Ahmad Jamal - Dolphin Dance (og 95 mix sample snippet)

David Axelrod - The Signs Part2 (large professor remix sample snippet)

Spirit - Ice (extra p remix sample snippet)

[Download every song in this post in one folder here], including full versions of the samples.

[Back up link]

Sorry no drum breaks. Gotta find those yourself. But if you're really fiending for them, drop a comment and I'll send you in the right direction.

Let us know your favorite mix in the comments. So far, at the T.R.O.Y. forum, the Extra P Remix has a commanding lead. But the og No ID mix is on the creep...

--Verge

Wu-Tang Clan “Dirty & Stinkin’ (Bootleg Vinyl)”

And by Wu-Tang Clan I really mean the one and only... Ol' Dirty Bastard. This was by far one of my favorite non-album tracks that ever surfaced. This bootleg vinyl was another one of my prized scores from the mid to late 90's while I scoured all over Chicago buying just about anything Wu-Tang I could get my hands on (I think I'm still paying off my credit card bills).

DOWNLOAD

So that was the good and now comes the bad and the ugly. In 2001 there was a promo cd single that surfaced containing some horrible whack ass Main Mix and a Remix for "Dirty & Stinkin'." This time around they threw in Method Man to try and save things. Complete failure. Almost as bad, in the same year there was Phil Collins cover album called Urban Renewal. Ol' Dirty's contributions was "Sussudio." Even DJ Clark Kent had his hand in it and they totally killed it, in a very bad way. If you care to hear how people ruined such a great track, grab it below.

DOWNLOAD

enjoy,

--dirt_dog

Jigmastas - Beyond Real 1996 (DVD Video Rip)

Since '96, Brooklyn's DJ Spinna and MC Kriminal have been turning out fresh underground hip hop of the highest caliber. The Jigmastas debuted with their first official 12" "Beyond Real" on their self titled label "Beyond Real Recordings" in 1996. They had actually appeared on two compilations prior to their debut 12" in '94 & '95 but they're mostly known for their "Beyond Real" record; Bomb Hip Hop in 1994 & Blackmarket Unreleased in 1995, one track on each to be exact. But back to "Beyond Real" this is the joint that made them bigger on the underground scene. They also recorded a video for it which i'm bringing to you today. I got it a while back, can't remember where.. It was titled as a dvdrip even though I don't know what dvd it could have been from. The video quality is top notch though. I'll give it 10 for an 90's underground video quality. I think that it's pretty rare to find. I also included the full 12" rip of "Beyond Real" below the video download. Enjoy,

Download

Bonus: Beyond Real / Dead Man's Walk 12" (1996)

-- Thomas V

DJ Spinna: Instrumental Review (By Roy Johnson)

Cop The New DJ Spinna Album!!

Half A Mill - The Project Prophet (R.I.P.)

DJ Mike Nice recently uncovered this 1995 demo and brought it to the T.R.O.Y. forum fam.

Even if you have it already, download it again. I slowed it down a bit. For some reason, certain cassettes recorded at a slower rate which made the music sound a little faster than it was intended to sound.

Take a quick listen and start to understand what makes Half A Mil's mid 90's material so coveted-

Half A Mil - In The Projects (1995 demo)

[Download here or at the bottom of the page with everything in one folder.]

I remember having that and a few other Half A Mill demos from college radio, back in the day. I had a few of his legendary freestyles, too, but my WNYU tapes were always full of static because of their weak radio signal. I used to have the ill hook up for taping from 89.1. Hanger attached to the antenna with aluminum foil, and I had to hold the radio and point the antenna a certain way to get halfways decent reception. And still, right when you think you got it perfect, you hear some static start to creep in. And you either hope it doesn't get worse or start moving around just a little, hoping to get some clarity.

Anyway, I've probably listened to this demo over 30 times since Mike uploaded it. Shit is amazing. Lines like these put Half in the upper echolons of underground legends with the likes of the Natural Elements and Godfather Don:

"I'm from the projects, the pyramids

each room is a tomb, crack babies and boom,

we call jakes Legion of Doom, executioners, sorcerors,

modern day extortioners, they job is enforcing us..."

Moving right along, we're going to bring you a folder of freestyles, the Project Prophet mixtape, another unknown track and Half A Mill's self produced independent 12" release.

Half A Mill Productions 12" Vinyl Single

A1 - Any Day Can Be Ya Last (Vocal)

A2 - Homicide Scene (Vocal)

B1 - Any Day Can Be Ya Last (Instrumental)

B2 - Homicide Scene (Instrumental)

[Download VLS here]

The Project Prophet Mixtape

[Download Mixtape Here]

And here's another Half A Mill track that I caught over at HipHopGiant.blogspot.com. It says that it's off of a bootleg EP. It's listed as Executioner's Song and the quality was really bassed out, where you couldn't make out the lyrics too well. I did my best to fix it up and make the lyrics audible. I have no clue when this song is from. A ballpark guess would be that this was recorded sometime between 1995 and 1998.

Half A Mill - Executioner's Song

[Download here or at bottom of page with everything in one folder]

Now, we're going to move right on into the radio freestyles that also helped secure Half A Mill's place in my personal underground legend hall of fame.In all, we have 12 separate freestyles. The first five were uploaded straight from WNYU cassettes by Nes over at DirtyWaters. There are some classic verses on these, don't sleep. There is also a freestyle that was separated from the Roots 30 minute session at WNYU, that was posted here. There's one from a DJ Lazy K mixtape from 1998, called Justo Allstars freestyle. There's also one that's apparently from an old Stretch& Bobbito show and one that I have no idea of it's origins. And another 3 with

with Nature, courtesy of Hustle The Block.

Half A Mill WNYU Freestyle 1996

[Download the freestyle folder here.]

Personally, I wasn't too pleased with his two albums, but alot of people were. I thought they were really lacking on the beat tip. His label didn't do him justice either, hardly anybody even knew the albums dropped when they did. Check one of them out at Steady Bloggin'.

For the record, if you didn't know, Half A Mill was found shot to death in his apartment in 2003.

RIP

[Download everything from this blog post, in one folder here.]

[Back up link]

The back up link doesn't have those 3 freestyles with Nature in it.

Thanks to dirtywaters, boogzthedon, itzmurda, Hip Hop Giant, Hustle The Block,

Dj Mike Nice, and K-Funkadelic.

Let's hope DJ Scratch properly releases that Half A Mill demo tape, already.

--Verge