Freshly Ripped From The Crates

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

Livin' Large

If you dismiss Heavy D. as only being the guy who rapped the In Living Color theme song, then you are doing yourself a disservice. The Money earnin' Mount Vernon native, along with the Fat Boys, made it possible for fatties everywhere to gain respect for their talent rather than their smooth looks, as evidenced on funk strong songs like Chunky But Funky, The Overweight Lover's In The House, and Overweighter, the latter which samples ABC by the Jackson 5.


But it's not all about the calories - this is just a pure fun party album, much in the vein of lighthearted fare like Nice and Smooth's debut. Cuts like On The Dance Floor, Mr Big Stuff (remix), and Moneyearnin' Mount Vernon will put a smile on your face thinking about how rap used to be. Producers include Teddy Riley (who along with Heavy D helped usher in the New Jack Swing era), Marley Marl, and Al B Sure.


One more thing - I'd be remiss in not mentioning the name of this blog comes from Pete Rock and CL Smooth's dedication to Trouble T Roy, one of Heavy D's dancers who died on tour in 1990. RIP



http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=913d1aafa81cb840d2db6fb9a8902bda


1) "The Overweight Lovers in the House"- 3:34
2) "Nike"- 2:00
3) "Chunky But Funky" (Remix)- 3:57
4) "Dedicated"- 4:10
5) "Here We Go"- 3:43
6) "On the Dance Floor"- 2:59
7) "Moneyearnin' Mount Vernon"- 3:32
8) "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"- 2:12
9) "Overweighter"- 3:15
10) "I'm Getting Paid"- 3:29
11) "Rock the Bass"- 3:44
12) "Mr. Big Stuff" (Remix)- 3:23
13) "Don't You Know" feat. Al B. Sure


--admiral