Philaflava.com's 100 Greatest Obscure Tracks: Part Four

Alright, back on the grind. Damn, here I am on a Saturday night workin' on the fuckin' site? Pathetic eh? I played basketball all afternoon, so my old, fat ass is tired as shit, so I'm chillin' have some rum & cokes and a few beers. Figured I'd better get some Philaflava joints up. Glad y'all enjoying the series.

Link for all 10 tracks

Erick Sermon - If You Don't Know Like I Know feat. Trigger, Heltah Skeltah & O.G.C.
Erick Sermon - The Ill Shit feat. Kam & Ice Cube
Fab 5 (Heltah Skeltah + O.G.C.) – Blah
Fesu – War With No Mercy
Fierce - Crab
Funkmaster Flex - Six Million Ways To Die feat. Nine & Tragedy
Godfather Don – Burn (Remix)
Gova Mattic – Family Day feat. Redman, Tame One, Pace Won, Young Zee, Roz Noble & Runt Dog
Grand Puba - Fat Rat
Hard 2 Obtain - Ism and Blues

Erick Sermon - If You Don't Know feat Heltah Skeltah, Trigga Tha Gambler, & OGC (???????)

I know NOTHING about this joint. I'd probably be better to let Jaz of Cold Rock The Spot talk on this one, because he is the local E Double expert. I can't even find anything on the net about it. That said, it's not bad, but probably nothing I'd go nuts over. The beat sounds like something I've heard before on a Craig Mack album. E Double handles his own behind the mic, but I've never had a problem with his rhyming skills. Rock is on the hook, which is always cool to hear. You also have Trigga, who is an extremely overlooked MC. He brings his style and flavor. It's not a bad song, just probably something I'd lump into the top 100. - Trav

Erick Sermon - The Ill Shit feat Kam & Ice Cube (Def Jam/RAL, from the "No Pressure" LP, 1993)

This is probably another joint I wouldn't consider "obscure", but it's a great cut regardless. E Double was always good with making east coast beats that could very easily be played over on the west coast. Full of funk and flava, E Double hooks up with Cube when he was at the pinnacle of his popularity and hip hop respect. Kam was also an overlooked west coast MC and does an admirable effort hanging with Cube. This track is full of great one liners, at least for me. It wasn't my favorite song from the album, but it might had the honor of having some of my favorite lyrics. - Trav

Fab 5 (Heltah Skeltah + O.G.C.) – Blah (Priority, from the 12 inch "Blah b/w Leflah", 1995)

Rockness Monster is the fucking man. I have to say it. With all the praise of Ruck (Sean P.), Rockness to me was always better. And this track from Heltah Skeltah and OGC sub-sets of the larger Boot Camp Click, explains why I feel that way. Not to take anything way from Starang, Top Dog, Louisville and Ruck who themselves are as proficient as anyone in that era in verbally murdering any beat, with their grandiloquently hardcore raps. With a striking chorus, and laced with a phenomenal beat, both groups trade verses giving their one dose of violence, while exhibiting their personal doctrine of what it is to be hardcore and daring any rivals to "come test" their credentials on or off the M.I.C. - Original Philaflava post

Fesu - War With No Mercy (Continuum Records, from the album "War With No Mercy", 1995)

In some ways this entry is kind of surprising, in other ways, it's not. Fesu never made a lot of noise when he was making albums, but his claim to fame would be when he made the Source's "Unsigned Hype" column back in '93 (I think). He dropped an EP, then a full length album, "War With No Mercy". Hailing from the south in those days, you didn't have much of a chance if you weren't on any label not named Rap-A-Lot, No Limit or Sauve House. The album didn't do all that much, but the title track was one of the better tracks from the album (I'd say the best track is "Goosebumps"), but it does have a nice soulful beat, with an ill guitar loop and a sample that I should know. The drums are the same as those used on "Nuthin' But A G Thang". Fesu himself is nice on the mic, recounting tales of the streets. - Trav

Fierce - Crab ****FIXED*****(Hot Wax, found on the 12 inch release "Crab b/w Come Close"

Fierce is a very talented MC who has one 12' to his credit and one appearance on a major label release that includes 50 Cent, Puffy, Mase, and all kinds of representatives of the jiggy-faggot era that was 1997-1999. Fierce gain such notoriety at one point that he was on Rap City with only a 12' to his name and no video to show for it. The 12' in question is "Come Close/Crab" and it's really remarkable. He displays a verbal dexterity unseen in many of the greatest rappers and this is evidenced by amount of rhymes he can pack into the bars without sounding rushed, contrived, or anything less than quite polished. As dope as he comes on "Crab," "Come Close" is even more vicious on the mic. "Crab" is the better song because the lyrics fit the mood of the dark, haunting piano loop better than "Come Close" does on the B-Side. "Crab" is the A-Side to his 1996 Hot Wax 12' release. If you like what you hear you can check for more of Fierce's rhymes on Tha Madd Rapper's 1999 album "Tell 'Em Why You Mad" on "Whateva" and the promo only "For The Love" 12' which is also a Madd Rapper release that is tough to find. - Orginal Philaflava post

Funkmaster Flex feat 9 Double M & Tragedy - Six Million Ways (Wreck Records, found on the "Sad & Blue" b/w Six Million Ways", 1993)

We all hit this one on the head getting this on the list as it's one of my personal favorite joints and I believe it was included on the first ever volume of WYDU Classics. For those of you not in the know, 9 Double M would later release two albums as Nine, the gruff voice NY MC that I've always liked. This track is credited as being produced by Funkmaster Flex, but somehow I doubt that claim. The "co-producer" is Salaam Remi, which I'd be more inclined to believe, although it really sounds like some early Buckwild shit. Nine is the main focus on this track, as he drops two ill verses, while already using that "love it or hate it" vocal style that you automatically know who it is. Trag drops an quick little sixteen that you almost miss if you aren't paying attention. He is still sounding more Intelligent Hoodlum that Tragedy Khadafi, which I always thought was better. - Trav

Godfather Don - Burn (Remix) (Hydra Entertainment, from the "Diabolique" LP, 1998)

While I really like this song, the sheer amount of Godfather Don 12 inch singles out there, I think there would be something better than this joint to put up for him. Don is one of those MC's loved by the real heads, but has always remained below the radar fro the average hip hop fan. He has a shitload of single only releases out there that should be track down by any fan of the mid 90's sound. It's well worth your time. This joint is a banger, complete with an ill string sample that gives that back alley feel right before a shootout. It's produced by Godfather Don himself, who is even more overlooked as a producer than an MC. Ill joint, if you haven't heard the Diabolique album, this is just a taste of what can be found on it. - Trav

Govna Mattic – Family Day feat. Redman, Tame One, Pace Won, Young Zee, Roz Noble & Runt Dog (Unreleased?1997)

Ok, ok, ok- I know it sounds oxymoronic or even impossible but this song came out in 1997 and still remains obscure and elusive to collectors. I mean, how can a song with a feature by a platinum-selling rapper (Redman), a member of a highly acclaimed group with video play on Rap City and Yo! MTV Raps (Tame One, formerly of The Artifacts), and the hottest underground group of the era (Young Zee and Pacewon of the Outsidaz, who were featured on The Fugees 10-times platinum album The Score) ever be obscure? Well, it remained obscure because it was released by Govna Mattic, a relative of Redman and by proxy Tame One. Govna Mattic himself is a Newark legend and was in a group with Dizzle Don. Much like Redman, these guys love to smoke weed. Red is actually on the cover of the Govna Mattic/Diezzle Don 12'"Ghetto Red Hot" breaking up a brick of weed in front of a map of the world- which they obviously sought to take over via their vinyl sales. Anyway, "Family Day" is basically a laid-back song that reminds me of a mid-summer bar-b-que and to that end a family reunion gets underway over the sweet, melodic beat provided by Govna Mattic himself. Redman, Tame, and I think Govna Mattic are all cousins. Roz Noble, that's likely Reggie Noble's sister. Young Zee and Pace are related as well and Pace I think is related to Tame. This was supposed to be released on Govna's 1998 LP Hell Up In Newark and the album even got great reviews in Rap Pages and The Source but it never got a distribution worthy of the reviews it received. - Original Philaflava post

Trav's Note: ILLLLLLL fuckin' song and it was new to me....Download THIS song

Grand Puba - Fat Rat (MCA, on the "Strictly Business" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, 1991)

Grand Puba was my dude back in the early 90's. I thought anything he touched was gold. But listening to this track that appeared on a shitty soundtrack isn't really my thing these days. Puba still rips it, but the track is just straight up booty in my opinion. It's almsot New Jack Swing-ish sounding, which isn't automatically bad, but I just wasn't feeling this, even then. The soundtrack itself was rather crappy, and this was back when soundtracks were usually halfway decent. - Trav

Hard 2 Obtain – Ism & Blues (Atlantic, found on the "Ghetto Diamond" b/w "Local Hero" & "Ism & Blues, 1994)

It's hard to believe that a "title track" wouldn't be included on the album its named after, but that's the case with Hard 2 Obtain's "Ism & Blues" track that was included as a b-side to "Ghetto Diamond". Produced by the production crew, the Stimulated Dummies, the track would have fit in perfectly on a Black Moon album, with the SD's doing their best Beatminerz imitation. The tight bass line grabs the listener right off the bat then on the chorus the horns come with the smoothness that reminds one of smoking the ism in a dark club. MC's Taste and DL aren't the best lyricists by any means, but fit nicely on the track and remind ones self why you didn't need to be a incredible lyricist to make a great album. The posse chorus that ran prevalent throughout hip hop during the early 90's is found here as well, but as I said, everything just works perfectly with this track. It's unfortunate that this track didn't make the album, not sure if it was sample issues or what the reasoning was, but it would have been one of the best songs on an already good album. - Original Philaflava Post

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Used CD Shopping Trip: Month of November

*NOTE*
I wrote the majority of this back in November and have been sitting on it ever since. I had planned to post it after my first used CD excursion but after taking over two hours to upload one album on a friends computer, I said fuck that and decided to wait until I got my internet situation resolved. I've added other trips as I went along. The month of December has been one of Hannah Montana and High School Musical CD's for my daughter, so hence, no trips this month. I'm going to have expose her to some better music in the next couple years. If I hear Hannah Montana again in my life, it'll be too soon.

With the move, it means "new" places for me to go digging for used CD's. In all actuality, most of these places are my old haunts that a lot of my collection has come from in the past. The town doesn't have a lot of independent music stores, which are my favorite places to go digging. The only place currently in town is "The Record Exchange", other than that, we have "Hastings", which Eric on WTR discovered this year can contain a treasure trove of goodies at times. As I said, I'm well familiar with the places around here, so as I was driving around submitting resumes to places, I had to stop by my two favorite Hastings locations in town and check out the used CD sections.

1st Stop: Hastings On Fairview Ave & South Cole Road Total CD's Bought: Four,Total Spent: $7.62

Hastings has raised their prices since I was last in town over the Christmas season, which kind of sucks. I saw many CD's I had bought in Denver for a few bucks going for seven to eight bucks here, which is a joke. There was some decent stuff, but I'm always on a budget, and even more so now without a job. I am going to go back and get "Boogiemonsters - God Sound" Lp when I have the dough.

Domino - Dominology (Thug Records, 1997)(a/k/a/ The World of Dominology)$1.99

1. Dominology

2. Shake It Up

3. On Them Thangz

4. Do You Like It

5. Keep Goin'

6. Get Yo Money

7. Come On Over

8. Sowed Up Like Clothes

9. Daddy Mack

10. Booty Call

11. Just Clownin'

12. Everybody Wanna Be A G

I was a big fan of Domino's debut self titled LP that dropped in '95 and often wondered why although he released several other LP's after his debut, but none of them made any noise, I mean NONE, ZERO, ZILCH. Well, for a $1.99, I figured I could afford to find out. It's easy to see why he never reached "gold" again. Everything that was good about "Domino" is not found on here and everything that made west coast hip-hop fall on its face in the late 90's is found on here. But, feel free to hear for yourself.

The Creators - Weight (Bad Magic, 2000) $1.99

1. The Mission - DJ Mr. Thing

2. The Music - El Da Sensei

3. We Waitin' - Evidence

4. Heart Pound - Evidence

5. The Legacy... - Masta Ace

6. That's My Word - Craig G

7. All Yours - T. La Rock

8. Kronkite - Phil Da Agony

9. Fonk Flavour - Plus One

10. In And Out - Consequence

11. Zillo - DJ Mighty Mi

12. Street Conexions - Out Da Ville

13. Zooted - Mike Zoot

14. Hoe's And Dough - Mike Zoot

15. Creators (Rise On Top) - The Creators

16. (Another) Another World - Mos Def

17. Internatio Nal Ghetto - Juliano

18. W.A.R. - Tribel

19. The Aftermath - The Creators

20. No Love - F.T.

21. Before We Touch - Juliano

22. Watch Us Touch - Consequence

23. Enter The Stage - Mad Lib

24. The Cypher - Lootpack

25. Skits, Blunts And Hip Hop - Diamond D

26. Oh Yeah - Mike Zoot

27. The Coming - The Creators

28. Hard Margin - Mos Def

I remember downloading the Consequence and Phil Da Agony tracks right when this album probably came out and liked both of them a lot. They both got a lot of play on my own mixtapes I'd make for myself. I looked for the CD, although probably not to hard, and never found it. Earlier this year, I think Dart Adams posted it up and I checked it then. It's a good album, and since its a producers album, the beats all have the same kind of flavor to them. Well worth checking out if you haven't already.

K-Solo - Times Up (Atlantic, 1992) $4.99

1. I Can't Hold It Back

2. Letterman

3. Long Live The Fugitive

4. Premonition Of A Black Prisoner

5. Sneak Tip

6. The Baby Doesn't Look Like Me

7. The Formula (House Party)

8. Who's Killin' Who?

9. Household Maid

10. Rock Bottom

11. King Of The Mountain

This was the highlight of the trip, finding this. I had this way back when, but lost it in my house party days while living in Salt Lake City. This bad boy is going for $18.99 on Amazon right now, so the couple bucks thrown down for it was more than worth it.

Cru feat Slick Rick - Just Another Case Single (Def Jam, 1997) $0.99

1. Radio Edit
2. Remix Radio Edit
3. LP Instrumental

I'm a sucka for remixes that appear on singles and for a buck, I figured I'd pick up this for the remix alone, which is actually just the same song with the same keys but using the same drum break that is found on "Mona Lisa".

Hastings on Overland Rd & 5-Mile Road Total CD's Bought: Four Total Spent $9.63

This location was my homebase growing up. I spent many hours and dollars in this store. It was close to my parents house growing up, so I felt right at home there. Same story as the other store though, little on the high side for what they were trying to sell.

YG'z - Street N---a (Reprise, 1993) $1.99

1. Street Nigga

2. Ghetto Club

3. Sumthin' 4 da Head

4. Wonders in da Bed

5. Itchy Trigger Finger

6. Street Nigga [Pete Rock Remix]

Pete Rock's weed carriers dropped this EP, after making noise on the "Menace II Society" soundtrack. They were not all that talented, and Pete didn't give them his best stuff, but I still think of this story every time I think of the YG'z.

Fesu - War With No Mercy (Continum Records, 1994) $1.99

1. War With No Mercy

2. Scariest M.F. Gonna Shoot

3. King Daddy

4. Fallin' Off Da Deep End

5. That Time Of The Month

6. Goosebumps

7. Goin' In Circles

8. 22 Ag'

9. Life Out Da Matchbox

10. Minister Robert

11. Blind-Cripple And Crazy

12. Ya Don't Stop

13. Uncut Funk

14. Brother Warren

I guess this dudes claim to fame would be highlited in "The Souce" (when it still meant a shit) as an Unsigned Hype artist. The album isn't all that, but it's not bad.


Sway & King Tech-Wake Up Show Freestyles Vol 1& 2 $1.99

Vol 1 http://sharebee.com/443f316b

1		Wake Up Show Theme Intro
2	Red Alert	Intro
3	AMG	Freestyle
4	Lady Patra & Little Vicious	Freestyle
5	Grand Daddy IU*	Freestyle
6	Mr. Magic	Interlude
7	Freddie Foxx*	Freestyle
8	Shyheim & Wu Tang Clan*	Freestyle
9	Shyheim	Freestyle Pt. 2
10	Champ MC	Freestyle
11	Supernatural (2)	Freestyle
12	Akinyele	Freestyle
13	Jay Z* & Original Flavor	Freestyle
14	H2O (12)	Freestyle
15	Fugees	Freestyle
16	Masta Ace	Freestyle
17	Milk D*	Freestyle
18	Buju Banton	Freestyle
19	Born Jamericans	Freestyle
20	Daddy O.*	Freestyle
21	MC Eiht	Freestyle
22	Kool G. Rap*	Freestyle
23	Alkaholiks*	Freestyle
24	Maestro Fresh Wes*	Freestyle
25	Black Moon	Freestyle
26	Serch*	Freestyle
27	Nas	Freestyle
28	Jamal-Ski*	Freestyle
29	Crash Man*	Freestyle
30	Dred Scott	Freestyle
31	Kurious	Freestyle
32	Bobbito	Freestyle
33	Yaggfu Front	Freestyle
34	Motion Man & Evol (3)	Freestyle

Vol 2 http://sharebee.com/2003b2c9
1. Warning/Anthem

	2.	Doug E. Fresh
	3.	Born Allah & Kool G. Rap
	4.	Mykill Miers & Arrogant
	5.	Wake Up Show Anthem-Mexakinz
	6.	Born Jamericans
	7.	KRS One, Chino XL & Ras Kass
	8.	Tony Tiger
	9.	Ras Kass, Mykill Miers & KRS One
	10.	Boot Camp Clik-Wake Up Show Anthem #2
	11.	Born Allah-Wake Up Show Anthem #2
	12.	Mykill Miers & O.C.
	13.	Ugo, Saafir & Mad One
	14.	Ras Kass
	15.	Ahmad
	16.	Supernatural
	17.	King Just & Mad One
	18.	Wu Tang Clan-Wake Up Show Anthem #4
	19.	Def Jef & Voodoo
	20.	Coolio & Ras Kass
	21.	Voodoo & Ed Lover
	22.	Phone Call & Special Ed
	23.	Alkaholiks & Xzibit
	24.	Arrogant
	25.	Casual, Saafir & Tajai
	26.	Interlude & AZ
	27.	Mystikal, Snaggie Puss & Phil Da Agony
	28.	Fugees & DJ Qbert
	29.	Outro-We'll Be Right Back - (take 6)

I loved these Freestyles back in the day. I had a bunch of tapes I bought from Tapekingz or something like that in the day with a bunch of them. Then these started coming out on CD. I had a couple but lord knows where they are today. I've seen all nine or ten of these on a blog somewhere else before if someone was gung ho on collecting all of them, they are out there as is just about anything else your heart desires is.

November 16, Hastings on Boise Ave

Black Sheep - Non Fiction (Mercury, 1994) $4.99 (Clean Version)

1		Non-Fiction Intro (1:27)
2		Autobiographical (5:30)
3		B.B.S. (4:04)
		Vocals - Emage
4		City Lights (4:08)
5		Do Your Thing (5:23)
6		E.F.F.E.C.T. (4:48)
		Featuring - Showbiz & A.G.
7		Freak Y' All (4:54)
		Vocals - Chi-Ali
8		Gotta Get Up (4:49)
9		Let's Get Cozy (4:09)
10		Me & My Brother (4:29)
11		North South East West (3:44)
12		Peace to the Niggas (4:44)
13		Summa Tha Time (4:37)
		Vocals - Emage , Michelle Valentine
14		We Boys (5:54)
		Featuring - Legion, The
15		Who's Next? (5:24)
		Featuring - Sweet T
16		Without A Doubt (4:06)
17		Non-Fiction Outro (2:32)

I rarely ever take an album back if I don't like it, but the Black Sheep's sophomore album was one of those I did take back after taking one listen. Not sure if I just wasn't able to enjoy something like this album back then or if I was just so caught off guard by the complete 180 degree change they possessed on this album from their debut, but I wasn't feeling it in the least. After downloading it again a year or two ago and listening to it, it's not all that bad. The lead single "Without A Doubt" is quite possibly one of my favorite joints from the 90's and the rest of the album just showcases a more mature effort from the Sheep.

The Almighty RSO - Revenge of da Badd Boyz (RCA, 1994)
$2.99

1		Hellbound (The RSO Saga Part 2) (5:34)
2		Revenge Of Da Badd Boyz (4:02)
3		One Of Those Nightz (3:51)
		Featuring - Freddie Foxxx
4		One In The Chamba (The RSO Saga Part 1) (5:08)
5		Out On Parole (Time To Flip) (1:00)
		Vocals - Wild Juvenile ROCK, The
6		5 Minutes Of Doom (Comin' From The Legion) (5:27)
		Featuring - Beef (2) , Big Roscoe & Mody , Buddha Man , Kool Gsus* , Fly Ty , Mass Murderer Mike & ACE , Tangg The Juice

I have never been a big fan of Benzino, even prior to learning of what a dickhead he is with the whole Source and Eminem beef. Needless to say, I've never owned any of the his group or solo material in the past. I did, however, like "One In Tha Chamber", which was quite popular when it first dropped, being found in The Source's "Sure Shot Singles" list, which looking back on it now, probably isn't that much of a surprise after finding out what happened there. This disc can be had for a shiny new penny on Amazon.

Chief Groovy Loo & The Chosen Tribe (Wrap, 1993) $1.99

1		Shades Of Black
2		I Love New York
3		Ripe For The Pickin'
		Producer - Greg Morse
4		My Mamma Told Me
5		MC's Got Nuttin' On Loo (Remix)
6		Ghetto Mac
7		When I Rhyme
		Producer - Kerwin "Sleek" Young* , Paul Shabazz
8		Do The Things You Do
		Producer - Richard Bush
9		I Need A Job
10		Chief Groovy Loo Meets The Press
		Producer - Michael Gypsie Ammino*
11		Got 'Em Running Scared
12		Just Chill
13		Enemy

Most P.E. fans should recognize this group when they appeared on Terminator X's debut solo album. This album is certainly full of originality, but that doesn't always mean it's good. It was executive produced by the Chuckster himself, but this is kind of an inconsistent release.

Sleestackz - Behind The Iron Curtain (Ichiban, 1997)

1. Intro (0:38)
2. All You Want (3:22)
3. Crystal Clear [Morning Blunt Mix] (5:33)
4. X-Files (3:55)
5. Bulletproof Shoutouts (2:32)
6. Ruination (4:45)
7. Murderlize (0:49)
8. Raw Raps (4:28)
9. Live Hardknox (3:27)
10. Word to the Wise (1:45)
11. Wealth & Real Estate (3:47)
12. Troublez & Trialz (3:07)
13. Satisfaction (0:42)
14. Kings of Kaos (3:43)
15. Play the Victim (3:29)
16. Aqua (1:02)
17. Crystal Clear [Rusty Water Mix] (4:56)
18. Behind the Iron Curtain (5:40)

This was a CD I bought one day when I couldn't find anything else that I didn't either have already or wouldn't buy no matter what. I had never heard of them, but snatched up regardless. I ended up liking the album but would lose it about three months after purchasing it and never saw it again. Found it on a blog earlier this year and listened to it quite a bit. Regardless when I saw it sitting in the used bin, I snatched it up with the quickness.

The Flip Squad All Star DJ's - Self Titled (MCA, 1998) $1.99

1. The Things I Do - Doo Wop
2. Seriously - Funkmaster Flex
3. Turntables - Mark Ronson
4. Members Only - Doo Wop
5. Only Time You Love 'Em - Mark Ronson
6. It's Da Biz - Biz Markie
7. Fa Reel - Big Gap
8. Get Tough '98 - Cipha Sounds
9. Villian Guys - DJ Enuff, Jiv Pos
10. Biz And Candy - Biz Markie
11. Because - Big Kap
12. Shoo - DJ Enuff, Jiv Pos
13. How Ya Like Us Now - Mister Cee

I've always been curious about this album every since it came out, but I have never listened to it. It's full of who's who DJ's and artists, with the likes of Funkmaster Flex, Doo Wop, Mark Ronson, Big Kap, Biz Markie, DJ Enuff and Mister Cee all a part of the the crew. I don't recall any major singles coming from this, although the first track "The Things I Do" made a little noise. I can't say that this was great in anyway, but at least my curiosity is quenched.

November 20, Record Exchange

The Record Exchange is my all-time favorite music store ANYWHERE. I've been going to the stores since I was in the 8th grade. They are a little more expensive, but I'd rather support a local mom & pop store that have helped me find most anything I've ever looked for (except that damn Blu & Exile album) than a Best Buy or some shit like that. My first time walking back into the store, the owner, John who has owned it since the beginning as far as I know, might as well did cartwheels across the store. He remembered me right away and knows that I spend a lot of money in the store. It's like any other typical independent record store I've ever been in. Tons of shit on the walls, the smell of CD's and vinyl, weird music playing over the sound system, quite possibly one of my favorite places on earth.

Porn Theater Ushers - Sloppy Seconds (Biscuithead Recordings, 2000) $7.99

1		Balloon Knots (2:59)
		Featuring - Cage
2		Girls Sweat Me (3:38)
3		Blah, Blah, Blah (2:45)
4		Duck Hunt (2:36)
5		Oozing Pestilence (2:43)
6		Far Out (3:47)
7		Bug Men (3:16)
		Featuring - K-No Supreme
8		Catnip (3:58)
9		My Imagination (4:08)
10		Me & Him (3:50)

The Porn Theater Ushers are probably my all-time favorite name for a hip hop group. I giggle like a seven year old that heard his first fart joke every time I here the name. I've used it several times in fantasy sports leagues. The group's music is also good and contains the same humor that can be found with a group name like "Porn Theater Ushers". The production, handled by Mister Jason, is addictive as well. I always thought it was unfortunate that these guys didn't blow up like they could have. Lead MC Nabo Rawk is on the solo tip and released an album this year (2007).

Above The Law - Black Mafia Life (Ruthless, 1992) $5.99

1		Black Triange (1:50)
2		Never Missin' A Beat (6:58)
3		Why Must I Feel Like That (4:08)
4		Commin' Up (5:21)
5		Pimpology 101 (4:04)
6		Call It What You Want (4:33)
		Featuring - 2Pac , Money B (2)
7		Harda U R Tha Doppa U Faal (4:49)
8		Game Wreck-Oniz-Iz Game (5:12)
		Featuring - Eazy-E , Kokane
9		Pimp Clinic (6:20)
10		V.S.O.P. (4:49)
		Scratches - Poet H.B.
11		Process Of Elimination (Untouchakickamurdaqtion) (5:56)
		Featuring - MC Ren
12		G's & Macaronies (4:04)
13		G-rupies Best Friend (5:30)
		Featuring - Kokane
14		Mee Vs. My Ego (5:20)
15		Outro (2:21)

Above the Law has to be one of the best west coast groups in my book. Their debut album is a classic in my book and their sophomore LP (notice I said LP and not EP) is just a tad bit below their classic debut opus, but still damn good in its own right. Own this bad boy on tape, but had to upgrade it to a CD at least.

Digital Underground - This is a EP Release (Tommy Boy, 1991)
$6.99

1		Same Song (6:29)
		Keyboards - Piano Man, The (2) Producer - Digital Underground Vocals - 2Pac , Humpty Hump , Junie Morrison , Money B (2) , Schmoovy Schmoov , Shock G
2		Tie The Knot (3:13)
		Producer - Digital Underground Vocals - Humpty Hump , Kent Racker , Money B (2) , Shock G
3		The Way We Swing (Remix) (4:58)
		Producer - Shock G Sample Arrangements - Piano Man, The (2) Vocals - 2Pac , MC Blowfish , Money B (2) , Shock G
4		Nuttin' Nis Funky (9:41)
		Producer - MC Blowfish , Piano Man, The (2) Scratches - DJ Fuze (2) Vocals - Bigg Money Odis , Humpty Hump , Schmoovy Schmoov , Shock G
5		Packet Man (Worth A Packet Remix) (4:58)
		Producer - Underground, The (2) Remix - CJ Mackintosh Vocals - Humpty Hump , Shock G
6		Arguin' On The Funk (3:50)
		Producer - Raw Fusion , Underground, The (2) Vocals - Humpty Hump , Money B (2) , Shock G

I've always been a fan of Digital Underground and have most of their material already. I do own this on tape, but I couldn't tell you the last time I listened to a tape. That had to change. It cost a little more than I'd like to spend on an EP, but hey, it's Digital Underground.

Souls Of Mischief - 93 Til Infinity (Jive, 1993)
$7.99

I could easily have my expert internet hip hop pass revoked for not owning this already, I realize this. I did own it at one time, bought it the day it was released, but as with a lot of things I've owned over time, it disappeared. What can say about this album that hasn't been said before or that you don't already know about? I was under the impression that this was out of print, but apparently its not. That goes against my rules of posting up in print material, but I'll let this one slide this time, but I won't post up the DOC, Cypress Hill and LL Cool J debut albums that I picked up at the same time as well. Plus you should all have those by now.

1		Let 'Em Know (4:14)
		Producer - Domino (3)
2		Live And Let Live (5:20)
		Producer - Domino (3) Trumpet - Bill Ortiz
3		Thats When Ya Lost (3:35)
		Featuring - Pep Love Producer - Del Tha Funkee Homosapien Scratches - A-Plus
4		A Name I Call Myself (4:11)
		Producer - Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
5		Disseshowedo (3:59)
		Producer - Domino (3) , Jay-Biz Scratches - A-Plus
6		What A Way To Go Out (4:00)
		Additional Vocals - Casual Producer - Domino (3) Scratches - A-Plus
7		Never No More (3:41)
		Producer - A-Plus
8		93 'Til Infinity (4:46)
		Producer - A-Plus
9		Limitations (3:23)
		Featuring - Casual , Del Tha Funkee Homosapien Producer - Jay-Biz
10		Anything Can Happen (3:26)
		Producer - A-Plus
11		Make Your Mind Up (3:51)
		Producer - Del Tha Funkee Homosapien Scratches - A-Plus
12		Batting Practice (4:04)
		Background Vocals - Casual , Domino (3) , Jay-Biz , Kwam , Pep Love , Snupe Producer - Casual
13		Tell Me Who Profits (4:04)
		Producer - Casual
14		Outro (2:04)
		Producer - Domino (3)

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