Welcome, gentle reader, to part three of our further foray into low fidelity, as we delve ever deeper into the hallowed, hissy halls of cassingle history. Today we’ll keep it short and sweet with a couple of loose gemstones from once upon a time. So let’s put on our seat belts, don our protective headgear, and set the dial on the way-back machine for 1995. All strapped in? Then press the big red button, and we’re off! Wait, not that big red button!! Noooooooo!!!!

Well, that was quite a ride. Despite some minor turbulence, we seem to have arrived at our destination. The year is 1995. The cassingle? The D&D Project “Freestyle Sampler”. You may already know the D&D Studios story: NYC rap-recording-facility, home to countless classic sessions…for a number of years DJ Premier was essentially its in-house producer. It has since gone out of business, been purchased by Premier, and reopened as HeadQcourterz Studios–that’s some crazy spelling, son–but in 1995, the studio released a full-length album on Arista (this was before D&D Studios transformed into D&D Records and started releasing it’s own shit) called “The D&D Project”. The album featured a number of artists associated with (and of course recording in) the D&D facilities. And what better way for a street-savvy studio to get some recognition than to release a cool and crispy cassingle!

Full disclosure: I am not able to listen to this tape. No, that’s not a reflection on its quality. Far from it. It’s just that it broke. I broke it. It’s broken. My machine ate it. All I have left are the memories…well, those, and the actual records that this cassingle was advertising. So it’s those records I’ll reference here, since my sweet cassette will never sing again.

Yes, this was a snippet tape (if I recall). Yes, it had bits and pieces of cuts from artists such as N-Tense, II Unorthodox, and Ill Breed (I’m sure you’ve totally heard of all of them). It also featured a standout performance from one-time Jay-Z “mentor” Big Jaz…and remember, this is 1995 BH (Before Hove). When I first heard the “Dead Presidents” 12-inch in ‘96, ignorant of the connection between the two rappers, my initial impression was that this dude Jay-Z was kinda biting the flow Jaz uses on his D&D song “Stone to the Bone”…I almost thought they were the same guy (the names are pretty close, you gotta admit). Listen for yourself and see.

At any rate, what truly set this cassingle apart is hinted at in its title. The key word here is “freestyle”, and that’s just what these artists did. After a snippet of their respective album-cuts, each artist proceeds to freestyle over their beat, some for what seems like a couple of minutes (I’m looking at you, II Unorthodox…it’s cool that you can rap while simultaneously doing impressions and all–your Sammy Davis Jr. is excellent, one of the 300 best I’ve heard–but enough is enough). The results, like many true freestyles, are uneven but entertaining, providing some shining moments here and there. The beat selection, with its classic mid-90’s sound, doesn’t hurt. True, Premier himself produced only one song for the D&D Project (and that song–an all-star posse cut called “1,2 Pass It” featuring Mad Lion, Doug E. Fresh, KRS-One, Fat Joe, Smif-N-Wessun & Jeru the Damaja–isn’t even listed on this cassingle…but it got it’s own 12-inch release, complete with a ridicu-hot remix over yet another Premo beat…so I guess he produced two songs, technically). But the short list of other producers on this project ain’t too shabby…Diamond D, the Beatminerz, 45 King. Even KRS-One and Guru (Guru?) made beats for this one. That’s a lot of talent right there, especially in ‘95. That said, the Big Jaz song is really the one to watch for…if you managed to get that, the “1,2 Pass It” 12-inch, and maybe the II Unorthodox song for the novelty factor (and the hot Issac Hayes “Look of Love” beat), you’d have the best of the bunch. But you wouldn’t have the freestyles…and for that, you gotta get this cassingle, Kris Kringle. If anyone out there still has a working copy and can clarify, confirm, or correct any of the above, please don’t hesitate to holler.

Now, how could we possibly follow that up? Well, before we come back home to 2008, let’s stop off in 1997 for a visit to a little label called Loud. Ten-plus years ago, Loud Records was on top of the world with an enviable roster including Wu-Tang Clan, the Alkaholiks, Big Pun, Dead Prez, Xzibit, Mobb Deep, and more. Look at those names again. All on the same label, all at one time. Damn. Many of these artists released their best material on Loud (just my opinion, but, c’mon, really…check the discography if you doubt me–http://www.discogs.com/label/Loud+Records). “36 Chambers”, “The Infamous”, “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx”, “21 & Over”…these are among the best hip-hop albums of all time.

The point is, when Loud dropped a cassingle called “The Set-Up” back in nine-seven, heads (or is that headz?) turned. Overall, I wasn’t mad at this sampler of full-length selections. In fact, with 11 cuts on one cassette, this is more like a compilation album. Both sides, entitled “Rising” and “Shining”, have weak spots, but the highs more than make up for the lows.

Let’s look at the track listing, shall we?

“Rising” (Side 1):

Big Punisher–You Ain’t a Killer…classic Pun. You know this one. It was a 12-inch off his debut “Capital Punishment”. Sets the tape off right. Pun was so dope. Even just reading the lyrics (look ‘em up on Google, doofus, I ain’t doin’ it for you), you can practically hear him flow. Killing it. New rappers take note…

Davina–So Good…it ain’t the version with Raekwon, either. I say not so good. For those who hate R & B singing over rap beats, just know that the same shit was going down back in the good old days. You gotta dodge these bullets, son. This one isn’t fatal, though, since the hot “Django” sample (sounds like the Modern Jazz Quartet version, but I’m not sure) makes up for the fact that there’s no rap on this beat.

Dead Prez. [they put the period there, not me]–Food, Clothes, and Shelter…this song is dope. The beat is almost pretty, the material is anything but. Thought-provoking as always, Dead Prez hadn’t yet blown up with “It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop” when this joint dropped. I think the song may be exclusive to this tape…it’s not on their first album, it’s not the “part 2″ they did later for that one mixtape. But whatever it is, it’s hot beans, chico.

The Dwellas–The Main Aim…I never liked this track. It’s not terrible, the beat is alright…but it’s not as hot as some of the other shit on this tape, so, you know. It got lost in the shuffle. You might like it, though.

Aasim D’Xpicit [actually "D'Xplicit", but whatever]–Fly Shit…I didn’t know who this was back then, and I don’t really know now. Nonetheless, this song is dope. Another rugged but pretty beat (one of my favorite types, fairly common back then), ill lines like “My whole fortress/Seen the god of reason paint portraits/Lyrical forces/Four horses horsemen offense”…or something like that. Track it down if you can. Someone loaded it onto YouTube (and that Dead Prez song, too), so check it out there for now.

“Shining” (Side 2):

Chef Raekwon [That's how it's listed]–Wu Gambinos (Hidden Chamber)…the “Hidden Chamber Remix” of “Wu-Gambinos” (I think the hyphen should be there), sometimes known as the “Shaolin Remix”, is one of the classic remixes of this era, just as dope as the original. And the original was one of the best posse cuts out. This song is notable for being the first example of RZA’s switch to a more wordy, polysyllabic flow than he’d previously rocked, and he never did it better than here: “Local bio-chemical/Universal giant, the black general/Lickin’ shots like Davy Crockett on the Bicentennial!” Everyone comes nice on “Wu-Gambinos”. Well, except Master Killer. Whose nickname for this one is “Noodles”. They yell it out at the beginning. And so do I, every time I hear this track. Noodles!

The Likx [creative spelling on this here cassingle, eh?] feat. ODB–Hip-Hop Drunkies…one of the last great songs the Alkaholiks ever did, and a top-notch performance from Big Baby Jesus as well. This song is retarded (in the best way possible). Go watch the video for “The Symphony” (Juice Crew forever) to see where they got this beat (including the “glass” sound). Then go watch the video for this song, featuring an ODB body-double. And remember when rap music was fun.

Mobb Deep–In the Long Run…not their best, not their worst, features Ty Nitty. Surprisingly, this cut contains a Keith Murray dis…remember that beef? It also has high-quality lines from Prodigy such as “You almost got shot, but that’s alright, though/I’ma catch your ass again, you fuckin’ immigrant”…wait, what does “high-quality” mean again? Anyway, this is some “strictly thug” shit…at least, according to the dude on the outro.

Yvette Michele–I’m Not Feeling You…more singing. You know what I’m not feeling? This song. It’s not how I would have followed up that Mobb Deep track (I would have used either some soothing world music, or a field-recording of illegal dogfights…or maybe a rap song). Still, “I’m Not Feeling You” has a kernel of hidden genius. If you sit through all the verses and choruses (and there’s a lot), you will be rewarded with this closing monologue, spoken by Ms. Michele:

“Hey baby, yeah I’m alright, how you feeling?
Come inside, yeah, come in, close the door behind you
Yeah, I know, I’m home a little early from work today
Yeah, you miss me baby?
Yeah? I missed you too
I missed you so much I followed you today
Uh huh, yo son, yo son, don’t raise up son, chill
Sit down, son, I’m talking to you
But I’m saying, though
Don’t deny it, I saw you
I saw you with your alcoholic secretary
The one with the bad feet
Walking, holding her hand
Playing yourself as usual
And you know you are known for playing yourself
Instead of holding her hand
You shoulda been putting some lotion on them crusty feet she got
But anyway, I ain’t gonna stress that
It’s all good
You know your man Big Mike?
Yeah, the first round draft pick, Big Mike
I know you know him as Mike
But I call him Big Mike
Yeah, why you got your mouth open, boo? Close your mouth!
‘Cuz see, he’s feeling me
And I am not feeling you…”

Wow. All I can say is, thanks Yvette. It was worth it. Now compare and contrast this monologue to that of Oran “Juice” Jones in “The Rain”. Be prepared to discuss.

Xzibit–At the Speed of Life…a dope song from a dope album. Before he did cuts with Dre or hosted “Pimp My Ride”, Xzibit was known as a friend of the Alkaholiks (who themselves were once known as friends of King Tee). But with this album he proved he could stand on his own two. If you don’t already have it, cop this CD. “Papparazzi”, “The Foundation”, “Plastic Surgery” (with Ras Kass and Saafir)…joints!! And the song featured on this cassingle is another one. Pimp my tape!

Sadat X–Game Sober…this song guest-stars the Money Boss Players. Get excited, Minnesota fans! A decent cut to round out this collection.The beat is fresh, Sadat’s voice is tight as always…I mean, it’s not Brand Nubian, but it has some memorable lines, and posse cuts are always worth a spin. This is the type of song you might use as filler on a mixtape (or on a cassingle sampler…hey!), but then you would grow to love it after you heard it a few times. “All your rhymes sound like a car commercial…” Dope.

Well, I hope you enjoyed our last stop. All in all, I think you’ll agree that Loud came through with a banger. I recommend picking this tape up the next time you are back in 1997. And while you’re there, tell Biggie to duck. But for now, it’s time to go back…to the future!

Whew!…2008 at last. There’s no place like home. But stay tuned for another exciting installment of “Back in the Day: Cassingles”. The way-back machine will ride again!

See you then…

I let my tape rock ’til my tape popped,

Grip Grand

Posted by Grip Grand on Friday, January 11th, 2008 at 9:01 pm.