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#rewindreview: Boogiemonsters ‘Riders Of The Storm: The Underwater Album’ 1994

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  When we were buying physical recordings of albums there would often be those purchases that were not perfect but they might be one of your favorite albums to listen to. This was ‘Riders Of The Storm’ for me. In the summer of 1994 I discovered The Boogiemonsters during one of the many moments I tried to position the antenna on my T.V. to pick up the fabled Video Juke Box. This was a platform that required viewers to dial in a request for music videos. Although I never made any request it provided me with exposure to many new acts at the time. ‘Recognized Thresholds Of Negative Stress’ was not only a mouth full of a title for a song but also had a very annoying or captivating hook. In 1994 the whole song was different and these voices were fresh with ideas and energy. The album would present more of the same but over the years I have come to the realization that there was a common theme behind the songs. Recently there was an article asking was this a “Christian Rap album?” Something that never dawned on me as I was always taken by the music but did catch the meaning behind songs like ‘Mark Of The Beast’ and the almost gospel like vibe of the title track. As HOP music went back then, there was going to be positive and inspiring lyrics with certain groups so I always took their mentioning of certain religious references as just a part of their music. Boogiemonsters had a good thing going with this record because rarely did it ever get boring but maybe the pace would slow down on ‘Muzic Appreciation…’ and ‘Salt Water Taffy…’ but would pick right up with a track like ‘Honeydips In Gotham;’ which was relatable to young men searching for the opposite sex during those days. The song that has to be the most talked about, and at the time odd but impactful is ‘Old Man Jacob’s Well.’ This was a song about child abduction and although I was fourteen at the time it creeped me out and reminded me of the days when television movies like ‘Adam’ warned children to stay away from strangers. The unique thing about the song was it comes from the perspective of the abductor and how his motivation was not malice but as natural as a predator in the wild. The Jimi Hendrix-esque guitar rifts in the music drove the track home and really leaves an imprint on the listener but this also why ‘Riders Of The Storm’ is such a cultural hit for those that know. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Recognized Thresholds Of Negative Stress,’ ‘Honeydips In Gotham’ & ‘Strange’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: Chill Rob G. ‘Ride The Rhythm’ 1990

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  The name Chill Rob G. should be a familiar name if one has been a hip-hop head for years pre-internet. One of his biggest moments was the song ‘The Power’ which was one of the biggest pop hits in 1990 only it was from a group called SNAP but it was Chill Rob G.’s song…. and well you’ll have to due some studying on that. Throughout the years I have always heard tracks on this album but it wasn’t until last month that I finally got around to hearing ‘Ride The Rhythm’ in full. With the untimely death of Mark The 45 King, I was reminded to finally hear this album produced entirely by the now deceased legend. ‘Ride The Rhythm’ was released on Wild Pitch records which was kind of like an early Rawkus records in that the releases were never about “fluff” and true to an emerging HOP sound and demographic at the time. Chill Rob G. had the quintessential voice and style of HOP for this era which included battle rhymes, story-telling and conscious raps to open the ideas and minds of young listeners. ‘Court Is Now In Session’ is the track I most knew him for which takes personal accountability, the legal system and police brutality to task. ‘Bad Dreams’ finds the “future shock” rapper going through one’s P.T.S.D. scenarios of urban living while sleeping. Although Chill Rob G. can keep it very serious over these up-tempo beats by Mark The 45 King he provides plenty of moments of showing his reason for being a top prospect on the mic for that era. The title track of this album is probably my favorite and is one of the few tracks I’ve heard over the years. ‘Ride The Rhythm’ is infectious and ‘Hard Times’ by Baby Huey is sampled perfectly by Mark The 45 King, providing a blueprint to how the sample would be utilized by other artist later on. ‘Ride The Rhythm’ as an album is not perfect but does have it’s place in the pantheon of the HOP’s second generation and influence on where the music would go. Rest in beats to the architect of this albums music D.J. Mark The 45 King. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Dope Rhymes,’ ‘Court Is Now In Session,’ ‘The Power’ & ‘Let Me Show You’   Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: Polyrhythm Addicts ‘Rhyme Related’ EP 1999

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  The day I purchased this release in the summer of 1999 I also purchased Lootpack’s ‘Soundpieces: Da Antidote’ so needless to say my ears were beyond satisfied. Polyrhythm Addicts was a collaboration similar to Black Star, where individual M.C.’s teamed up to create a supergroup. Apani B. Fly Emcee, Mr. Complex & Shabaam Sahdeeq made for the core rappers while beats were all provided by D.J. Spinna. For me none of these names could do no wrong going into this EP. ALL OF THEM had shaped my HOP perspective by 1999 with independent 12″ singles, features and songs that never left me unsatisfied. The collaboration of all four was icing on a cake that audiences unfortunately would never get to taste again. Polyrhythm Addicts was yet another example of how dynamics in groups from the yesteryears of HOP music were critical to why those were the best of times. Shabaam Sahdeeq was the marksmen shooter with his lyrics, while Apani provided the voice and delivery that was so perfect for the texture of this release and Mr. Complex’s abstract style of rhyming makes the group “not your ordinary.” Add on D.J. Spinna who by the late 1990’s was in a zone unmatched with his production. From beginning to end ‘Rhyme Related’ never let’s up. ‘Take Me Home’ which has one of the few features on this album with Pharoahe Monch reminds me of the summer season this EP came out in. The previously released ‘Not Your Ordinary’ fits perfectly after that with D.J. Spinna’s signature sound. Songs like ‘Should Have Known Better’ and ‘Nervous Breakdown’ capture the synergy of the M.C.’s like an updated Funky Four Plus One. It is ‘Big Phat Boom’ that hits the soul though. With dreamy production from D.J. Spinna and a vocal sample from Q-Tip proclaiming the name of the group “Polyrhythm Addicts…,” Apani solidified her rankings with me as an M.C. on this track. If ever there is a question as to why she is one of my favorite women rappers, her lead off on ‘Big Phat Boom’ is a small sample to why. I could go on about this EP but it’s downfall is that it was only an “EP” not an album. The impact this release could have made as an album with a few more songs is a ‘What If…’ moment for me and although a full album from the group released eight years later, it was missing a key element in Apani B. Fly. This is still one of my favorite listens and much like a rare diamond, I try to appreciate ‘Rhyme Related’ as such. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Not Your Ordinary’ & ‘Motion 2000’   Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: Wildchild ‘Secondary Protocol’ 2003

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  In “the year of the Mad,” often referred to as 2003 by many underground HOP heads, we got a slew of Madlib produced or adjacent albums. Wildchild who is one third of the Lootpack along with Madlib and D.J. Romes, tried to satisfy the urge fans were left with, after the debut album from the group ‘Soundpieces: The Antidote.’ Initially it took myself a while to get into this album as The Lootpack record made such an impact but also it was coming to terms that Madlib himself was changing his production style. When you add those two things up, my expectation of what beats I wanted to hear Wildchild over in 2003 felt disappointing. Time passes though and over the years this album has grown on me tremendously. It is more uptempo and a “teaser trailer” for the sound from the West Coast’s most underrated artist and albums that would follow. Wildchild was blessed to know the “Jackson Brothers” which is Oh No and Madlib. A whole album strictly produced by those two are like acquiring Willy Wonka’s golden ticket during the mid to late 2000’s. Wildchild utilize the two to craft a fun yet “edutainment” filled record. There are moments of rapping for the sake of it but a few teachable moments like ‘Kiana’ which is an ode to his daughter and the importance of father’s in the home. The only visual single the ‘Wonder Years’ aims to tell the listener to appreciate and not take for granted the good times we have. ‘Secondary Protocol’ really tries to break the stereotype at the time, that underground hip-hop music was not for partying and always serious and this might have been my original disconnect. Wildchild really created an album that if in a different multi-verse where the music industry uplifted actual music rather than relationships, ‘Secondary Protocol’ would have had tracks in radio and music video rotation. Instead it is still an album for those of us who are fans and for others to discover. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Wonder Years’ & ‘Knicknack 2002’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: ChronILLogical ‘Rhyme And Reason’ 2020

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  The recent pandemic might have been the worst and most odd thing many of us have or will experience in our lifetime but it made a space for creatives to sit down and focus. A lot of music came out from people we haven’t heard from in a while. Enter the M.C., producer duo ChronILLogical from #HUEston consisting of Stress and D.J. Gonz. This EP is almost twenty minutes of grassroots HOP with command able rhymes from Stress and tough headnod beats from D.J. Gonz. I’ve known Stress for about twenty years on the Houston hip-hop scene and one thing I can say is in the “2020’s” his voice and skill have not rusted. Always a true M.C. and on ‘Rhyme And Reason’ he continues to display it with vivid lyrics of dedication to rapping, staying focused on goals and awareness of fake individuals. D.J. Gonz creates a couple of jazzy but hardcore beats that have a flare to how it was mixed, thus making Stress’ voice and beats blend perfectly. You can find Stress keeping his skills sharp with the Certain.Ones crew but if one wants to focus on him as an M.C. stay in ChronILLogical order here. What did you think of the album? Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: Alcynoos, Parental & Loop.Holes ‘Rewind’ 2023

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  This album truly touches the HOP audience familiar with instrumental releases from Alcynoos, Parental and Loop.Holes as individuals and as a collective. All three are from overseas with Alcynoos and Parental from France and the Loop.Holes crew from Norway. They team up to deliver a cool out album with a collection of some of the best M.C.’s in the past twenty years. ‘Rewind’ does exactly as it’s title and takes the listener back to a familiar sound of jazzy beats and rapping. ‘Belafonte’ featuring Ill Conscious, Venomous 2000 and Debonair P is the best example of what to expect on this album. ‘Rewind’ not only focuses on rapping and beats but also allows the element of D.J.’ing in HOP music to be focused on too. There is also a “who’s who” of names on this album if you really know your HOP music beneath the surface. Yancy Boys who consist of Jay Dee a.k.a. J-Dilla’s brother Illa J. and Frank Nitt have one of my favorite tracks on here called ‘Stocks Up.’ It’s moody, it’s chill and metaphorically puts life’s ills into a description of the Stock Markets movements. Alcynoos, Parental & Loop.Holes make sure that the audience is engaged on ‘Rewind’ and that the M.C.’s voices are just as an important instrument as the ones they used to craft ‘Rewind.’ What did you think of the album? Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: J-Live ‘Reveal The Secret’ EP 2007

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  There was this very underrated and unmistakable hit on D.J. Jazzy Jeff’s ‘The Return Of The Magnificent’ album called ‘Practice.’ This track featured the M.C’s M.C. J-Live and sampled one of Allen Iverson’s most famous media outtakes where he proclaimed that action as something he could do in his sleep. Fans of underground music and sports were extremely receptive to this song but had it actually had the machine behind it, J-Live could have been in another tax bracket with audience ears. Going off the momentum of that track and preparing his next release with BBE records was the ‘Reveal The Secret’ EP. A six track release that featured production from certified “beatsmiths” such as Marco Polo, D.J. Spinna, Oddisee, Mr. Walt (Beatminerz) and of course the aforementioned D.J. Jazzy Jeff. J-Live gets back to the HOP music fans love to hear from him on this release featuring his unique form of storytelling and overall presence on the microphone. By 2007 J-Live understood the effect of putting out EP’s to test the waters and once one is on the last track of ‘Reveal The Secret’ they are yearning for more. Break your neck and sing along to this often forgotten gem from a real M.C.! What did you think of the album? Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: Ol’ Dirty Bastard ‘Return To The 36 Chambers’ (1995)

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  The reign of Wu-Tang Clan is comparable to lightning in a bottle. No matter how many may want to try and duplicate or say that it has happened outside of them, it simply has not. Rapping talent aside, the personalities involved in the original nine we might have took for granted while living in it but this was a unique moment. After “The Clan” dropped their debut album, solo acts began to drop as well. Method Man would come out of the gate first with ‘Tical’ but in that same year Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s first single ‘Brooklyn Zoo’ menaced the streets. I was introduced to the song by the video and the look of the visuals and song itself were a perfect combination. This highlighted the personality of “ODB” and set the tone for what to expect on his album. ‘Return Of To The 36 Chambers’ is so raw in it’s approach that I believe had “Ol’ Dirty..” not been associated with Wu-Tang Clan, this album would not be remembered or even released. This might sound like a wild take but the album is everywhere and by the standards set with HOP albums during this time it broke all the rules. The intro is almost 5 minutes of no song while actual songs almost sound like interludes or as though they were off “the cutting room floor.” Ol’ Dirty Bastard is not the most lyrical and songs are mainly just freestyles which unlike the urban myths created for his Brooklyn contemporaries, Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z, I believe “Dirt Dawg” couldn’t have had these raps written down. The reason the album works is because it has such memorable moments and outrageous quotes. R.Z.A. knew what worked for Ol’ Dirty Bastard and the best way to display his personality was to allow him the freedom to be so “anti..” that it became a new standard. The single ‘Shimmy Shimmy Ya’ dropped after the album was released and the video made one hear the song on the album with different ears. ODB might have been the rawest and most unfocused of The Clan but he was definitely the most dynamic one at that time. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Brooklyn Zoo’ & ‘Shimmy Shimmy Ya’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: The Micranots ‘Return Of The Travellahs’ (1996)

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  The 2000’s decade saw a lot of independent releases as full albums and not just 12 inch vinyl singles. The ability to create a distribute whole albums was much easier than it was in the previous decade. This caused many artist like J-Live, Nas, Juggaknots to name a few, to release previous works that were never available on Compact Disc format. The Micranots who were a two man group out of Minneapolis M.N. made a mark with their ‘Obelisk Movements’ album from the year 2000, so it was simple mathematics for them to capitalize on the fans they had gathered from that release and provide those fans with what they might have missed. ‘Return Of The Travellahs’ was the debut album from The Micranots but this was only available on cassette tape so if you were not a day one fan of the group or possibly in the studio with them creating this, it was more than likely missed. Re-released on CD in the year 2003, listeners got to hear the progression in the groups creativity as compared to later releases. The songs seem to be recorded between at least 1994 through 1996. I Self Divine who is the M.C. of the group drops a few gems on these songs but for the most part it is a “freestyle” of ideas and rhymes. Kool Akiem Allah provides the beats which carry the classic sound of the mid-1990’s, taking the listeners on a journey of that time in HOP music. This album is really for collectors and true fans of The Micranots. It might not serve to create new listeners as one would have to understand the challenges it took to put out music in a pre-easy accessible, internet world. For those that need something to bop your head to on a fall Saturday, this one’s for you. What did you think of the album? Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: Pete Rock ‘Return Of The SP1200’ (2019)

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  It’s 2019 and why not get a collection of past beats made on an SP1200 from the legendary Pete Rock. After starting the trend of putting out instrumental HOP albums on 2001’s ‘Petestrumentals,’ “PR” knows there is an audience that wants to hear that classic sound from him. On ‘Return Of The SP1200’ the audience will recognize a few familiar tunes of the past that were used, never officially came out, or have recently been resurrected. The Meccalicious heater ‘How You Feel’ is the beat for ‘Hope You World Don’t Stop,’ while we get the instrumental for the Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s ‘Death Becomes You’ off the ‘Menace II Society’ soundtrack. There is also a deep cut, ‘Street Dreams’ which is actually an unreleased Pete Rock remix for Nas’ ‘Street Dreams’ remix, Pete rock only played on a ‘Future Flavas’ show. While the track ‘Kool Jazz’ has been recently used by Paul Wall & Termanology on their track called ‘Recognize My Car.’ The usage of melodic samples and filtered basslines as loops are attributes that have captivated Pete Rock fans for years. This is classic Pete Rock beats and if you are fan of one of the greatest moments in his career, which was the mid to late 1990’s, one will be pleased and taken down a trip of days past. ‘Return Of The SP1200’ is not only a return previous production but a return of a feeling. What did you think of the album? Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

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