A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory ( VINYL 11-12-1996 )

de la Soul are remembered as the premier Native Tongues posse, those rappers who got low-key, self-consciously thoughtful, and jazzy in the face of gangsta's hardcore threats. But A Tribe Called Quest may have been even stronger, especially on their excellent second album, the bass-thumping, heavily jazz-sampled the Low End Theory. According to the opening "Excursions," rapper Q-Tip's old man says the disc's jazz-rap "reminded him of bebop," and Q calls himself "prominent like Shakespeare." But if Charlie Parker had ever written poetic couplets and backed them with funky-drummer and Ron Carter-on-bass grooves this irresistible, he might have been as big as the Bard and Brother James combined. - David Cantwell.

CONDITION: NEW

TRACK LISTING

1 Excursions 3:54
2 Buggin' Out 3:37
3 Rap Promoter 2:13
4 Butter 3:38
5 Verses from the Abstract 3:58
6 Show Business 3:53
7 Vibes and Stuff 4:17
8 Infamous Date Rape 2:53
9 Check the Rhime 3:36
10 Everything Is Fair 2:58
11 Jazz (We've Got) 4:10
12 Skypager 2:12
13 What? 2:28
14 Scenario 4:10