V/A - Past Masters 2 [Strictly Bizness SB1009]

SIDE A

01. Going Way Back - JUST ICE

A document in rhyme of the very early days of hip hop
in the boogie down bronx is brought to you by the
heaviest of BDP drum beats along with a hypnotic piano
loop & ecstatic KRS-One interruptions as Just Ice rips
through this history lesson.

1987 - Sleeping Bag Records

02. Microphone Fiend [Original Mix] - ERIC B & RAKIM

Only a single in the USA, this hardcore classic has
inspired many future MC's. With some drum machines from
hell topped by the illest of cowbells & one of the hardest
rhymes from Rakim ever, dropping tales of his addictions
to hip hop. Freed from the confines of being a mere album
track - let the fiend loose!

1988 - MCA

03. Juice Crew Dis - COOL C

One of the infamous Bridge Wars diss tracks - this raw
cut rips into the truth about Marley Marl's Queens based
crew & especially Roxanne ShantΘ [for originally coming
from Cool C's hometown Philly]. Besides the tuff rhymes
there's a killer beat & siren that resurfaced on the Ill
Advised anthem '1986'.

1987 - Hilltop Hustlers

SIDE B

04. Breaking Bells [Club Mix] - T LA ROCK

Unbelievable space age production courtesy of the king
of the beat, Mantronik. driven by the futuristic perfect
rhythm rhymes from the MC who gave us "It's Yours".
Amazing tape edits & sequencing by the electro team of
Omar Santana & Chep Nunez. Featuring advanced use of the
classic "Mardi Gras", this will destroy any jam!

1986 - Sleeping Bag Records

05. You Know How To Reach Us - KINGS OF PRESSURE

Very rare Strong Island originated raw ultimate break
sampling masterpiece that boasts the early production of
The Bomb Squad, aka Hank Shocklee & Carl Sadler. Which
may account for the balance between hardcore drum machines
& hook-filled breaks such as the nagging dope keyboard.
Also features a tuff freestyle ragga chanted & human b-box
outro.

1987 - Let's Go Records

06. Bonus Lesson 1 - DOUG E FRESH

The original human beatbox shows some freestyle skills on
this bonus cut.

1984 - Vintertainment

SIDE C

07. Coast To Coast - WORD OF MOUTH feat. DJ CHEESE

The 1986 DMC World Champion adds his slippery style to
this unusual percussive track. With Duke Bootee's unusual
drum sounds & the hardcore stabs, the two mc's double up
the rhymes forcing you to "listen up!". This was their
only vinyl releases along with the classic "King Kut".

1986 - Beauty And The Beat Records

08. Fresh, Wild, Fly & Bold - COLD CRUSH BROTHERS

One of electro's finest moments with this all bragging &
boasting attack of fresh beats & rhymes from these old
skool party legends. Lead MC Kay Gee went on to produce an
album "Troopers" on the Bronx based B-Boy label.

1984 - Tuff City

09. Human Beatbox - DISCO 3

One of the most heavily sampled beatbox tracks both for
the incredible human drum breaks & noises to the powerful
DJ cut-up phrases delivered by this old school trio produced
by early king of rap Kurtis Blow. Don't let the fact that
they went on to become the comedy rap group The Fat Boys
put you off.

1984 - Sutra Records

SIDE D

10. Get Rough - MIKEY D & THE L.A. POSSE

Rock hard drum beats & replayed Commodores "Brickhouse"
break kick out this rare jam featuring the New Music Seminar
rap champion of 1987 who took out none other than Melle Mel.
He went on to become Main Source's MC on their initially
slept-on album "Fuck What You Think", which is now rightly
seen as a classic. Furthermore, this track features the
legendary Paul C responsible for teaching Large Professor
the ropes and working with Eric B & Rakim etc...

1987 - Elite Records

11. Running Things - BUSY BEE

The live party rocker made few vinyl appearances but adds
his instantly recognisable voice & boasting rhymes to this
original rolling beat & synth cut produced by Jazzy Jay &
Skeef Anselm.Humour & style pour out of every word and this
even includes some strange rock & roll skatting.

1987 - Strong City Records

12. Bass Machine - T LA ROCK

Hidden away on an old 12" b-side is this 808 beat programmed
adventure once again produced somewhere well ahead of his
time by Mantronik & again ably assisted by Chep Nunez on the
edit tip & Greg Nice [later of Nice & Smooth] on the
computerized beatbox.

1986 - Sleeping Bag Records

liner notes by Strictly Bizness -
Devoted to preserving underground B-Boy classics.