#20. Runaway Slave (Produced by Showbiz and Diamond D) [Payday Records 1992]

1|Still Diggin’ (feat. Diamond D)|3:42 5
2|Fat Pockets|3:37 5
3|Bounce ta This (feat. Dres)|3:50 4.5
4|More Than One Way Out of the Ghetto|4:28 5
5|Silence of the Lambs (Remix)|4:49 5
6|40 Acres and My Props|4:18 4.5
7|Runaway Slave|4:50 4.5
8|Hard to Kill (feat. Diamond D)|5:12 4.5
9|Hold Ya Head|4:35 4
10|He Say, She Say|4:18 11|Represent (feat. Big L, Deshawn & Lord Finesse)|5:53 5    
       “Cuz phony faggots I froze, it’s a fact, I flip fast on foes with
        fabulous fantastic flows. L is the rebel type, I’m rough as a metal
        pipe, fuck a benz, cuz I could pull skins on a pedal-bike. Props, I
        got the most, no MC comes close, coast-to-coast, shows I host,
        foes I roast, adios, I’m ghost…”
12|Silence of the Lambs|5:07 4.5
13|Party Groove (Bass Mix)|3:19 4
14|Soul Clap (Short Version) (feat. Diamond D)|4:01 5
15|Catchin’ Wreck|4:15 4.5
16|Party Groove (Instrumental)|3:17 (don’t rate instrumentals or skits)

Showbiz and A.G. are two dudes from the D.I.T.C. crew and they dropped a classic in 1992. It’s a sign of what was to come later from that crew, especially the Big L verse on “Represent,” which is possibly the best verse on the album and an absolute classic hip hop track. This is just some excellent braggadocious boom bap from New York. If you haven’t noticed yet, I lean more toward jazz-infused hip hop and hardcore boom bap over other hip hop subgenres. Showbiz is a great producer that truly found some gems while he was digging in the crates. A.G. is a great MC with a really commanding voice and honest inflections. He’s got a great flow and has all he needs to back up his claim he is one of the best to grab the mic. Showbiz also raps and is fantastic, which doesn’t happen to often with producer + rapper combos.

(Source: xcriterionmasterx)

#21. Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) (Produced by Butterfly) [Pendulum Records 1993]

1|It’s Good to Be Here|5:06 5
2|Pacifics|4:31 5
3|Where I’m From|4:35 5
4|What Cool Breezes Do|3:21 3.5
5|Time & Space (A New Refutation Of)|3:32 5
6|Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)|4:21 5
7|Last of the Spiddyocks|4:27 4
8|Jimmi Diggin’ Cats|3:41 5
9|La Femme Fetal|4:35 3
10|Escapism (Gettin’ Free)|3:24 4.5
11|Appointment at the Fat Clinic|2:58 3.5
12|Nickel Bags|3:18 4.5
13|Swoon Units|4:00 4
14|Examination of What?|4:44 5

Digable Planets released two great albums in the early 90s, but this one is my favorite of the two. It features a couple weak songs, but the strong tracks way outweigh the weak ones, and as a whole, the entire sound/experience is fantastic. Butterfly, Doodlebug, and Ladybug Mecca all have unique vocal delivers that flow with their smooth jazz-influenced beats and compliment each other well. They aren’t super technical, but their sound is like butter and their lyrics have interesting political leanings. I can say without a doubt that no album flows as smooth as this. Think of that feeling of being incredibly thirsty and taking a nice swig of Coke, that’s Reachin’ defined. It is poetry in a small jazz club. It results in endless snapping and head-bobbing. I put this album on any time I want to relax. “Rebirth of Slick” is one of my favorite songs ever recorded.

(Source: xcriterionmasterx)