A Tribe Called Quest – Low End Theory

Release Date:11/12/1996;Notes: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.;Track List:1. Excursions;2. Buggin’ Out;3. Rap Promoter;4. Butter;5. Verses from the Abstract;6. Show Business;7. Vibes and Stuff;8. Infamous Date Rape;9. Check the Rhime;10. Everything Is Fair;11. Jazz (We’ve Got);12. Skypager;13. What?;14. Scenario