Roy's West Coast Underground Volume 1

What's up, TROY fans. I've been on hiatus for a couple months, but now I'm back in full effect. I got six volumes of my favorite early-to-mid 90s west coast underground tracks on tap, so check back regularly. You may have noticed that I have a severe east coast bias, but this is also reflected in the type of west coast hip hop that I enjoy. I'll be adhering to a strict time frame (1992-1996), with a focus on artists such as Aceyalone, Freestyle Fellowship, Ras Kass, The Pharcyde, Del, Casual, Pep Love, Souls Of Mischief, Blackalicious, Saafir, Homeliss Derilex, Mannish, Chali 2na, Charizma, The Dereliks, Ahmad, Motion Man, E-Rule, Lateef, The Atban Klann, Funkytown Pros, The Nonce, Madlib, Mystik Journeymen, Abstract Rude, etc.

Before you download these compilations, give this track a listen:

James Sumbi - Sunshine Men (1991)


And with that, I present to you: The Sunshine Men.

Side One
1. Mannish - The Impact Of My Insanity
2. Aceyalone - The Greatest Show On Earth
3. Ras Kass - Remain Anonymous
4. Mannish - Mannish (Instrumental)
5. Dereliks - Iz On Some Other....
6. Blackalicious - Count And Estimate
7. Motion Man - 93 Swing
8. Peanut Butter Wolf - The Chronicles (Instrumental)
9. The Nonce - Mix Tapes
10. Charizma - Methods
11. Chali 2na - Who's Gonna Be The Next Victim
12. Casual - Rock On (Instrumental)
13. Casual, Pep Love & Del - Who's It On
14. Saafir - Can U Feel Me
15. Freestyle Fellowship - Hot Potato
16. Freestyle Fellowship - Pure Thought (Instrumental)
http://www.mediafire.com/?1m5rty4hem0

Side Two
1. Del - You're In Shambles
2. Homeliss Derilex - Survivin' The Game
3. Ras Kass, Saafir & Ahmad - Come Widdit
4. Alkaholiks - Mary Jane (Instrumental)
5. Atban Klann - No Sequel
6. Madlib - Get Down And Go For Mine '95
7. Funkytown Pros - The Remedy
8. The Nonce - Who Falls Apart (Instrumental)
9. E-Rule - My Synopsis
10. Lateef - The Wreckoning
11. Mystik Journeymen - Depths Of Survival
12. The Pharcyde - Otha Fish (Instrumental)
13. The Pharcyde - Bullshit
14. Aceyalone & Abstract Rude - Keep It True
15. Souls Of Mischief - 93 'Til Infinity
16. Peanut Butter Wolf - Lunar Props (Instrumental)
http://www.mediafire.com/?gterkjmhnvn

Preview:

Mannish - The Impact Of My Insanity


Dereliks - Iz On Some Other....


Blackalicious - Count And Estimate


Motion Man - 93 Swing


Charizma - Methods


Chali 2na - Who's Gonna Be The Next Victim


Homeliss Derilex - Survivin' The Game


Madlib - Get Down And Go For Mine '95


Props to dirt dog for the ill cover.

--Roy Johnson

Who Flipped It Best?

Too many times to count,producers have flipped the same samples. But, sometimes it works out well, depending on how they use it. What drums they use, what kind of bass, who's rhyming, how they chopped it up- these are just a few of the variables to take into consideration. Sometimes it's just what your favorite song is out of the bunch. Check these joints out to determiine which song made the best usage of the sample. Let us know in the comments.

Original: Bob James - Feel Like Making Love

1. Two Outta Millions - Land Of Lyricism

2. Esteem(East Flatbush Project) - Can't Hold It Back

3. Tony Bones - Come Upstairs

4. Mannish - Tasha's Room

For me, it came down to the East Flatbush Project produced Esteem song "Can't Hold It Back" and the Prince Po produced Tony Bones track. Po really went off on this one. The extra violin sample,the ill note variations he worked,and Tony Bones entertaining as always rhymes, put this song over the top for me.

But don't sleep on the Esteem joint.He may sound like he was a bit too influenced by Tim Dog or Freshco, but he drops some classic one liners. He rips from beginning to end. And the production is tight.Dirty drums,knocking bass,ill horns,the moan type sample on the hook-I don't know if I could honestly pick a winner here.

The Mannish and Two Outta Millions cuts are well put together,too.

Props to Blockhead for blessing the Philaflava website with the Tony Bones track.

Props to chillhood for looking out on the "Land of Lyricism" track.

And as usual, props to CharlieManson for the Esteem song.

--Verge