A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory
The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest was released on September 24, 1991 (the same day as Nevermind by Nirvana, Trompe Le Monde by The Pixies, Blood Sugar Sex Magik by The Red Hot Chili Peppers and a couple more heavy hitters). This was Tribe's second album, and their first as a trio. Q-Tip primarily handled the production (finding the samples and assembling the songs), and he and Phife perfected their tag-team vocals.
The album is a masterwork in tasteful sampling and hiphop song structure. In stark contrast to the dense, collage-like works of Public Enemy, Paul's Boutique era Beastie Boys, and even ATCQ's Native Tongues brothers De La Soul, The Low End Theory is deliberately sparse. The vocals, drums and the basslines anchor the songs, and the jazz and soul samples are all the more effective for the lack of sonic competition. The songs have hooks and memorable choruses and incredible rhymes, and to quote Q-Tip, "...the beats are hard but gentle". A perfect description.
This is a landmark LP. Incredibly important and influential, and as thoroughly enjoyable today as it was when it came out and changed hiphop forever some 30 years ago. It's not only a pinnacle of hiphop, but of modern music generally. "You on point, Phife? All the time, Tip." Enjoy…
The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest was released on September 24, 1991 (the same day as Nevermind by Nirvana, Trompe Le Monde by The Pixies, Blood Sugar Sex Magik by The Red Hot Chili Peppers and a couple more heavy hitters). This was Tribe's second album, and their first as a trio. Q-Tip primarily handled the production (finding the samples and assembling the songs), and he and Phife perfected their tag-team vocals.
The album is a masterwork in tasteful sampling and hiphop song structure. In stark contrast to the dense, collage-like works of Public Enemy, Paul's Boutique era Beastie Boys, and even ATCQ's Native Tongues brothers De La Soul, The Low End Theory is deliberately sparse. The vocals, drums and the basslines anchor the songs, and the jazz and soul samples are all the more effective for the lack of sonic competition. The songs have hooks and memorable choruses and incredible rhymes, and to quote Q-Tip, "...the beats are hard but gentle". A perfect description.
This is a landmark LP. Incredibly important and influential, and as thoroughly enjoyable today as it was when it came out and changed hiphop forever some 30 years ago. It's not only a pinnacle of hiphop, but of modern music generally. "You on point, Phife? All the time, Tip." Enjoy…
The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest was released on September 24, 1991 (the same day as Nevermind by Nirvana, Trompe Le Monde by The Pixies, Blood Sugar Sex Magik by The Red Hot Chili Peppers and a couple more heavy hitters). This was Tribe's second album, and their first as a trio. Q-Tip primarily handled the production (finding the samples and assembling the songs), and he and Phife perfected their tag-team vocals.
The album is a masterwork in tasteful sampling and hiphop song structure. In stark contrast to the dense, collage-like works of Public Enemy, Paul's Boutique era Beastie Boys, and even ATCQ's Native Tongues brothers De La Soul, The Low End Theory is deliberately sparse. The vocals, drums and the basslines anchor the songs, and the jazz and soul samples are all the more effective for the lack of sonic competition. The songs have hooks and memorable choruses and incredible rhymes, and to quote Q-Tip, "...the beats are hard but gentle". A perfect description.
This is a landmark LP. Incredibly important and influential, and as thoroughly enjoyable today as it was when it came out and changed hiphop forever some 30 years ago. It's not only a pinnacle of hiphop, but of modern music generally. "You on point, Phife? All the time, Tip." Enjoy…