Gang Starr – Above The Clouds

I uploaded this track and had a post half written the day before I heard the news that Guru had gone into a coma after suffering a heart attack. At the time I was writing more about where my head was at, but once I heard that news I felt it wasn’t the time to be posting this track. Sadly, Guru lost his battle and passed away Monday February 19.

I’ve been a huge Gang Starr fan since the early 90s, bumping joints like Just To Get A Rep and Ex Girl To The Next Girl, but to me it was Moment of Truth that was Gang Starr at their finest, and to this day it is one of my all time favorite hip hop records. The Militia featuring Big Shug and Freddie Foxxx was pure hardcore street rap, straight fire. Above The Clouds with Inspectah Deck of Wu Tang Clan is a more melancholic joint showing off Guru’s deeper lyrical flows and You Know My Steez, The Rep Gets Bigger, She Knowz What She Wantz and the title track Moment Of Truth, to me, represent what real hip hop is all about. And as for the production by the man Dj Premier — shit is untouchable: every beat on that album is completely off the hook. Gang Starr were one of the most influential hip hop acts to come out of New York, and it’s not hard to see why.

I’ve written a more in depth tribute to Guru of Gangstarr / Jazzmatazz for old school rap and electro funk blog Cold Crush, check it out.

In something much closer to home, my own old man suffered a heart attack over the weekend. The shock of hearing about somebody you have admired and being a fan of for years having a heart attack is one thing, but when it’s your own family shit is on a whole new level. Thankfully though I can say that he is ok, he needed three stents put into his heart but the doctors are pretty happy with how he is doing. Keep my Dad in your thoughts. One love

Gang Starr – Above The Clouds

Newcleus – Destination Earth

Got some sad news today that Chilly B, from New York old school rap crew Newcleus died yesterday of a stroke, at only age 47. It’s sad news for all electro funk and old school hip hop fans, Newcleus had some really huge hits in the early 80s…classic old tracks like Jam On It, and Jam On Revenge, I Wanna Be a B-Boy, Computer Age and I Am Not a Robot.

I’ve picked one of their lesser known tracks, from their first album Jam On Revenge, released in 1984. It’s much deeper and darker than most of the electro of its time, with live bass guitar (played by Chilly B), beautiful dark strings and arpeggio synth lines over a heavy drum track. It’s atmospheric and a little melancholy, and really I think it sounds more like the electro being produced in the last few years as opposed to something that’s nearly 30 years old now. A real future jam.

RIP Chilly B, my thoughts to your family and the rest of Newcleus.

For a better look at the history of Newcleus (and one of their classic party jams to listen to) check out this article over at Cold Crush: Chilly B of Newcleus: A Tribute

Ps, there are a whole stack of Newcleus albums for sale at the official Jam On Productions online store. Check it out because by buying from there you are supporting the artists directly so go on and show a little love!

Newcleus – Destination Earth