The Low End Theory 25th anniversary

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Mr. Grieves, Sep 24, 2016.

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  1. Mr. Grieves

    Mr. Grieves Forum Resident Thread Starter

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    One of the greatest hip hop albums of all time came out 25 years ago today. On this album, Tribe Called Quest took some jazz influence(Ron Carter lays down some sweet bass lines on this record) and fused it with their conscious, witty, & unique brand of hip-hop, the kind of which the world had never seen before. Q-Tip & Phife (R.I.P.) pull no punches as they deliver one great line after another one top of the minimalistic & stripped back, yet very groovy music. They absolutely destroyed any doubts anyone had on whether or not they'd mangage to over come "the sophomore slump". IMO, it's definitely the greatest 2nd album of the year, which was no easy feat in 91 with Spiderland & Nevermind out. Seen by most as a quantum leap over their debut album, it would go on to become extremely influential, and is recognized as a seminal album in the genre.

    For those of you unfamiliar with it, I cannot recommend it enough. For those of you who do, what do you think about it? What's your favorite track if you have one? Here's mine:

     
  2. Mr.Sneis

    Mr.Sneis Forum Resident

    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Yes! One of my faves of all times. Rumor has it Tribe has an album releasing this year with Phife on it.
     
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  3. Mr. Grieves

    Mr. Grieves Forum Resident Thread Starter

    I hadn't heard anything about it, but I'd definitely be interested in it :agree:
     
  4. WorldB3

    WorldB3 Forum Resident

    Location:
    On the continent.
  5. Mr. Grieves

    Mr. Grieves Forum Resident Thread Starter

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  6. Mr. Grieves

    Mr. Grieves Forum Resident Thread Starter

     
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  7. jiffypopinski

    jiffypopinski Forum Resident

    Location:
    West Virginia
    GREAT album! Love the jazz influence and samples....

     
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  8. Mr. Grieves

    Mr. Grieves Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Right on. The sparse production is one of my favorites. It works very well for the songs & creates a great atmosphere
     
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  9. Monosterio

    Monosterio Forum Resident

    Location:
    South Florida
    My favorite:



    Their Anthology CD opens with it.
     
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  10. Duophonic

    Duophonic Beatles

    Location:
    BEATLES LOVE SONGS
    Is this re-released too like "Peoples Instinctive.."?
     
  11. Mr. Grieves

    Mr. Grieves Forum Resident Thread Starter

  12. It's such a singularly unique album in hip-hop history with that gorgeous jazz vibe. I played it on endless loop during high school. It's also a great album if you love fat bass.

    One of my three favorite Rap albums of all time. It's probably Q-Tip's zenith as a rapper, he was never better than on this album.
     
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  13. Mr. Grieves

    Mr. Grieves Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Absolutely. Midnight Marauders was also great, but imo never quite touched the perfection of this one for me. It's like, this is There's A Riot Goin' On, and Midnight was Fresh. I also agree about Q-Tip, this was his peak & with this alone, I'd consider him one of the greatest.
     
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  14. Jim B.

    Jim B. Senior Member

    Location:
    UK
    Which makes the debut Stand!?

    Anyway, great album!
     
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  15. WilliamWes

    WilliamWes Likes to sing along but he knows not what it means

    Location:
    New York
    This album sharing a 25th anniversary with Nirvana Nevermind and the Chili Peppers Bloodsugarsexmagik. What a Sept. 24th for music! A great album and one that would be a nice intro to non-rap fans. It's a casual rap album in comparison to later 90's efforts in hip-hop.

    What's Q-Tip doing anyway nowadays? I've lost track for a long time now.
     
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  16. Marc Perman

    Marc Perman Forum Resident

    Location:
    Los Angeles
     
  17. Willowman

    Willowman Senior Member

    Location:
    London, UK
    Funnily enough, I prefer Midnight Marauders and Fresh!

    But I do love Low End Theory, and agree it's Q Tip's finest hour.
     
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  18. Mr. Grieves

    Mr. Grieves Forum Resident Thread Starter

    They are both some of my favorite albums of all time, and on some odd days, I prefer them to their respective predecessors.
     
  19. Mr. Grieves

    Mr. Grieves Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Yes it does.
     
  20. Rob Hughes

    Rob Hughes Forum Resident

    Probably my favorite hip hop album! I've been hoping for news of a reissue one of these days...
     
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  21. InfoNozzle

    InfoNozzle Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dallas, TX, USA
    I love this album - this and Midnight Marauders. Can artists have two masterpieces?

    My favorite track on Low End Theory would have to be "Show Business".

     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2016
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  22. Mr. Grieves

    Mr. Grieves Forum Resident Thread Starter

    You and me both man.
     
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  23. npgchris

    npgchris Forum Resident

    Definitely one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time! (Top 5? Yeah, I think so). Not a bad track on this album. Sometimes you're not always aware of an album's greatness until some time has passed and you've gained some perspective. I think with this one, a few of my friends and I knew we were hearing greatness right from the first listen.

    As great as Public Enemy and Run-DMC were (not to mention Boogie Down Productions, Beastie Boys, Gangstarr, De La Soul and a handful of others), I think A Tribe Called Quest may be the greatest rap act of all time. I guess we could argue that a few other acts managed to put together a longer string of strong albums, but at their peak there was no one better.

    Hard to choose a favorite track. Maybe Check The Rhime. Or Excursions. Or Jazz. I know the entire album flows beautifully and I wouldn't want to lose any tracks from it!
     
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  24. nitsuj

    nitsuj Forum Resident

    Location:
    Midwest
    This is a magic album. Happy Anniversary.

    Do you know the importance of a Skypager?
     
  25. Mr. Grieves

    Mr. Grieves Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Very well said. IMO, at their peak, they were never bettered. This album is nearly untouchable & one of the greatest achievements in hip-hop(well music in general). Wu Tang with their debut are the only act that I felt truly rivialed Quest and funnily enough, that album came out the same day as Midnight Marauders. I'd lost my damn mind between these two albums lol
     
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