A Tribe Called Quest
The Low End Theory 2LP

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.

NEW / Released in 1991 / Reissue 2024

Tracklist:

A1 Excursions

A2 Buggin' Out

A3 Rap Promoter

A4 Butter

B1 Verses From The Abstract

B2 Show Business

B3 Vibes And Stuff

C1 The Infamous Date Rape

C2 Check The Rhime

C3 Everything Is Fair

D1 Jazz (We've Got)

D2 Skypager

D3 What?

D4 Scenario