Normal Bias » Series http://www.normalbias.org Archiving old cassettes before they snap Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:10:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Copyright © 2010 Normal Bias normalbias-org@laze.net () normalbias-org@laze.net () posts 1440 Archiving old cassettes before they snap normalbias-org@laze.net No no http://www.normalbias.org/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg Normal Bias http://www.normalbias.org 144 144 The Year in Rap – 1995 http://www.normalbias.org/2009/10/15/the-year-in-rap-%e2%80%93-1995/ http://www.normalbias.org/2009/10/15/the-year-in-rap-%e2%80%93-1995/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:19:47 +0000 laze http://www.normalbias.org/?p=185 This is the final in The Year in Rap series. Lots of good stuff here, though not my favorite in the series. Some exclusive stuff you’ll find include David J Hip-Hop Central remixes of “Fast Life” and “Mic Check” (where he even lends a verse). Saafir’s “Pull Ya Card” is on here, too, an underappreciated gem from the saucee one, in my opinion.

I had always intended to create cover art for this one, but just ended up printing up some cheesy cover with just the name of the mix and the track listing. I can’t even find a copy of the cover, though I know it’s in the basement somewhere.

Since I don’t have cover art, here’s the track listing.

Side A:

Ear to the Concrete Intro… Laze
Rather Unique… AZ
Fast Life (Hip-Hop Central Remix)… Kool G Rap feat. Nas
Invasion… Jeru the Damaja
Runnin’… Pharcyde
Reprogram… Channel Live
Put It On… Big L
Sandwiches… Count Bass D
Natural Disaster… Supernatural
KMEL Freestyle… Supernatural
MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know… KRS-One
Pull Ya Card… Saafir

Side B:

Side 2 Intro… Laze
Superstar… Group Home
Hole in the Bucket (Live Radio Session)… Spearhead
Honeydips in Gotham… Boogiemonsters
Labels… Genius/Gza
Criminology… Raekwon
No Flow On the Rodeo… King Just
The Nod Factor… Mad Skillz
Elevate… B.U.M.S. (Brothas Under Madness)
Crooklyn (Part II)… Crooklyn Dodgers (Chubb Rock, O.C., and Jeru)
Mic Check (Hip-Hop Central Remix)… Aceyalone

]]> http://www.normalbias.org/2009/10/15/the-year-in-rap-%e2%80%93-1995/feed/ 0 43:01 This is the final in The Year in Rap series. Lots of good stuff here, though not my favorite in the series. Some ... This is the final in The Year in Rap series. Lots of good stuff here, though not my favorite in the series. Some exclusive stuff you'll find include David J Hip-Hop Central remixes of "Fast Life" and "Mic Check" (where he even lends a verse). Saafir's "Pull Ya Card" is on here, too, an underappreciated gem from the saucee one, in my opinion. I had always intended to create cover art for this one, but just ended up printing up some cheesy cover with just the name of the mix and the track listing. I can't even find a copy of the cover, though I know it's in the basement somewhere. Since I don't have cover art, here's the track listing. Side A: Ear to the Concrete Intro... Laze Rather Unique... AZ Fast Life (Hip-Hop Central Remix)... Kool G Rap feat. Nas Invasion... Jeru the Damaja Runnin'... Pharcyde Reprogram... Channel Live Put It On... Big L Sandwiches... Count Bass D Natural Disaster... Supernatural KMEL Freestyle... Supernatural MC's Act Like They Don't Know... KRS-One Pull Ya Card... Saafir Side B: Side 2 Intro... Laze Superstar... Group Home Hole in the Bucket (Live Radio Session)... Spearhead Honeydips in Gotham... Boogiemonsters Labels... Genius/Gza Criminology... Raekwon No Flow On the Rodeo... King Just The Nod Factor... Mad Skillz Elevate... B.U.M.S. (Brothas Under Madness) Crooklyn (Part II)... Crooklyn Dodgers (Chubb Rock, O.C., and Jeru) Mic Check (Hip-Hop Central Remix)... Aceyalone 1990s,,1995,,Hip-Hop,,Mixtape,,The,Year,in,Rap normalbias-org@laze.net no No The Year in Rap – 1994 http://www.normalbias.org/2009/09/22/the-year-in-rap-1994/ http://www.normalbias.org/2009/09/22/the-year-in-rap-1994/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:31:04 +0000 laze http://www.normalbias.org/?p=179 The third entry in The Year in Rap series features everyone you might expect to be featured on a “best singles and soundtrack appearances” compilation from 1994: Saafir, Organized Konfusion, Jeru, O.C., Ras Kass, and E-Rule along with a couple of surprises (bet you weren’t expecting Fesu, were you?). This collection features a number of “Remix Lites” done by yours truly. What’s a “Remix Lite”? It’s essentially the original song with a few extra samples layered on top (dig the Curtis Mayfield loop over Nas’ “It Ain’t Hard to Tell”).

One track you’ve probably never heard is the Hip Hop Central Remix of Saafir’s “Light Sleeper.” As far as I know, this compilation is the only place anywhere this version of the song is available. It was produced by David J. Warner, an alt.rap original and former host of the “Hip-Hop Central” radio show out of Bloomington, Indiana. I haven’t spoken with David in more than a decade and have no clue where he is these days. It’s a mighty dope remix, though.

The sole drop on this one comes courtesy of Michael Franti of Spearhead. Liner notes are much less embarrassing this time around, aside from a swipe I took at the Digable Planets for being assholes to me when I tried to interview them. Not that I hold a grudge or anything. (Years later I interviewed Ladybug Mecca in an interview that was so strange it couldn’t be published.)

Cover art again courtesy of Devo Spice.

The Year in Rap 1994
click through for the full j-card

]]> http://www.normalbias.org/2009/09/22/the-year-in-rap-1994/feed/ 0 44:04 The third entry in The Year in Rap series features everyone you might expect to be featured on a "best singles and soundtrack appearances" compilation ... The third entry in The Year in Rap series features everyone you might expect to be featured on a "best singles and soundtrack appearances" compilation from 1994: Saafir, Organized Konfusion, Jeru, O.C., Ras Kass, and E-Rule along with a couple of surprises (bet you weren't expecting Fesu, were you?). This collection features a number of "Remix Lites" done by yours truly. What's a "Remix Lite"? It's essentially the original song with a few extra samples layered on top (dig the Curtis Mayfield loop over Nas' "It Ain't Hard to Tell"). One track you've probably never heard is the Hip Hop Central Remix of Saafir's "Light Sleeper." As far as I know, this compilation is the only place anywhere this version of the song is available. It was produced by David J. Warner, an alt.rap original and former host of the "Hip-Hop Central" radio show out of Bloomington, Indiana. I haven't spoken with David in more than a decade and have no clue where he is these days. It's a mighty dope remix, though. The sole drop on this one comes courtesy of Michael Franti of Spearhead. Liner notes are much less embarrassing this time around, aside from a swipe I took at the Digable Planets for being assholes to me when I tried to interview them. Not that I hold a grudge or anything. (Years later I interviewed Ladybug Mecca in an interview that was so strange it couldn't be published.) Cover art again courtesy of Devo Spice. click through for the full j-card 1990s,,1994,,Hip-Hop,,Mixtape,,The,Year,in,Rap normalbias-org@laze.net no No The Year in Rap – 1993 http://www.normalbias.org/2009/09/19/the-year-in-rap-1993/ http://www.normalbias.org/2009/09/19/the-year-in-rap-1993/#comments Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:59:03 +0000 laze http://www.normalbias.org/?p=169 The second entry in The Year in Rap series still was more compilation than mix, but it’s still head and shoulders above the previous year’s entry and stands as a really solid example of that classic 1993 sound.

It kicks off with a mix of a Malcolm X speech laid over top of Stanley Clarke’s “Black On Black Crime” from the Boyz n the Hood soundtrack (I used this same blend on a high school Media/TV Tech video project about the Rodney King beating and ensuing riots). Appropriately, it then runs into Masta Ace’s “Jeep Ass Niguh.” Also representing 1993: Raw Breed, Art of Origin, Hiero (three times!), Original Flavor, PRT, and Jeru. I’d venture to say there’s not a single dud on this mix.

One track you probably haven’t heard but will want to check out is Martay and B-Right’s “Smokin’ Joints.” These two guys were part of the East Coast Tribe, a crew out of Atlanta’s underground. (Martay’s name may sound familiar from Upski’s Bomb the Suburbs (page 19).) Martay’s still kicking and every couple of years I get an e-mail from B-Right. Good people who made good music that wasn’t heard by nearly enough people.

The cover was designed by nerdcore star Devo Spice.

I should also note that the liner notes on this one are even more embarrassingly awful than 1992.

Dig in.

The Year in Rap - 1993
Download: Front cover / Liner notes

]]> http://www.normalbias.org/2009/09/19/the-year-in-rap-1993/feed/ 2 44:45 The second entry in The Year in Rap series still was more compilation than mix, but it's still head and shoulders above the previous year's ... The second entry in The Year in Rap series still was more compilation than mix, but it's still head and shoulders above the previous year's entry and stands as a really solid example of that classic 1993 sound. It kicks off with a mix of a Malcolm X speech laid over top of Stanley Clarke's "Black On Black Crime" from the Boyz n the Hood soundtrack (I used this same blend on a high school Media/TV Tech video project about the Rodney King beating and ensuing riots). Appropriately, it then runs into Masta Ace's "Jeep Ass Niguh." Also representing 1993: Raw Breed, Art of Origin, Hiero (three times!), Original Flavor, PRT, and Jeru. I'd venture to say there's not a single dud on this mix. One track you probably haven't heard but will want to check out is Martay and B-Right's "Smokin' Joints." These two guys were part of the East Coast Tribe, a crew out of Atlanta's underground. (Martay's name may sound familiar from Upski's Bomb the Suburbs (page 19).) Martay's still kicking and every couple of years I get an e-mail from B-Right. Good people who made good music that wasn't heard by nearly enough people. The cover was designed by nerdcore star Devo Spice. I should also note that the liner notes on this one are even more embarrassingly awful than 1992. Dig in. Download: Front cover / Liner notes 1990s,,1993,,Hip-Hop,,Mixtape,,The,Year,in,Rap normalbias-org@laze.net no No The Year in Rap – 1992 http://www.normalbias.org/2009/09/18/the-year-in-rap-1992/ http://www.normalbias.org/2009/09/18/the-year-in-rap-1992/#comments Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:04:25 +0000 laze http://www.normalbias.org/?p=158 It’s been nearly four months since my last post. I have a bunch of stuff lined up, so the pace should pick up a bit for the remainder of the year.

Back in 1992, I was 17-years-old, filled with love for hip-hop at a time that most of my peers were moving onto other genres. A friend and I were making (admittedly pretty awful) music and I was armed with a good quality dual-cassette deck. Beginning in 1992 and going through 1995 I compiled the best hip-hop singles and soundtrack appearances into a 90-minute collection and sold them to friends and online. It was a great time.

Here is the first of the four editions of The Year in Rap. This one isn’t mixed or blended, as I didn’t own a 4-track or mixer, so it’s a pretty straightforward compilation. Just using a tape deck didn’t stop me from trying to make it sound like I was using vinyl, though, even faking the sound of a record stopping and doing a “remix” of Tung Twista’s “Mr. Tung Twista” by using the pause-tape method of switching between the acapella and vocal versions of the track.

In this era where pretty much every great mixtape has found its way online, this one certainly isn’t one of the best or most sought-after, but it does hold some treats. For a few of the tracks, I opted to use versions I’d heard on the radio, so you’ll hear DJ Jay-Ski and DJ Kam unknowingly participating on my mixtape (the version of “Dwyck” is especially dope). And while there aren’t any seriously rare joints here, it probably is one of the few “year in review” mixes that includes Raheem and Insane Poetry alongside Naughty By Nature and Roxanne Shante. This is the least interesting (and least technically proficient) of the four tapes in the series, but after listening to it today for the first time in probably ten years, I can say it’s still a good listen.

The j-card (remember those?) is handmade, printed from my old Apple II compatible onto a dot-matrix printer. The shout-outs are embarrassing and the references to a SASE, Dolby B, and HX Pro are quaint.

Enjoy.

Year in Rap 1992
click through for the full j-card

]]> http://www.normalbias.org/2009/09/18/the-year-in-rap-1992/feed/ 1 46:18 It's been nearly four months since my last post. I have a bunch of stuff lined up, so the pace should pick up a ... It's been nearly four months since my last post. I have a bunch of stuff lined up, so the pace should pick up a bit for the remainder of the year. Back in 1992, I was 17-years-old, filled with love for hip-hop at a time that most of my peers were moving onto other genres. A friend and I were making (admittedly pretty awful) music and I was armed with a good quality dual-cassette deck. Beginning in 1992 and going through 1995 I compiled the best hip-hop singles and soundtrack appearances into a 90-minute collection and sold them to friends and online. It was a great time. Here is the first of the four editions of The Year in Rap. This one isn't mixed or blended, as I didn't own a 4-track or mixer, so it's a pretty straightforward compilation. Just using a tape deck didn't stop me from trying to make it sound like I was using vinyl, though, even faking the sound of a record stopping and doing a "remix" of Tung Twista's "Mr. Tung Twista" by using the pause-tape method of switching between the acapella and vocal versions of the track. In this era where pretty much every great mixtape has found its way online, this one certainly isn't one of the best or most sought-after, but it does hold some treats. For a few of the tracks, I opted to use versions I'd heard on the radio, so you'll hear DJ Jay-Ski and DJ Kam unknowingly participating on my mixtape (the version of "Dwyck" is especially dope). And while there aren't any seriously rare joints here, it probably is one of the few "year in review" mixes that includes Raheem and Insane Poetry alongside Naughty By Nature and Roxanne Shante. This is the least interesting (and least technically proficient) of the four tapes in the series, but after listening to it today for the first time in probably ten years, I can say it's still a good listen. The j-card (remember those?) is handmade, printed from my old Apple II compatible onto a dot-matrix printer. The shout-outs are embarrassing and the references to a SASE, Dolby B, and HX Pro are quaint. Enjoy. click through for the full j-card 1990s,,1992,,Hip-Hop,,Mixtape,,The,Year,in,Rap normalbias-org@laze.net no No Remembering Tony D: My Memories (and Tenth Planet) http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/13/remembering-tony-d-my-memories-and-tenth-planet/ http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/13/remembering-tony-d-my-memories-and-tenth-planet/#comments Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:16:33 +0000 laze http://www.normalbias.org/?p=124 I figured I’d close out this week-long tribute to Tony D with a brief post about what he meant to me. (There may be a few more posts in this series in the coming weeks contributed by others.)

I first heard Tone on WPRB back in 1989 when flipping through local radio stations, looking for something to listen to. I was 13 at the time and absolutely obsessed with hip-hop. Back then in the Philly area, there weren’t a whole lot of stations playing hip-hop, so when I stumbled on a college radio show that was not only playing dope music, but also laying into the commercial crap at the time like Young MC, I instantly fell in love. Over the next four years, I’d listen faithfully every week to Club Crush/Raw Deal, taping almost every episode.

Tone’s presence on the show was always very big. He would never step to the mic and sound tired or bored. He was always hyped up about pushing his latest production or promoting an upcoming PRT show. Any time there was a Thursday Night Live session, he was in the thick of it, freestyling or dropping verses that would later show up on his solo album or the Crusaders for Real Hip-Hop project. You could tell there were times where he had some disagreements with Easy M or G along the way (like when his name was mysteriously chopped out of drops for the show), but he would always find his way back on the air and make some noise.

Back in 1990 I sent Tone my first (very) crappy demo tape and then pestered him for several weeks to see if he had listened. He told me one week that he had received it, and a few weeks later he told me that he didn’t have it. “It was in my bag,” he told me, but either he had lost it or it had been stolen. Looking back now, I realize that he was just being polite to a 14-year-old kid who had sent him a seriously awful demo. Rather than telling me I sucked and crushing my dreams, he chose the higher road and didn’t say anything. I really appreciated that courtesy, once I realized what he did.

Post-PRB, I kept up with his music and periodically listened to my old PRB tapes for old times sake. Then, in 2003 or 2004, I dropped him a line and we started talking about music and the radio show. He joined up with Paul from WPRB and co-DJed the “Tenth Planet” show for a while in 2004. His involvement there was unfortunately cut short — I think he said it had something to do with management. I ended up a recording a bunch of those shows as well.

When I launched Normal Bias, Tone was absolutely psyched. Anytime I posted a new show, I’d let him know and he’d download it. We chatted about behind-the-scenes stuff with the show and he’d share new tracks he was working on. Word is that there was even a “Raw Deal” reunion in the works. How great would that have been? I’m going to miss those chats.

The audio included here kind of goes against format in that it was recorded off of a stream directly to an MP3 file rather than cassette, but it’s a great 3-hour set from the September 11, 2004 edition of “Tenth Planet.” Tone’s on the wheels the entire time. The playlist for the show is still online (and included in the comments ID3 tag on the MP3).

RIP, Tone and deepest condolences to your family.

(Also, a few things you may have missed: comments from Tony here on Normal Bias: 1 2, and memories of Tone from G: 1 2 and Pumis.)

]]> http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/13/remembering-tony-d-my-memories-and-tenth-planet/feed/ 1 233:33 I figured I'd close out this week-long tribute to Tony D with a brief post about what he meant to me. (There may be ... I figured I'd close out this week-long tribute to Tony D with a brief post about what he meant to me. (There may be a few more posts in this series in the coming weeks contributed by others.) I first heard Tone on WPRB back in 1989 when flipping through local radio stations, looking for something to listen to. I was 13 at the time and absolutely obsessed with hip-hop. Back then in the Philly area, there weren't a whole lot of stations playing hip-hop, so when I stumbled on a college radio show that was not only playing dope music, but also laying into the commercial crap at the time like Young MC, I instantly fell in love. Over the next four years, I'd listen faithfully every week to Club Crush/Raw Deal, taping almost every episode. Tone's presence on the show was always very big. He would never step to the mic and sound tired or bored. He was always hyped up about pushing his latest production or promoting an upcoming PRT show. Any time there was a Thursday Night Live session, he was in the thick of it, freestyling or dropping verses that would later show up on his solo album or the Crusaders for Real Hip-Hop project. You could tell there were times where he had some disagreements with Easy M or G along the way (like when his name was mysteriously chopped out of drops for the show), but he would always find his way back on the air and make some noise. Back in 1990 I sent Tone my first (very) crappy demo tape and then pestered him for several weeks to see if he had listened. He told me one week that he had received it, and a few weeks later he told me that he didn't have it. "It was in my bag," he told me, but either he had lost it or it had been stolen. Looking back now, I realize that he was just being polite to a 14-year-old kid who had sent him a seriously awful demo. Rather than telling me I sucked and crushing my dreams, he chose the higher road and didn't say anything. I really appreciated that courtesy, once I realized what he did. Post-PRB, I kept up with his music and periodically listened to my old PRB tapes for old times sake. Then, in 2003 or 2004, I dropped him a line and we started talking about music and the radio show. He joined up with Paul from WPRB and co-DJed the "Tenth Planet" show for a while in 2004. His involvement there was unfortunately cut short -- I think he said it had something to do with management. I ended up a recording a bunch of those shows as well. When I launched Normal Bias, Tone was absolutely psyched. Anytime I posted a new show, I'd let him know and he'd download it. We chatted about behind-the-scenes stuff with the show and he'd share new tracks he was working on. Word is that there was even a "Raw Deal" reunion in the works. How great would that have been? I'm going to miss those chats. The audio included here kind of goes against format in that it was recorded off of a stream directly to an MP3 file rather than cassette, but it's a great 3-hour set from the September 11, 2004 edition of "Tenth Planet." Tone's on the wheels the entire time. The playlist for the show is still online (and included in the comments ID3 tag on the MP3). RIP, Tone and deepest condolences to your family. (Also, a few things you may have missed: comments from Tony here on Normal Bias: 1 2, and memories of Tone from G: 1 2 and Pumis.) 2000s,,2004,,Hip-Hop,,Radio,,Remembering,Tony,D,,WPRB normalbias-org@laze.net no No Remembering Tony D: Club Crush: February 8, 1990 http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/09/remembering-tony-d-club-crush-february-8-1990/ http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/09/remembering-tony-d-club-crush-february-8-1990/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:16:18 +0000 laze http://www.normalbias.org/?p=118 This week, I searched and searched for the oldest tape I had of WPRB’s “Club Crush.” It’s from 1989 and features some great banter between Easy M, G, and Tony D, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find it.

However, I have what may be a better episode for this week of tributes to Tony D. This episode is from February 8, 1990. Easy M was off DJing a party somewhere in Jersey, so his partner from “Too Smooth” (later “Sounds from the Underground”) Fresh J filled in as a co-host. Easy’s absence meant that Tone was given a full two hours on the wheels. And, man, was Tone in full promotion mode. Tons of great Trenton acts, special announcements about groups that were to become legendary, and even some MC Serch references. This really is a classic episode.

So, side by side:

Side 1 (10:05-10:48pm)

The show kicks off with some technical difficulties, but Tone steps up to the wheels to kick off his two hours and displays some nice turntable work when he starts things off with Gang Starr’s “Words I Manifest.” From there, he moves into Marky Fresh’s underrated “Mack of Rap” and then hits a couple of Trenton cuts from Too Kool Posse (“Music Makes You Move”) and YZ.

During the first break, Tone pimps an upcoming show for the first of many times. The show sounds like a killer, put on by the Awesome Two in New York City at Quando’s (which was on 9 East 2nd Ave). It featured A Tribe Called Quest, LONS, Freshco and Miz, Robbie B and DJ Jazz, Poor Righteous Teachers in their first NY appearance, and Tony D. When Tone mentions Tribe, he asks G, “Have you heard of those guys?” and G replies that he has but has trouble remembering the name of their first single. Seems weird now, huh?

Among the tracks in the next set are “The Gas Face,” which surprised me not only because they didn’t cut out the repeated “Oh shit”s, but because that was the track that kicked off the Tony D-Serch feud (quick recap: Tone mistook Serch’s dis to “Tony Dick” as a shot at him and then fired back at Serch on vinyl). Debuted on the show is one of my favorite all-time cuts that’s nearly impossible to find, 360 Degrees’ (made up of Prophecy and Gusto) “The Harmony.” Back in December, Tone was selling the EP for $500 on eBay.

Side 2 (10:49-11:35pm)

Some great banter on this side (“Lance, Lance with the dookey stain pants”). Tone hints at a possible “Serch vs. Tony Part 2″ and the upcoming New York show (“If Serch comes…”).

Also on this side, a Tony D-voiced ad for the “Sound of Trenton” record store, an 8-minute anti-apartheid song with Black Rock and Ron, Brand Nubian, and many others (can’t find what this song might be — any help?), the premiere of “Listen to Me Brother,” and more Tony D, Blvd. Mosse, and PRT goodness.

Side 3 (11:35pm-12:15am)

At the end of the night, Tone debuts a new track with PRT that didn’t even have a name yet (it later became “Can I Start This?” and kicked off PRT’s Holy Intellect). They also play the top track in their new countdown and close out the show with some funny back and forth between Tone and Fresh J before it kicks into Fresh J’s “Too Smooth” underground house show.

]]> http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/09/remembering-tony-d-club-crush-february-8-1990/feed/ 2 42:56 This week, I searched and searched for the oldest tape I had of WPRB's "Club Crush." It's from 1989 and features some great banter ... This week, I searched and searched for the oldest tape I had of WPRB's "Club Crush." It's from 1989 and features some great banter between Easy M, G, and Tony D, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to find it. However, I have what may be a better episode for this week of tributes to Tony D. This episode is from February 8, 1990. Easy M was off DJing a party somewhere in Jersey, so his partner from "Too Smooth" (later "Sounds from the Underground") Fresh J filled in as a co-host. Easy's absence meant that Tone was given a full two hours on the wheels. And, man, was Tone in full promotion mode. Tons of great Trenton acts, special announcements about groups that were to become legendary, and even some MC Serch references. This really is a classic episode. So, side by side: Side 1 (10:05-10:48pm) The show kicks off with some technical difficulties, but Tone steps up to the wheels to kick off his two hours and displays some nice turntable work when he starts things off with Gang Starr's "Words I Manifest." From there, he moves into Marky Fresh's underrated "Mack of Rap" and then hits a couple of Trenton cuts from Too Kool Posse ("Music Makes You Move") and YZ. During the first break, Tone pimps an upcoming show for the first of many times. The show sounds like a killer, put on by the Awesome Two in New York City at Quando's (which was on 9 East 2nd Ave). It featured A Tribe Called Quest, LONS, Freshco and Miz, Robbie B and DJ Jazz, Poor Righteous Teachers in their first NY appearance, and Tony D. When Tone mentions Tribe, he asks G, "Have you heard of those guys?" and G replies that he has but has trouble remembering the name of their first single. Seems weird now, huh? Among the tracks in the next set are "The Gas Face," which surprised me not only because they didn't cut out the repeated "Oh shit"s, but because that was the track that kicked off the Tony D-Serch feud (quick recap: Tone mistook Serch's dis to "Tony Dick" as a shot at him and then fired back at Serch on vinyl). Debuted on the show is one of my favorite all-time cuts that's nearly impossible to find, 360 Degrees' (made up of Prophecy and Gusto) "The Harmony." Back in December, Tone was selling the EP for $500 on eBay. Side 2 (10:49-11:35pm) Some great banter on this side ("Lance, Lance with the dookey stain pants"). Tone hints at a possible "Serch vs. Tony Part 2" and the upcoming New York show ("If Serch comes..."). Also on this side, a Tony D-voiced ad for the "Sound of Trenton" record store, an 8-minute anti-apartheid song with Black Rock and Ron, Brand Nubian, and many others (can't find what this song might be -- any help?), the premiere of "Listen to Me Brother," and more Tony D, Blvd. Mosse, and PRT goodness. Side 3 (11:35pm-12:15am) At the end of the night, Tone debuts a new track with PRT that didn't even have a name yet (it later became "Can I Start This?" and kicked off PRT's Holy Intellect). They also play the top track in their new countdown and close out the show with some funny back and forth between Tone and Fresh J before it kicks into Fresh J's "Too Smooth" underground house show. 1990,,1990s,,Hip-Hop,,House,,Radio,,Remembering,Tony,D,,WPRB normalbias-org@laze.net no No Remembering Tony D: Some Videos http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/08/remembering-tony-d-some-videos/ http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/08/remembering-tony-d-some-videos/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:50:55 +0000 laze http://www.normalbias.org/?p=115 Props to Rock the Dub for linking up this great promotional (?) video with Tony D that I’d never seen before. It also reminded how much I loved the “Check the Elevation” video (how is that one not on YouTube?).

Here’s a recent one of Tone talking about his production credits:

And if you haven’t seen it, his video from a year or two ago, “The Boss is the Boss”:

]]> http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/08/remembering-tony-d-some-videos/feed/ 1 Remembering Tony D: Bobbie Fine (B. Fine)’s Tribute http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/07/remembering-tony-d-bobbie-fine-b-fines-tribute/ http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/07/remembering-tony-d-bobbie-fine-b-fines-tribute/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:00:14 +0000 laze http://www.normalbias.org/?p=104 (This is a guest post by Bobbie Fine aka B. Fine from The Funk Family, who had a very close relationship with Tony D through the years.)

I’ve made so many relationships and formed so many close bonds with so many really good people in the music industry but not very many can compare to the love and respect I have for my friend, mentor and big brother Tony D.

My other big brother from another mother YZ introduced me to Tone a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away called Ewing NJ. He took me to Tone’s when I was about 14 before we worked on the Sons of the Father album. I spit something for Tone and he was like we gotta do an album on you too! Knowing his rep as a dope DJ and the songs him and Z were coming up with I was bugging that he thought I was nice let alone record an album with him.

I recorded my very first full songs at his mom house called “I’m the Principal” and from there we made so many really good records. Some got shine, most of them were overshadowed by label politics and bullshit but definitely left a great impression on Jersey as well as the world.

When we worked on the Funk Family project in ’91, Tone was one of the people who convinced me that I could be a star. He gave me some of his hottest tracks and I remember the feeling I got when we recorded each of them as feeling free and that we were doing something amazing that would change hip-hop. I always welcomed the opportunity to go verse for verse with Tone. I knew that even though he loved making beats he was a true Emcee at heart and we did some classics together like “Lose’em” & “Dummy Move.”

All throughout my career, even when I started making beats for myself, Tony said go for it and honestly, I merely considered myself a beat maker until he gave me the thumbs up. Tone has always been my measuring stick for music. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him because he kept me focused always believed in me even when I didn’t. I wouldn’t know as much as I know about this industry and the reason why I should stay true to myself as an artist even if it means you aren’t number one on Billboard because of him.

His legacy is deep from YZ, PRT, Blvd Mosse, Suicide Posse, Black Prince & Asiatic, Too Kool Posse, Crusaders for Real Hip-Hop, Shawn Lov, Kaaos, Scott Lark, Unfound Flavors, Almighty & KD Ranks, Mo Flex, The Funk Family, Baby Chill & the Secret Squirrels, Blaque Spurm, Sworn Secrecy and so many other dope Jersey MCs. He was a pioneer and his sound is the blueprint for the J-Dilla’s (RIP), Mad Libs and 9th Wonders of today. Didn’t matter that he was just a cool ass Italian cat from Trenton, he was our big homie that blew our minds every time he tapped the SP1200 or MPC and I will always be grateful for having him in my life.

I miss you already big bro. RIP!

(ETA: Be sure to check out Rock the Dub’s interview with Bobbie Fine.)

]]> http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/07/remembering-tony-d-bobbie-fine-b-fines-tribute/feed/ 4 Remembering Tony D: Do the Whino http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/07/remembering-tony-d-do-the-whino/ http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/07/remembering-tony-d-do-the-whino/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:30:43 +0000 laze http://www.normalbias.org/?p=96 Here’s a short mp3 from 1993 that Tone sent me a couple of years ago titled “Do the Whino.” It features him along with LA Law and Low Key and sounds like either a radio or studio freestyle.

]]> http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/07/remembering-tony-d-do-the-whino/feed/ 0 1:42 Here's a short mp3 from 1993 that Tone sent me a couple of years ago titled "Do the Whino." It features him along with ... Here's a short mp3 from 1993 that Tone sent me a couple of years ago titled "Do the Whino." It features him along with LA Law and Low Key and sounds like either a radio or studio freestyle. 1990s,,1993,,Demo,,Hip-Hop,,Remembering,Tony,D normalbias-org@laze.net no No Remembering Tony D: Around the Web http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/06/remembering-tony-d-around-the-web/ http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/06/remembering-tony-d-around-the-web/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:51:07 +0000 laze http://www.normalbias.org/?p=101 Though the media coverage of Tony D’s death has been weak, Tony’s being remember from around the web. Here’s a list of some tributes, which I’ll add to as I come across more:

]]> http://www.normalbias.org/2009/04/06/remembering-tony-d-around-the-web/feed/ 5