'We Got the Jazz': A Week with 'The Low End Theory'

Hip-hop is largely unexplored territory for me. I'm familiar with a lot of stuff that's been on the radio for the past 20-ish years, and I've picked up the occasional album here and there, but as far as a working knowledge of what is good and great in the world of rap: I am at a loss. When I look at lists of all-time greatest hip-hop albums, I'm lucky if I've heard even one or two songs from those albums, let alone the records as a whole. So when it was suggested to make A Tribe Called Quest's 1991 LP, 'The Low End Theory' this week's album, I was excited to delve into what is considered one of the greatest hip-hop LPs of all time.

After a week with this record and 13 listens, I can honestly say this is the best hip-hop album I've had the pleasure to listen to (which to be fair isn't that many). I think what has proved to be a roadblock for me in the past with hip-hop is lyrics. For the majority of my listening life, I haven't been a lyrics person and with so much of the enjoyment of hip-hop being solely based on lyrics; it never really struck a cord with me. (Quick Aside: Spending time with and thinking about lyrics has been one of my favorite parts of The Locked Groove thus far. It's something that, for one reason or another, I never paid much attention to before and I'm really starting to enjoy this it). So spending a week listening to this record has really helped me appreciate that aspect of hip-hop, and I couldn't have asked for better album to do it with. 

A Tribe Called Quest (as they appear on this record) are Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, who handle rapping duties, and DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad; along with various guests. Q-Tip and Phife have a wonderful vocal interplay that bounces extremely well off of one another. Q-Tip has a more mellow, laid back, and almost philosophical style ('abstract' as he calls it) while Phife is more energetic, straightforward, and down to earth. They both have tracks where they rhyme separately but when they are together, like Check the Rhime or Jazz (We've Got), that is when the group really shines. As far as content of their lyrics, it is a very positive record: all about being who you are, doing what you do, and not worrying about what others may think of you. Also girls. And shady record label executives. Going into the week I was expecting a more dour (or at least serious and "hard") record lyrically, but 'The Low End Theory' is a lot of fun; joyful even. It's a celebration of life and doing what you love and even though I grew up in different circumstances and I was 4 years old when it came out, I can relate to and appreciate a lot of the themes of the record.

Beneath Q-Tip and Phife's amazing rhyming is a rock solid production. A Tribe Called Quest's beats and sampling on this record are flawless. While many of the beats may seem quite simple at first, they reveal themselves to be a perfect foundation for some excellent rhyming. Loud crisp drum beats, great bass, and the jazz sample loops that Tribe use all combine perfectly into auditory experiences that are impossible not to bob your head along to. The use of samples on almost every track also helps Tribe to draw the line between the two musical forms of hip-hop and jazz. The album opens with Q-Tip rapping that his father says that hip-hop reminds him of "be-bop" and they use the rest of the record to illustrate that point; highlighting the importance of rhythm and improvisation in both art forms. Each track has intricacies that after multiple listens make you realize just how much work and skill it takes to make a record like this. The fact that Tribe make it seem like its no big thing is a testament to their skill. 

There really isn't a dud on the record. I suppose tracks like The Infamous Date Rape and Skypager (the only song that really dates the record seeing as it is an ode to pagers) aren't as rock solid as some others; but they serve their purpose in the flow of the record and it would be worse off with them missing. As far as standouts, I mentioned Check the Rhime and Jazz (We've Got) above and I will add Buggin' Out, with its outstanding opening verse by Phife, and What?, which has Q-Tip delivering hilarious one-liners over an awesomely funky beat. But for me all of these pale in comparison to the closing track, Scenario, which features guest verses from the members of Leaders of the New School (which includes Busta Rhymes). Members of Tribe and New School take turns delivering verses, each one full of great rhymes and rhythms; each building on the momentum of the previous one until it reaches Busta Rhymes' show-stopping verse in which he is both gloriously unhinged and totally in control of his delivery. Words can't really do it justice so, please, have a watch and listen; you'll be a better person for it.



I've enjoyed my week with this record so much more than I thought I would. With each listen, the familiarity builds with the rhymes and the hooks and I'm able to rap and bob along with my favorite parts. It has just become really fun to listen to; more fun than I ever thought I could have listening to a rap album. So whether hip-hop is uncharted waters for you or old hat, if you haven't given 'The Low End Theory' a listen; I highly recommend it. Even if rap is "not your thing", this record has so much to offer lyrically and musically that you'll find something to enjoy. I don't know if this will lead me to become a true hip-hop convert but I do know that this record will be entering regular rotation in my collection, and I hope you all are able to give it a spin and enjoy it as well. It's good. Real good. 

Up Next: My wife suggested that for this coming week I should pick a very popular artist. Somebody that everyone knows well or is at least familiar with; and form a real opinion either way about a legitimate POP star. So she suggested I go with one of the biggest albums of the last few years; a record that has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and produced 5 number one singles: Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream'. I'm going to go with 'The Complete Confection' edition so we can get the full experience. In for a penny, in for a pound, right? It will be an interesting trip I'm sure.