Throwback Thursday (9/24/2020)

Today's Throwback Thursday jam is from an album that was released on this day back in 1991. The Low End Theory, the groundbreaking second release from A Tribe Called Quest.

The album was one of the first to truly marry hip-hop and jazz seamlessly. It was a bit of a departure from their debut release as it focused more on a double bass sound, crisp drum sounds along with keyboard in the background (with perfectly placed samples). It was also a breakout for Phife Dawg, after he considered leaving the group because of a diabetes diagnosis.

The sounds are smooth while the lyrics are a great mix of humor and social consciousness. The dual rapping between Phife Dawg and Q-Tip intertwine like a battle between friends.

The two main guests are at different places on the music timeline. Double bassist Ron Carter, Blue Note recording artist (famous for playing along with Lee Morgan, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard and many more) was brought on for one tune as the band wanted a "straight-bass sound). The other significant guest was Busta Rhymes from the band Leaders of the New School. It was seen as a solo breakout for Rhymes.

The tune is "Check The Rhime" and it's gonna take you back. Time to pull this classic out again and explore it from start to finish.