Tuesday, May 04, 2004  

"Feelin' downtrodden / Fresh kid turned rotten"

Q-Tip, "Feelin'"
from Kamaal the Abstract (Atlantic, unreleased album)
Fatlip, "What's Up Fatlip?"
from What's Up Fatlip CD single (Delicious Vinyl, 2000)

In 2001, and then 2002, Q-Tip was supposed to have an album come out called Kamaal the Abstract. JazzTimes even put Q on the cover of its March 2002 issue because the album featured jazzbos like Gary Thomas, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Kenny Garrett, and the tracks go for a decidedly "jazzy" feel (i.e., jazz chords over R&B beats). Real instruments rather than samples dominate, and on at least half of the CD Q-Tip sounds more like a Prince imitator than he does Q-Tip. Plus, there's a general sense of import to the album---which means it ain't a whole lot of booty-shakin' fun. So perhaps it's no surprise that Atlantic, smelling nary a whiff of a hit single, canned the album, consigning it to the dustbin of history. Man, the editor of JazzTimes must really feel like a jackass!

Luckily, we have the Internet.

But I have to admit: I don't even like this Q-Tip song that much. I much prefer the first three Tribe albums---Who doesn't? Those LPs are friggin' all-timers---and the singles "Vivrant Thing" and "Breathe & Stop" from Q-Tip's solo debut, Amplified, for which he was accused of selling out by going all flossy: wearing fur coats and penning ghetto-fabulous paeans to the young ladies

Fans of the Roots might dig this cut, however. But I don't really like the Roots, either. I guess I just prefer my hip-hop beats like I dig my ham: canned. I say, "Bring on more bling, Mr. Q!"

So why am I posting this lost Q-Tip track, then? For the kidz, friend, for the kidz.

Here's an in-depth audio interview with Q where the status of the Kamaal CD is addressed.

I hear Q has a new CD coming out soon, but I didn't find info about it on page one of my Google search---and there's no way I'm clicking to page two. Too much work, brother!

For a song I do like---no, Slice, make that LOVE---check out "What's Up Fatlip?" from former Pharcyde rapper Fatlip. And yes, he is wearing a diaper in the photo above and in the video.

I dunno exactly why Lip left Pharcyde after 1995's way-tite Labcabincalifornia---perhaps because he knew they would morph from playful rappers into "conscious" dudes and make the bomb (not da bomb) album Plain Rap in 2000. (And now the OG four are two.)

So many folks are praising Kanye West (who I don't really get quite yet---but I do like that his fave rapper is Mase) for writing anti-bravado anthems that address insecurities, but what about Fatlip? His first--and possibly last---solo tune is all about how lazy and plotless his life is. It's a somewhat sad but damn funny tune. And don't forget: DIAPER!

Bumped off the "Current MP3z" links update on the right since you folks are smart enough to know where the MP3s are on this blog. Also, I want more room to update the ol' Blogodex and give out some more props & links to those of you who make the Blogosphere a fine & dandy place to reside. Keep on FTPin', folks.

Posted by CP | Link |

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