VA – Big Apple Rappin’ (2xCD) (2006) (FLAC + 320 kbps)

Covering the first few years of recorded hip-hop, Big Apple Rappin’ is not mapped out in a way to stake claim as a definitive compilation. It contains a handful of well-known old-school singles, such as Spoonie Gee’s “Spoonin’ Rap” and Cold Crush Brothers’ “Weekend,” but all told, it’ll appeal most to hip-hop fans who have only the basics. For hip-hop neophytes and younger listeners who were born too late, it might be like jumping into an advanced class, but the whole thing is too fun to make you feel lost. The younger listeners — especially those who have heard all sorts of purist accusations leveled at Puff Daddy and his descendants for the lifting of entire songs for new hits — might be surprised by what they hear. Compared to modern hip-hop, the songs might sound archaic and practically novelty-like, and that’s because they are precisely that. With rare exception, this set is made of basic and one-dimensional rhymes over replayed disco hits (including Cheryl Lynn’s “Got to Be Real,” Taana Gardner’s “Heartbeat,” and Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough”); Masterdon Committee’s “Funkbox Party,” in fact, is the only selection that makes use of a drum machine. However, the infectious exuberance on display through the whole thing, along with the knowledge of how this culture would continue to develop, more than makes up for whatever misgivings you might have toward the simplicity of it all. Amidst the MCs’ talk of their own greatness, how they’ll make you want to get down, and their many nicknames and why they deserve them, it would be easy to lose sight of Brother D and Collective Efforts’ “How We Gonna Make the Black Nation Rise?,” one of the first tracks to accept the torch from the Last Poets and Watts Prophets: “Blessed are we who dare to be free, we gotta change the way we behave/You gotta sacrifice for a righteous cause, or remain a passive slave.” This is one of the most respectfully packaged hip-hop compilations, balancing familiar with forgotten goods, and the information-stuffed booklet — true to the Soul Jazz label’s usual standard — is a real plus.

Tracklist:

CD1:
01 Spoonin Gee – Spoonin’ Rap
02 Xanadu – Sure Shot
03 Brother “D”* With Collective Effort – How We Gonna Make The Black Nation Rise?
04 General Echo – Rapping Dub Style
05 T/Ski Valley – Catch The Beat
06 Universal 2 – Dancing Heart
07 Masterdon Committee, The – Funkbox Party
08 Cold Crush Brothers – Weekend

Download CD1:

FLAC – Wayshare

320 kbps – Wayshare

CD2:
01 Spyder D – Big Apple Rappin’
02 Mr. Q – DJ Style
03 Fly Guys – Fly Guy Rap
04 Solo Sound – Get The Party Jumpin’
05 Jamaica Girls – Rock The Beat
06 Super 3 – When You’re Standing On The Top
07 T.J. Swann / Peewee Mel / Barry B – Are You Ready
08 Nice & Nasty 3 – The Ultimate Rap

Download CD2:

FLAC – Wayshare

320 kbps – Wayshare