So I picked-up the 2015 edition 2LP of Peoples Instinctive Travels And The Paths of Rhythm, mainly in the hope of getting a nice loud version of ‘Footprints’. This was a dummy move, as it turns out it actually sounds worse than my single vinyl version. Blame not-so-great modern re-mastering, maybe? At least I finally have ‘Go Ahead In The Rain’ on record though…
Anyhoo, it wasn’t a complete wash, since Media Assassin Harry Allen was brought in to pen some wonderful liner notes for this 25th anniversary version:
How is it you can buy ‘collectible’ vinyl versions of every two-bit demo from every MC Joe Six-Pack and DJ Lunchbox from New Jersey in 1992, but this tape has never hit YouTube?
The closest we have are snippets of this other, later demo tape, with early versions of three album cuts and two never-released pieces.
The story of this tape hitting ebay can be found in this 2011 blog post, along with an update where Q-Tip debunks that it’s the first demo: ‘The tribe demo on ebay is not even the 1st one. About 20-30 of those circulated. The original one w/1st bonita is the real.’ Then in 2016, DJ Shadow played the whole of the ‘Native Tongue’ track on BBC Radio (I mean, if anyone could justify dropping almost $900 on a TDK cassette, it’s that Slurpee mixtape guy).
Here, Q-Tip mentions his appearance on Jungle Brother’s ‘The Promo’ from 1989, so perhaps this is the tape that got them signed to Jive? According to Harry’s article, the very first demo was shopped around in 1987 and no one was the slightest bit interested.
In an alternative timeline somewhere, ‘Funky Fire’, ‘Routine’, ‘Dust (My Pal)’ and ‘Native Tongue’ were issued for 2023’s Record Store Day on a black 12-inch single, and all was well for a while.
I’m guessing that the infamous fire of Q-tip’s crib can explain why its hard to obtain ( I remember him mentioning on the Juan Epstein podcast that there was alternative versions of Check the Rhime and Scenario all for ever destroyed.
While we’re on the subject of demo realease4s being available in alternate universes I look forward to getting hold of a copy of the FULL Nas demo inc the as of yet never made available tracks like ‘Top Choice of the Female Persuasion, ‘500 Fahrenheit Degrees’ and other songs as mentioned by Large Professor on his appearance on VladTV
Yeah, that Peoples… 25th anniversary 2LP reissue isn’t the best press, but it’s worth it for Harry Allen’s liner notes so I had to get a copy. Those demo tracks need to surface and be released ASAP! If that alternative RSD universe existed the world would be a better place.
@chyneeze: But they sent them to record labels so there must be a few copies floating about? Also, file ‘Top Choice of the Female Persuasion’ next to Finesse’s ‘Inconsiderate Females’ in the Hilarious Rap Song Titles file.
@P-Double: Not to mention the ‘Bonita’ remix by Pharrell could have been decent if it had good drums.
@Robbie: If I remember correctly LP said that the demo they shopped to record labels only had ‘ Nas Will Prevail’ ‘A Day in the Projects’ and ‘I’m a Villain’, also he did stress in the interview that they are songs from that demo period that have never been leaked or heard before.
@Robbie: Yeah definitely. If only Tribe were able to, or chose to include the demo tracks as bonus joints as opposed to those new remixes at the end, of which I’m indifferent about, to be honest.
Lyrically ILL. – Nas & Large Pro
We Dem Niggaz -Nas Large Pro Tragedy (uses The On The Hill sample)
Top Choice of The Female Persuasion
550 Fahrenheit
On The Ave
Nas Aykineyle G Rap – untitled
Bitch Haters Club
@King of Da Crates: Another one: ‘Takin’ Niggas With Me’ – MF Grimm, B-1, and Freddie Foxxx over a Lord Finesse beat.
@King of da Crates: What is your source for the song titles you’ve listed?, also do you have any links for any of these songs?
@robbie Wow that’s news to me (Takin’ N!ggas With Me). Would LOVE to hear those joints @King Of Da Crates (Mike Nice?)…