Aw naw! As I was compiling gems for my A Tribe Called Quest tribute set tonight, I uncovered this 1999 Phife Dawg release. This jazzy Jay Dee produced gem appeared on a German release and was the B Side to Bend Ova, also produced by Jay Dee. Somehow, for whatever reason, this track didn’t make it onto his album and now it’s hard to find. Enjoy!

I remember when this dropped on 45 back in ’02! I thought this was the most beautiful song ever and couldn’t believe Madlib produced it because it didn’t sound like anything he was doing at the time.  A decade later this joint still sounds beautiful, perfectly deserving of its name. Enjoy!

I’ve always loved to hear Jill Scott rock over the more uptempo joints, something she doesnt do frequently. Here’s a 2003 collaboration that finds her doing just that with producer MJ Cole over a bouncy, near house gem that will definitely make you move. Get MJ Cole’s remix of Gettin’ in the Way HERE

MJ Cole – Perfect Pitch feat Jill Scott

We all knew Phonte was dope after we first heard the Litte Brother’s The Listening. The brother didn’t stop there and has continued on to show us that no matter who his posse is, or what technique he uses to rock the mic, he is one of this generation’s finest. How long has he been nice though? Peep this pre-The Listening gem, of which there are countless others and judge for yourself!

Phonte – Apologies

I linked up with Slakah in ATL maybe 3 years back and he gave me several CDs including this one that features his work on keyboards and programming under his govt name Byram Joseph. This is pre-The Soul Movement, released in 2006, and doesn’t list the individual track’s vocalists which include Mystic, Miranda, Wade O’Brown, Divine Brown, Latoya Patrelli, Julie Crochetiere and Jason Simmons. I dig the vocalist though, who has a Rahsaan Patterson feel and Slakah smooths out this classic, all while preventing it from sounding cheesy

Rock With You (prod Slakah the Beatchild) (Michael Jackson Remake)

Grooveman Spot freaks the classic Common gem even harder than the original, yeah i said it! Not only does he take the original sample used and flip it, he approaches the track in movements and applies some crunchy drums that gives it an even more Hip Hop feel, if that was even possible! A true example of how to remake a classic

Common – R-E-S-U-R-R-E-C-T-I-O-N ’03 (Grooveman Spot Remix)

I’ve been reorganizing my harddrive and running into some real treats! Here’s a 2 disc vinyl rip of beats from each of the producers released after their critically acclaimed underground album. It even includes some instrumentals from Accept Your Own and Be Yourself. Download and enjoy HERE

No I.D. – Super Nova

In 2005, Jazzanova linked up with Common and remixed his current single, Go and made it even sexier than the video for the original, all while keeping it danceable. I completely forgot about this one, but still like it more than the OG and will be returning it to my setlist. How do you think Jazzanova did on the remix?

Common – Go (Jazzanova Remix) feat Joy Denalane

I completely missed out on this, more than likely because I erroneously thought this was Ms.Fat Booty Pt2 featuring Ghostface Killah from Lyricist Lounge 2. Instead it’s a jazzy, dope DJ Spinna remix that deserves more attention. Check it out

Mos Def – Ms. Fat Booty (DJ Spinna Remix)

Not only did Consequence get noticeably removed from the Tribe documentary, it is also exceedingly difficult to locate a picture of all of them together. Nevertheless, with the influx of ATCQ/Native Tongues mixes, I thought it curious that I hadn’t heard this on any of the tributes. An obscure radio joint, I can’t tell you which show it’s from but it’s 8 minutes plus of the Tribe off the head. Enjoy!

ATCQ Freestyle ’96 | Download

A classic case of B-Side wins again as Mos Def connects w/Vinia Mojica over a classic park break. The A-side, The Jump Off pairs Yasiin with Ludacris over a predictable commercial track possibly designed to gain radio play. The flip finds Mos in classic b-boy mode, getting the party started and definitely having fun. It’s interesting how Mos’ music is carbon dated by the feel of his tracks, I doubt we’ll get anything like this going forward, but Mos, ahem, Yasiin is good for flippin the script!

Mos Def – The Magnificent feat Vinia Mojica

Will I Am was the only producer to get 2 entries on BBE’s Beat Generation series. Each release had one standout track that completely shut down the rest of the album. Lost Change had Lay Me Down with Terry Dexter that still bangs to this day and Must Be 21 can boast the infectious Nah Mean featuring the flawless member of ATCQ, Phife. The track, with it’s jazzy, almost bossa feel really sounds like it could’ve enjoyed space on the Sergio Mendes remix project, Timeless Will did later. Enjoy…and don’t forget your late pass

Will.I.Am – Nahh Mean feat Phife