Author Topic: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...  (Read 769 times)

jeromechickenbone

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Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« on: September 09, 2007, 06:40:03 PM »
Anybody heard about this? 



"Introduction: 17 years ago a small recording studio, TOP SHELF, located in the basement of a brownstone in the East Village section of New York, was looted during the Thompkins Square riots of 1988, displacing the recordings of many soon-to-be Hip Hop stars. The studio had been the meeting place for many rappers, neighborhood kids, and producers that would later be responsible for the greatest period of the Hip Hop age, "The Golden Era." A search commenced soon after the recordings were lost, but nothing was ever found. So sought after were the tapes, they soon acheived Holy Grail status amongst Hip Hop circles. Despite years of searching, and dozens of hopeless crusades, the tapes remained lost. No one was quite sure who took them or where they were... until now.

After an extensive investigation and search that lasted two years, the recordings have finally been recovered by Fab 5 Freddy and myself (Benjy Grinberg). They were found dozenss of miles from the site of TOP SHELF in an abandoned strage faciilty in North Jersey. ...We sought after the lost recordings of TOP SHELF because they were rumored to be among the hottest songs from that era, and we thought it was a tragedy that the world never got to hear them. It turns out that these two-inch tapes are truly a treasure chest--a time capsule of the energy and excitement of 1988 Hip Hop."


Fab 5 Freddy - “Intro”
Black Sheep - “I’m The One”
Big Daddy Kane - “Like That, Y’all”
Biz Markie - “My Name Is…”
MC Lyte - “Listen Up”
Grand Puba - “Let’s Go”
Smooth B Of Nice & Smooth - “I Want My Money Back”
Graig G - “Catch A Lyrical Beatdown”
Chubb Rock - “Chubb Rocks The Party”
Special Ed - “This Mic”
Doug E Fesh - “It Ain’t Nothin”
Jungle Brothers - “Back In The Jungle”
Just Ice - “I Run The Streets”
Melle Mel & Grandmaster Caz - “The Battle Is On”
Master Ace - “Revolution’s ‘Bout To Start”


Now the rampant speculation is that this album isn't indeed from 1988, but rather a new compilation.  Top to bottom some of the top artists in the game from the Golden Era.  I'm DLing right now, so I'll let you know what I think.  But everything I've read / heard has been extremely positive.  But I think it's a cool as story to introduce this album this way.

It was only released in Japan and it's supposedly sold out already.  Anyway, if yall heard anything, let me know.
« Last Edit: September 09, 2007, 06:41:45 PM by Jrome Is Officially Voting for Ron Paul 2008! »
 

NotoriousTDA

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Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2007, 08:34:49 PM »
looks dope!
 

eazye

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Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2007, 01:34:18 AM »
Interesting story and a very good tracklisting.Let us know what you thought of it Jrome
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/iQYKq2uupz8" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/iQYKq2uupz8</a>
 

ToOoOoN!!!

Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2007, 01:59:40 AM »
do you know why it was only released in Japan ?
 

sniperuk

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Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2007, 02:14:18 AM »
do you know why it was only released in Japan ?
i think copyright or publishing laws dont apply their, thats why daz still puts out albums with deathrow songs on em like dpgc the remixes, or gotti n dillinger last ofthe pound.
 

ToOoOoN!!!

Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2007, 02:49:53 AM »
do you know why it was only released in Japan ?
i think copyright or publishing laws dont apply their, thats why daz still puts out albums with deathrow songs on em like dpgc the remixes, or gotti n dillinger last ofthe pound.

props thx for info
 

cyence

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Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2007, 07:51:28 AM »
This definately aint from 88. You can tell from the Kane song, he sounds like the 2008 Kane and not the 1988 Kane. Plus everybody just happens to be shouting "88" and "top shelf" throughout the album, what a coinsidence. But it's a dope album though with a nice concept and throwback beats. My fav joints are the Biz, Puba and JB songs

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=206LN9G3
 

Oklin

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Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2007, 08:59:48 AM »
Check it out: http://www.discogs.com/release/1065161

Jrome can you post a link for the album?

EDIT: Nevermind, found a rapidshare link for it.. if anyone needs it, then send a pm
« Last Edit: September 10, 2007, 09:06:12 AM by Jakob with a K (Oklin) »
 

jeromechickenbone

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Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2007, 11:57:04 AM »
This album is fucking amazing.  It is exactly what it should be.  This is 10 outta 10 from me, no lie.  Some of my fav MC's of all time, and they are all in vintage form here.  But yeah, I'm 90% sure that these joints were recently recorded.  It's even more impressive that they made sure and tried to make references to that time frame in shit.

Such a dope, original concept.  Real shit right here fellas...

I'll find the blog that has the link...
 

ToOoOoN!!!

Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #9 on: September 10, 2007, 12:11:15 PM »
we all need to hear that shit  8)
 

ToOoOoN!!!

Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2007, 12:29:17 PM »
I GOT A  LINK FOR Y'ALL

http://rs111.rapidshare.com/files/52109416/VA_-_Top_Shelf_8-8-88.zip

STRAIGHT JACKIN' FROM THE SOHH FORUM 8)
« Last Edit: September 10, 2007, 12:32:45 PM by FUNKY ASS TONY »
 

eazye

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Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #11 on: September 10, 2007, 01:59:42 PM »
Props to Jrome for bringin' this to our attention, to all the guys who provided info and to TONY for the link  8)
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/iQYKq2uupz8" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/iQYKq2uupz8</a>
 

NotoriousTDA

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Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2007, 02:21:45 PM »
I GOT A  LINK FOR Y'ALL

http://rs111.rapidshare.com/files/52109416/VA_-_Top_Shelf_8-8-88.zip

STRAIGHT JACKIN' FROM THE SOHH FORUM 8)

TONY TOKA!!! Props playa
 

QuietTruth

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Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #13 on: September 10, 2007, 02:48:49 PM »
 

Oklin

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Re: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit...
« Reply #14 on: September 11, 2007, 10:47:27 AM »
This got some dope tracks indeed.. And I belive they are new recordings too.. If they really are from '88 I believe they've been remastered..