Author Topic: Top Shelf: 8/8/88 - this is some mysterious shit... (Read 543 times)

jeromechickenbone · « **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.

NotoriousTDA · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2007, 08:34:49 PM »

looks dope!

eazye · « **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

ToOoOoN!!! · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2007, 01:59:40 AM »

do you know why it was only released in Japan ?

sniperuk · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2007, 02:14:18 AM »

Quote from: FUNKY ASS TONY on September 10, 2007, 01:59:40 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!!! · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2007, 02:49:53 AM »

Quote from: sniperuk on September 10, 2007, 02:14:18 AM

Quote from: FUNKY ASS TONY on September 10, 2007, 01:59:40 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 · « **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 · « **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

jeromechickenbone · « **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!!! · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2007, 12:11:15 PM »

we all need to hear that shit

ToOoOoN!!! · « **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

eazye · « **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

NotoriousTDA · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2007, 02:21:45 PM »

Quote from: FUNKY ASS TONY 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

TONY TOKA!!! Props playa

QuietTruth · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2007, 02:48:49 PM »

Quote from: FUNKY ASS TONY 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

Propz.

Oklin · « **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..

jeromechickenbone · « **Reply #15 on:** September 11, 2007, 07:01:41 PM »

Quote from: Jakob with a K (Oklin) 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..

Yeah they're clear as hell - IF they're from 88 (which I don't believe) they are def remastered. But even some of the production style is too advanced for 88. I mean Black Sheep wasn't even around in 88, and they're name checkin "Top Shelf 88" on a couple joints.

I fuckin love this album.

Oklin · « **Reply #16 on:** September 11, 2007, 11:08:04 PM »

Quote from: Jrome Is Officially Voting for Ron Paul 2008! on September 11, 2007, 07:01:41 PM

Quote from: Jakob with a K (Oklin) 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..

Yeah they're clear as hell - IF they're from 88 (which I don't believe) they are def remastered. But even some of the production style is too advanced for 88. I mean Black Sheep wasn't even around in 88, and they're name checkin "Top Shelf 88" on a couple joints.

I fuckin love this album.

But why would they do this album and only release it in Japan?

SP0RTY · « **Reply #17 on:** September 11, 2007, 11:51:28 PM »

props gonna check this out

jeromechickenbone · « **Reply #18 on:** September 14, 2007, 10:38:26 PM »

Quote from: Jakob with a K (Oklin) on September 11, 2007, 11:08:04 PM

Quote from: Jrome Is Officially Voting for Ron Paul 2008! on September 11, 2007, 07:01:41 PM
Quote from: Jakob with a K (Oklin) 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..

Yeah they're clear as hell - IF they're from 88 (which I don't believe) they are def remastered. But even some of the production style is too advanced for 88. I mean Black Sheep wasn't even around in 88, and they're name checkin "Top Shelf 88" on a couple joints.

I fuckin love this album.
But why would they do this album and only release it in Japan?

I honestly can't say, unless it's got something to do with sample clearance?

I can't quit listening to this album. It came out of nowhere and it's fucking awesome.