2015 marks a very important milestone for A Tribe Called Quest, one of hip-hop’s greatest and most influential groups. 25 years ago, deep in the creative vortex of hip-hop’s Golden Age, Q-Tip, Phife, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi released their debut: People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.
Taking root from seeds planted by their Native Tongues predecessors the Jungle Brothers and De La Soul, Tribe added multiple new chapters to the house of hip-hop that year, in a trajectory that kept them at the top of rap fans’ Top 5 lists for the better part of a decade. Their impact is still felt today, in artists ranging from Kanye West and Pharrell to Joey Bada$$ and Kendrick Lamar.
The group wasn’t always serious and weren’t always in goof-around mode, but both ends of the spectrum were never far from the surface, as heard throughout their wide-eyed debut. In later years they would keep the same ebullience but develop an even more sophisticated and innovative sound, proving themselves to be true pioneers in the rap game. In many ways they were also hip-hop’s moral compass – not perfect and not claiming to be, but always striving to be better. And, most of all, making sure to entertain and enlighten their fans. In the process, as they begat hit after hit, they helped to bring hip-hop to an even wider global audience.
Songs on this reissue literally run the gamut, from fun and funky (the hits “I Left My Wallet In El Segundo” and “Can I Kick It?”) to flirty and infectious (“Bonita Appelbum”), in addition to mixing in non-preachy social messages, as on “Push It Along” (about staying positive in a chaotic world) and “Pubic Enemy” (about STDs and the importance of safe sex). Deeper album cuts like “Luck Of Lucien” and “Youthful Expression” show wisdom beyond their years, going beyond brags to explore personal relationships and days in their own lives. With soul- and jazz-inflected, expertly constructed beats to propel their words and thoughts, it was an unmistakably powerful combination.
Lyrically Q-Tip and Phife played off each other perfectly, which is not surprising considering that they had been friends since elementary school. Ali Shaheed masterfully manned the decks, while adding crucial audio seasoning to production. And Jarobi, who would later become a professional chef, was the secret ingredient early-on, pushing the group along in the studio and adding energy to their early live shows.
Presented in this very special “45s Box” edition, the 16 sides here – with a sequence set in collaboration with the group – are not in exact order of the original album sequence. “Luck Of Lucien,” for instance, has been re-created as a two part suite in this edition. And “Footprints” moves from earlier-on, to the final side.
Additionally, there is one rare bonus song, “If The Papes Come,” which was the B-Side to the “Can I Kick It?” single. Also, three songs here – “Pubic Enemy”; “Go Ahead In The Rain”; and “Description Of A Fool” – were only included on CD and Cassette pressings of the original album, not the original LP. All songs in this new pressing have been remastered by legendary engineer Bob Power, who engineered and/or mixed all five of the group’s albums, in addition to many other hitmakers of the era.
Beyond the audio, Get On Down – in full collaboration with A Tribe Called Quest – has again gone above and beyond on their packaging, housing the set in a 360-degree artwork-wrapped, fabric-covered 45 carrying case, with vibrant imagery taken off the original LP on all sides, and the group’s early logo plastered across the carrying case’s sturdy interior. It will turn heads anywhere you take it, before the needle ever hits the wax.
A Tribe Called Quest remains one of the most innovative and influential hip-hop groups of all time, influencing every producer and MC who came in their wake, and remaining in heavy rotation on fan playlists to this day. This unique set is the perfect way to celebrate their legacy in this Anniversary year, on the vinyl format which ruled 25 years ago, when the group first took the world by storm.
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST PEOPLE’S INSTINCTIVE TRAVELS “45s BOX” TRACK LISTING:
45 #1
“Push It Along” [4:32]
“Luck of Lucien, Pt. 1” [4:02]
45 #2
“Luck Of Lucien, Pt. 2” [3:03]
“After Hours” [4:39]
45 #3
“I Left My Wallet In El Segundo” [4:06]
“Pubic Enemy” [3:45] [on original CD and Cassette, not LP – B-Side of “I Left My Wallet In El Segundo 12”]
45 #4
“Bonita Applebum” [3:49]
“Mr. Muhammad” [3:34]
45 #5
“Can I Kick It?” [4:13]
“If The Papes Come” [4:14] [not on original album – B-Side of “Can I Kick It?” 12”]
45 #6
“Rhythm (Devoted To The Art Of Moving Butts)” [4:02]
“Youthful Expression” [4:57]
45 #7
“Ham ‘N’ Eggs” [5:27]
“Go Ahead In The Rain” [3:54] [on original CD and Cassette, not LP – only included on CD and cassette versions of the album]
45 #8
“Description Of A Fool” [5:41] [on original CD and Cassette, not LP – from group’s first 12”, released in 1989]
“Footprints” [4:00]
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