The Low End Theory

Rating

Album: The Low End Theory
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Excursions	More Info...
2)	Buggin' Out	More Info...
3)	Rap Promoter	More Info...
4)	Butter	More Info...
5)	Verses from the Abstract	More Info...
6)	Show Business	More Info...
7)	Vibes and Stuff	More Info...
8)	Infamous Date Rape	More Info...
9)	Check the Rhime	More Info...
10)	Everything Is Fair	More Info...
11)	Jazz (We've Got)	More Info...
12)	Skypager	More Info...
13)	What?	More Info...
14)	Scenario	More Info...

Album: The Low End Theory
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Excursions	More Info...
2)	Buggin' Out	More Info...
3)	Rap Promoter	More Info...
4)	Butter	More Info...
5)	Verses from the Abstract	More Info...
6)	Show Business	More Info...
7)	Vibes and Stuff	More Info...
8)	Infamous Date Rape	More Info...
9)	Check the Rhime	More Info...
10)	Everything Is Fair	More Info...
11)	Jazz (We've Got)	More Info...
12)	Skypager	More Info...
13)	What?	More Info...
14)	Scenario	More Info...

Performer Notes

A Tribe Called Quest: Q-Tip, Phife (vocals); Ali Shaheed Muhammed (DJ).
Additional personnel includes: Ms. Vinia, Diamond D., Busta Rhymes, Charlie Brown, Brand Nubian, Lord Jammar, Sadat X (vocals); Ron Carter (bass).
Producers: Skeff Anselm, A Tribe Called Quest.
Engineers include: Bob Power, A Tribe Called Quest, Pete Christensen.
Recorded at Greene Street Studios and Soundtrack Studios, New York, New York.
Personnel: Phife Dawg, Q-Tip (vocals).
DJ: Ali Shaheed Muhammad.
Audio Mixers: A Tribe Called Quest; Bob Power.
Recording information: Battery Studios; Greene Street Studios; Soundtrack Studios.
Photographer: Joe Grant .
Unknown Contributor Roles: Diamond D ; Dinco D.; Lord Jamar; Sadat X; Busta Rhymes; Charlie Brown .
Arranger: A Tribe Called Quest.
With their second album in 1991, they became serious contenders for Public Enemy's (until then) undisputed crown as hip-hop's cultural leaders. However, where their debut was propelled by a disparate array of samples, The Low-End Theory was built on a stricter musical doctrine - its spine provided by bebop jazz. Though jazz-rap crossover would become a staple of popular music in the mid-90s (Gang Starr, Jazzmatazz, etc.), this album played a substantial part in breaking down barriers between genres. Phife Dog and Q-Tip are on great form too, making the most of Quest's energetic production with cool asides and insightful observations ('The Infamous Date Rape', 'Showbusiness').

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.70) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's."

Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.131) - Ranked #154 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "Each time Q-Tip rhymes over Carter's bass lines, the groove just gets deeper."

Spin (9/99, p.136) - Ranked #32 in Spin Magazine's "90 Greatest Albums of the '90s."

Vibe (12/99, p.160) - Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century