A Tribe Called Quest | Midnight Marauders (LP)

The album Tribe Called Quest wanted to make from the very beginning. It's their most even, consistent album of the original trilogy that also includes People's Instinctive Travels... and the Low End Theory. But in spite of this, or maybe because of it, it's also their most uninteresting. With so many competent tracks, there's no chance for something to stand out above the pack, like "Scenario" did on Low End Theory or "Can I Kick It" did on People's Instinctive Travels. The celebration is there ("Stir It Up"), the jazz drums kick ("Oh My God"), and the stand-up bass dribbles, keeping perfect pace with Q-Tip's unmistakable mic-touch ("Electric Relaxation"). There's even a Native Tongues armistice/reunion with de la Soul ("Awards Tour"). Although it comes together like a seamless tutorial in jazz hip-hop style, it comes together so damn well that it's hard for any one track to excel, cursing the album with consistent quality.

Tracklist

A1        Midnight Marauders Tour Guide
A2        Steve Biko (Stir It Up)
A3        Award Tour
A4        8 Million Stories
A5        Sucka Nigga
A6        Midnight
A7        We Can Get Down
B1        Electric Relaxation
B2        Clap Your Hands
B3        Oh My God
B4        Keep It Rollin'
B5        The Chase, Part II
B6        Lyrics To Go
B7        God Lives Through

*Audio and/or tracklist may vary slightly from the vinyl version.

Label: JIV
Catalog: 41490
Rel. Date: 11/09/1993
UPC: 012414149015

• Released: 11/9/1993
• Format: Vinyl
• Format Detail: LP
• Genre: Rap