The Low End Theory

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
De La Soul are remembered as the premier Native Tongues posse, those rappers who got low-key, self-consciously thoughtful, and jazzy in the face of gangsta's hardcore threats. But A Tribe Called Quest may have been even stronger, especially on their excellent second album, the bass-thumping, heavily jazz-sampled The Low End Theory. According to the opening "Excursions," rapper Q-Tip's old man says the disc's jazz-rap "reminded him of bebop," and Q calls himself "prominent like Shakespeare." But if Charlie Parker had ever written poetic couplets and backed them with funky-drummer and Ron Carter-on-bass grooves this irresistible, he might have been as big as the Bard and Brother James combined. --David Cantwell

The Low End Theory,A Tribe Called Quest,Jive,Alternative Rap,East Coast Rap,Hip-Hop,Jazz-Rap,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,United States of America

The Low End Theory

Tracks:

Excursions
Buggin' Out
Rap Promoter
Butter
Verses From The Abstract
Show Business
Vibes and Stuff
The Infamous Date Rape
Check The Rhime
Everything Is Fair
Jazz (We've Got)
Skypager
What?
Scenario

Amazon.com essential recording

De La Soul are remembered as the premier Native Tongues posse, those rappers who got low-key, self-consciously thoughtful, and jazzy in the face of gangsta's hardcore threats. But A Tribe Called Quest may have been even stronger, especially on their excellent second album, the bass-thumping, heavily jazz-sampled The Low End Theory. According to the opening "Excursions," rapper Q-Tip's old man says the disc's jazz-rap "reminded him of bebop," and Q calls himself "prominent like Shakespeare." But if Charlie Parker had ever written poetic couplets and backed them with funky-drummer and Ron Carter-on-bass grooves this irresistible, he might have been as big as the Bard and Brother James combined. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews:

Easily a classic!.......2007-05-26

I recently bought this and I'm regretting not buying this earlier! You know, Tribe has, without a doubt, revolutionized rap. For a 1991 album, this doesnt sound very much like in its era, you could place this in any era and it would still feel fresh. The music is perfect, the lyrics are perfect, the flow is perfect, this album is timeless! Each song is filled with so much, and Q-Tip raps so well.

This is a must buy for any rap fan, just like Illmatic.

My Favorite Group of All-Time .......2007-02-14

Giving "The Low End-Theory" anything less than 4 stars is like scuffing at Michaelangelos "The Last Judgement" in the Sistine Chapel. I mean, I wonder if people actually got a hold of a chopped and screwed version of this masterwork. The only other reasonable explanation is the manufacturers messed up and placed a Vanilla Ice record inside the album cover. There is a reason why "The Low-End Theory" received the impossible to get 5 mics in the source. They released back to back to back classics in a span of 3-4 years, ranked #154 in Rolling Stones Greatest albums of all-time, ranked #32 in Spins greatest albums of the 1990's, received extreme critical acclaim from every major JAZZ critics poll, and is brought to the forefront as one of the greatest hip hop records ever in any hip hop discussion. Not bad for the worst group ever with foul lyrics and no roots in jazz.

So why the hell is A Tribe Called Quest so popular. In three words, "Beats, Rhymes, Life". This album is a consummate link between the jazz and hip hop generation showing that they originate from the same center, as displayed in the amazing "Excursions". It also displays the growth of a young and hungry Phife Dawg becoming a star lyricist rather than a sidekick in the shadows as exemplified in "Buggin' Out" and "Butter". "Show Business" is one of the greatest songs that attacks major labels which signs acts and crosses them over because they don't have respect for real hip hop. The videos for arguably the three greatest singles on any hip hop record, "Check The Rhime" "Jazz" and "Scenario" were so groundbreakingly fresh that their ideas are still being jacked by video makers todays. Who can forget Busta Rhymes breakthrough performance.

Overall, this album captures everything great about hip hop and what it used to be. I could quote lyrics on this album all day. I could rave about the creative use of sampling and chances Tribe took to risk ridicule or alienation. Tribe is popular because they were able to connect with their fanbase that so many bubblegum critics and so-called artists could never hold a candle to. So grab a Q-Tip and clean your ears out because "The Low-End Theory" is timeless music. As a poetic Q-Tip once said, "I love my young nation" - and it loves him back.

one of the worst groups ever.......2007-02-04

I love hip hop and I love jazz, but a tribe called quest has roots in neither. Just because you have some vibes and flutes in the music doesn't make it "jazz influenced". Their rapping (especially q-tip's) is extremely symmetrical, showing absolutely no relationship to jazz whatsoever. I mean, how many times can you rhyme "hip-hop" to "bebop"? This is one of the worst cd's I've ever bought. I'd rather recommend Aceyalone for capturing the true innovative spirit of jazz and using it in his hip hop. I just don't understand why a tribe called quest is so popular...perhaps the only interesting part of the album is hearing Ron Carter lay down some great bass lines, but it can't save this extremely lame cd. I've never heard a more boring hip hop album.

It's like Butter Baby!.......2006-11-14

Second classic in a row from the Tribe. Great fusion of Jazz, Rap and the great chemistry of Q-Tip and Phife Diggy.

Standout Tracks:
All of them.
Check it out!

This album provides some of Hip Hops intelligent rhythms and fun lyrics........2006-09-22

Got to love Q and Phife! I grew up hearing and watching them as well as our other forefathers of hip hop. One thing that makes an album good is the ability to be so complex that one can listen to it over and over and never get bored with the songs such as theirs. If you dig the Roots, Digital Planets, Black Eyed Peas, or any other hip-hop group that has the slightest tinge of jazz to it, you have "The Low End Theory" to thank. Ali Shaheed Muhammed fuses up-beat hip-hop with funky jazz, and must of felt real good when he was finished. But it's not like this album was simply influential and not essential, or that it's solely revolutionary in one sense and not able to stand on its own in others.

All through the album the beats are deep and the bass is funky without being overbearing. There are a few tracks that are less than superb, but the album is still great. "Buggin' Out," "Butter," "Rap Promoter," "Rhymes and Stuff," "Jazz," and "Scenario" are all perfect. All these tracks either have your heads nodding, hips shaking, and minds working. The way the music matches Q-tips rhymes flawlessly always astounds me and Phife's lyrics keep the beat going.

Q-Tip and Phife are two of the most skilled lyricists and MCs of all time, and their vocal contributions to Ali's beats do nothing but enhance them. This album stands out as their finest. For those who do not listen to hip hop, this would be an excellent choice for a "symbol" rap album. I know few who have failed to be satisfied, and most are mesmerized. As for rap fans, none should be allowed to call themselves a hip hop head if they do not already have this laying around your rack/desk/or shelf.

Average customer rating:

The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
Manufacturer: Bmg/Jive
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Rap & Hip-Hop | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000AVTO6
Release Date: 2003-09-08

Tracks:

Excursions
Buggin' Out
Rap Promoter
Butter
Verses From the Abstract
Show Business
Vibes and Stuff
Infamous Date Rape
Check the Rhime
Everything Is Fair
Jazz (We've Got)
Skypager
What?
Scenario

Average customer rating:

Low End Theory
Low End Theory
Manufacturer: Eulogy Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005Y9L8
Release Date: 1999-12-14

Tracks:

Ten Paces at a Time
Direction to Limitations
Afterglow
Landslide Perceptions
Celebrate Endings
Nighttime Farewell

Ex Number Five Vs. The Low End Theory: The F-17 Project

Average customer rating:

alf vs the captain, garden gnome vs garbage man

Ex Number Five Vs. The Low End Theory: The F-17 Project
Ex Number Five & The Low End Theory
Manufacturer: Ferret Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005Y94A
Release Date: 2000-02-17

Customer Reviews:

alf vs the captain, garden gnome vs garbage man.......2004-11-09

ex 5 covered dag nasty's "am i safe", tlet covered smashing pumpkins, which is always better than moondoggie.

Average customer rating:

Low End Theory

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000I2K7P8
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Average customer rating:

Low End Theory
Low End Theory
Manufacturer: Eulogy Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00004SAYR
Release Date: 2000-03-13

The Low End Theory (+1 bonus track - JAPANESE IMPORT)

Average customer rating:

The Low End Theory (+1 bonus track - JAPANESE IMPORT)
A Tribe Called Quest
Manufacturer: Avex Trax Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Rap & Hip-Hop | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000005ROL
Release Date: 2000-05-02

Tracks: