Background:
An influential alternative-rap quartet from South Central Los Angeles, the Pharcyde was formed by MCs/producers Tre "Slimkid" Hardson , Derrick "Fatlip" Stewart , Imani Wilcox , and Romye "Booty Brown" Robinson . Hardson , Wilcox , and Robinson were all dancers and choreographers who met on the L.A. underground club circuit in the late '80s, worked together for a while, and served a stint as dancers on In Living Color. Stewart, meanwhile, performed at local clubs and eventually hooked up with the others in 1990. Under the tutelage of Reggie Andrews, a local high-school music teacher, the group learned about the music industry and the process of recording an album. They landed a deal with Delicious Vinyl in 1991, and a year later released their eccentric debut album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, which went gold. After support slots for De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest as well as a successful spot on Lollapalooza's second stage in 1994, the group released its second album, Labcabincalifornia, which was calmer than their first but no less warped. After a five-year break which saw little action except for the debut of Fatlip as a solo rapper (his single "What's Up Fatlip" became an underground hit), the Pharcyde returned in late 2000 with their third album, Plain Rap. -- Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Background:
Alongside other 90s US acts such as 311 and Rage Against The Machine, Sublime built their reputation by developing a sound which mixed and matched from various traditions, especially rap, ska and rock. The band's profile initially depended on their heavy touring schedule and mesmerising live performances, which helped to build a loyal following among those in the skate and snow-boarding communities - always the group's natural fanbase. Though the group signed to MCA Records subsidiary Gasoline Alley, both of their first two albums were distributed through the independent network. This led to a substantial grassroots following which 1996's self-titled third album looked certain to exploit. However, lead singer Bradley Nowell died of a drugs overdose in May 1996, just four months before its release. After some consideration, it was decided to go ahead with its release, as bass player Eric Wilson told the press. 'We just want the album to do well so that Brad's kid can go to a good school, and so that we can continue to make a living.' In November 1997, previously unreleased songs were included on Second Hand Smoke, which was released as a special limited edition CD in the USA; proceeds from the sale of the CDs went to the US Musicians' Assistance Program, a charity that helps musicians fight drug and alcohol addiction.
Background:
Consisting of four MCs and two DJs, Jurassic 5 is a throwback of sorts, referencing a by-gone era in hip-hop when the only thing that mattered was the music and having fun. In sound, the four MCs Chali 2NA, Zaakir, Akil, and Marc 7 conjure up the dynamic flows of old-school groups like the Cold Crush Brothers and Double Trouble: harmonic convergence, dynamic vocal inflections, and fly b-boy bravado. Jurassic 5's beat-providers, Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark, rock the decks with inventive, original beats that hark back to the true DJ innovators. Between 1991 and 1994, the LA underground was a burgeoning Mecca of hip-hop innovation, possessing a kinetic musical energy and a flare for progressive beats and styles. The members of Jurassic 5 met through the Good Life Caf�, an open-mic space in the heart of South Central Los Angeles' old jazz district. The spot served as a prolific epicenter for a number of different groups, like the Freestyle Fellowship and the Pharcyde, each wearing originality on their sleeves with emblazoned pride. Jurassic 5 formed in 1993 as the union between two crews, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee, who came together to record and release "Unified Rebelution." It was an infectious record that made an indelible impression with true hip-hop heads, quickly becoming a staple on the college radio and mix-show circuit. The success of "Unified Rebelution" cemented a union that would ultimately be Jurassic 5 and, ever since, the group has become one of the most revered new artists to emerge in years.
Background:
Bob Marley And The Wailers are the sole Jamaican group to have achieved global superstar status, together with genuine penetration of world markets. The original group was formed during 1963. After extensive tuition with the great vocalist Joe Higgs, they began their recording career later that year for Coxsone Dodd, although Marley had made two singles for producer Leslie Kong in 1962 'Judge Not' and 'One Cup Of Coffee'. Their first record, 'Simmer Down', released just before Christmas 1963 under the group name Bob Marley And The Wailers, went to number 1 on the JBC Radio chart in January 1964, holding that position for the ensuing two months and reputedly selling over 80,000 copies. During the period 1963-66, the Wailers made over 70 tracks for Dodd, over 20 of which were local hits, covering a wide stylistic base - from cover versions of US soul and doo-wop with ska backing, to the newer, less frantic 'rude-boy' sounds that presaged the development of rocksteady, and including many songs that Marley re-recorded in the 70s. In late 1965, Braithwaite left to go to America, and Kelso and Smith also departed that year. To read more go to Bob Marley�s biography on yahoo music.
Background:
Richard D. James, 18 August 1971, Ireland, but raised in Truro, Cornwall, England. During the 90s James, under a variety of names, has become one of the leading exponents of 'intelligent techno', 'ambient techno' and other terms invented to describe his brand of electronic music. As a child he was not interested in music, but instead amused himself 'making noises and banging on things'; later he began recording his efforts on tape and consequently began building and customizing his own synthesizers. He eventually released the Aphex Twin EP and 'Analogue Bubblebath' on the Exeter-based Mighty Force label in 1991. His breakthrough came the following year when he released 'Didgeridoo' on R&S Records. Much of his work from around this time such as 'Phloam' and 'Isopropanol' was built from incredibly abrasive sounds but a different style by which he became more widely known emerged on the album Selected Ambient Works '85 - '92. In the same year, Warp Records included his 'Polygon Window', credited to the Diceman, on their Artificial Intelligence compilation. This track opened Surfing On Sine Waves which James released the following year under the name Polygon Window as part of Warp's Artificial Intelligence series. Like much of the work on these albums, much of the music sounded quite unique and followed little of the dancefloor trends of the time, but the press soon managed to invent the term 'ambient techno'. The On EP in November 1993 followed his signing to Warp on a permanent basis and the next year he released the eagerly awaited Selected Ambient Works Vol. 2 which was not as well received as its predecessor. In 1995, Aphex Twin released the album I Care Because You Do and the EPs, Ventolin and Donkey Rhubarb and as AFX two Hangable Auto Bulb EPs. These were followed the next year by Richard D. James Album on which his usual combination of caustic noises and forlorn textures were set beside more varied rhythms than usual, showing the influence of drum 'n' bass. Other names under which he has released material include Caustic Window, GAK, Blue Calx and PCP.
Background:
One of the best in the '90s new school of Native Tongue rappers (alongside Common and the Bush Babees), Mos Def guested with old-school Native Tongues De La Soul and recorded for Rawkus Records, the home of independent-minded rap of the 1990s. Born Dante Beze, he began rhyming at the age of nine and formed his first group, Urban Thermo Dynamics (UTD), with his brother and sister. Invited to join the Native Tongues family founded by Afrika Bambaataa and including A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul among its members, Mos Def agreed and appeared on the fourth De La Soul LP, Stakes Is High. He also contributed a verse on the second Bush Babees album, then released his first single "The Universal Magnetic," for the seminal rap independent Rawkus; A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip appeared on his second single, "Body Rock." Mos Def began recording for his debut album (with Talib Kweli), Black Star, released in September 1998. Black on Both Sides followed in the fall of 1999. -- John Bush, All Music Guide
Background:
This pivotal quartet was formed in October 1968 by British guitarist Jimmy Page (b. James Patrick Page, 9 January 1944, Heston, Middlesex, England) following the demise of his former band, the Yardbirds. John Paul Jones (b. John Baldwin, 3 June 1946, Sidcup, Kent, England; bass, keyboards), a respected arranger and session musician, replaced original member Chris Dreja, but hopes to incorporate vocalist Terry Reid floundered on a contractual impasse. The singer unselfishly recommended Robert Plant (b. 20 August 1948, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England), then frontman of struggling Midlands act Hobbstweedle, who in turn introduced drummer John Bonham (b. 31 May 1948, Birmingham, England, d. 25 September 1980), when first choice B.J. Wilson opted to remain with Procol Harum. The quartet gelled immediately and having completed outstanding commitments under the name "New Yardbirds", became Led Zeppelin following a quip by the Who's Keith Moon, who, when assessing their prospects, remarked that they would probably "go down like a lead Zeppelin". They were guided and managed by Peter Grant (b. 5 April 1935, London, England, d. 21 November 1995). He was best known as the heavyweight manager of all UK rock groups, both in size and stauture. Armed with a prestigious contract with Atlantic Records, the group toured the USA supporting Vanilla Fudge prior to the release of their explosive debut, Led Zeppelin, which included several exceptional original songs, including "Good Times, Bad Times", "Communication Breakdown", "Dazed And Confused' - a hangover from the Yardbirds" era - and skilled interpretations of R&B standards "How Many More Times?" and "You Shook Me". The set vied with Jeff Beck's Truth as the definitive statement of English heavy blues/rock, but Page's meticulous production showed a greater grasp of basic pop dynamics, resulting in a clarity redolent of 50s rock 'n' roll. His staggering dexterity was matched by Plant's expressive, beseeching voice, a combination that flourished on Led Zeppelin II. The group was already a headline act, drawing sell-out crowds across the USA, when this propulsive collection confirmed an almost peerless position. The introductory track, "Whole Lotta Love", a thinly veiled rewrite of Willie Dixon's "You Need Love", has since become a classic, while "Livin' Lovin' Maid (She's Just A Woman)" and "Moby Dick", Bonham's exhibition piece, were a staple part of the quartet's early repertoire. Elsewhere, "Thank You" and "What Is And What Should Never Be" revealed a greater subtlety, a factor emphasized more fully on Led Zeppelin III. Preparation for this set had been undertaken at Bron-Y-Aur cottage in Snowdonia (immortalized in "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp"), and a resultant pastoral atmosphere permeated the acoustic-based selections "That's The Way" and "Tangerine". "The Immigrant Song" and "Gallows Pole' reasserted the group's traditional fire and the album's release confirmed Led Zeppelin's position as one of the world"s leading attractions. In concert, Plant's sexuality and Adonis-like persona provided the perfect foil to Page's more mercurial character, yet both individuals took full command of the stage, the guitarist's versatility matched by his singer's unfettered roar. Go to YAHOO's site for more
