If you know me or follow the coldrockdaspot blog then you will definitely know that EPMD and The Hit Squad are at the top list of quality Hip Hop for me, I once did a 3 hour EPMD radio special when they returned with the Back To Business LPin 1997.
I can never get enough of the sound, style and vibe they created and I am mad grateful that I first got exposed to Epee Md (as they first spelt it) in 1987 through The Weds Nite Jam radio show, I remember the first time I heard 'It's My Thing' and on first listen it was the ill helicopter at the beginning, the drum roll and the funky as hell, The Whole Darn Family '7 Minutes of Funk' loop but then the more I listened to it (and it was at least 5 times day ha ha) it was the captivating flows of Erick and Parrish, there was a unique chemistry between the duo and somehow Erick's lisp and raw braggadocio flow was incredibly well suited to PMD's laconic, full of bravado and braggadocio slow flow that was often peppered with a menacing lower vocal tone.
EPMD were and always be Hip Hop and they are responsible for influencing the careers of hundreds over the years, producers and MC's owe so much to what E & P have done for Hip Hop for so many years, There are rumours that a new EPMD is imminent and that's good news, but when the dedicated fans look back we will always remember The Hit Squad era, there was a mystique and certain sound and ultimately vocal and production styles that dominated the Hit Squad's recordings and could never be replaced or duplicated.
I know there have been a few Hit Squad dedication posts in other blogs and they were all dope but this is only just mine and it's in celebration of EPMD's 20 years in the rap game this year!
The following is Volume One of a compilation album I did up made up entirely of the Hit Squad Years 1990-1994,it includes remixes and B-Sides and include some solo Erick Sermon and PMD material as well as Keith Murray even though he came just after the original line up had disbanded and Redman joints from 1994 because he was part of the original line up.
enjoy and please comment if you do, they are always appreciated.
Hit Squad Heist-The Collection 1990-94 Volume one:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TV6R0WMS
1-epmd-hit squad heist (prod: epmd)-1990
2-das_efx-hard like a kriminal (prod: solid scheme)-1993
3-knucklehedz-trouble makas (prod charlie marotta)-1993
4-k_solo-rock bottom (prod: erick sermon)-1992
5-epmd-nobodys safe chump (prod: epmd, co-prod charlie marotta)-1992
6-das_efx-straight from da sewer(prod: solid scheme)-1992
7-k-solo-letterman_(solid_scheme_remix)-1992
8-epmd-manslaughter (prod epmd)-1990
9-knucklehedz_savages_(solid_scheme remix)-1992
10-epmd-brothers from brentwood, l.i.(prod: erick sermon)-1992
11-epmd-underground (prod: epmd)-1990
12-k-solo-the formula (prod: parrish smith)-1992
13-redman-time 4 sum aksion (erick_sermon_remix) -1992
14-epmd - im_mad_(red_man_remix)-1991
15-knucklehedz-all_she_wanted_remix (remix by solid scheme)-1993
16-redman so ruff (prod: erick sermon)-1992
17-top quality-i cant hear you (prod: solid scheme)-1994
17-das_efx_mic checka (solid_scheme remix)-1992
18-epmd ft das efx- cummin' at cha (prod: epmd)-1992
19-epmd-rap is outta control (prod: epmd)-1990
20-k_solo-king of the mountain (prod: sam sneed)-1992
21-redman-a day of sooperman lover(prod: erick sermon)-1992
22-das efx - jussumen (pete rock remix)-1992
23-erick_sermon-stay_real_(remix)-1993
24-knucklehedz-girlies keep screamin (prod: charlie marotta)-1993
25-epmd ft redman-brothers on my jock (prod: epmd)-1990
21-redman-a day of sooperman lover(prod: erick sermon)-1992
22-das efx - jussumen (pete rock remix)-1992
23-erick_sermon-stay_real_(remix)-1993
24-knucklehedz-girlies keep screamin (prod: charlie marotta)-1993
25-epmd ft redman-brothers on my jock (prod: epmd)-1990
26-knucklehedz-party wrecka (prod: parrish smith)-1993
27-top_quality-someone so fly (prod: kevin a pyatt)-1993
28-redman ft erick sermon-watch yo nuggets (prod: erick sermon)-1992
29-epmd-can't hear nothing but the music (prod: epmd)-1992
30-epmd-chill (prod: epmd)-1992
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