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Tag: Kool Tee

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That's The Way It Is

After Big Boss Cross and Gary Jam quit Jam Delight around 1986, their DJ Scratch Master K wasn’t ready to throw in the towel, so K began the next chapter for the band. He and his cousin Kool Tee called the new project Jam Delight Posse (JDP), because they intended to let a big number of rappers into the group. In 2012 JDP dropped a dope compilation CD titled That’s The Way It Is containing 19 tracks.

One of my easy favorites here is the title track “That’s Da Way It Is.” With a groovy beat and lyrics, this cut is fun and radio ready. The good life here is about, “Late night big money deals and liquor store runs.” Another song on this JDP compilation that really appeals to me is “Mankind” by Baldy Loc which uses clever wordplay over a sparkling beat, and asks poignant philosophical questions. “Never been blind to the ways of mankind, but man ain’t kind so why should I be?” the rapper asks.

Dee.aLe from DMS drops a paranoid cut called “Thru The Blind.” This brilliant song tells what it’s like for a drug dealer who only sees life through a crack in the window blinds. The protagonist is in a hopeless situation, stuck with, “Top Ramen, hot dogs, four days (in the) same drawers.” For all the car enthusiasts, Baldy Loc does it again with “Lo Lo” about hittin’ switches in the low rider. This song is complete with a barrage of sound effects which place you right in the car.

For a true G-funk banger, look no further than “Do You Wanna Ride?” which slinks out of your speakers like $80 slippers. Over the years, Scratch Master K and Kool Tee recorded hundreds of JDP tracks in various studios. Hopefully some of that material will be released in the years to come. Written by Novocaine132

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Here We Go Again Deluxe Edition

In 2003 Jam Delight Posse (JDP) released a twelve-song album titled Here We Go Again. Later that year, the main producer for the album named Scratch Master K also put out a “deluxe edition” with an adjusted tracklist. The deluxe version (reviewed here) is a full look at Jam Delight Posse, and the fun they had making this music.

Scratch Master K, who now goes by the name LA Gee, has an inclusive philosophy regarding who is invited to his recording sessions. There is only one rule, come to drop lyrics and do your best, and you will get a chance on the mic. The results of their labor in 2003 are captured on Here We Go Again (Deluxe Edition), an epic collection of sixteen tracks covering a wide spectrum of rap topics.

An early standout track to me is number five “Still Me.” It is a written testament to resilience and being steadfast in your craft. After all, LA Gee is one of the underground founders of rap in Seattle. The lyrics show LA Gee bragging about his accomplishments, but also humbly reminding us that he is just one of the homies. “Call the National Guard, the cops, and the Mayor,” he dares us. “It doesn’t matter if you’re from Compton, Long Beach, or Delaware.”

“How We Ride” is heartfelt g-funk with a melodic chorus. This song transports me to a different time and place, which is what music is supposed to do. They are riding, “four deep in the Cherokee Jeep,” says Kool Tee. The song is a storytelling experience, about JDP cruising the town. The chorus evokes Los Angeles and endless summertime nights.

One of my favorites is track ten “We Got Game.” The catchy bassline rumbles and grooves, it’s simple yet effective. In the first verse, LA Gee says he has, “been spitting this shit since 86.” That was the year that the original Jam Delight broke up, and JDP was founded. “We Got Game” is hard to get out of your head once you’ve heard it. Nine years after Here We Go Again, JDP dropped an album in 2012 titled That’s The Way It Is. Written by Novocaine132

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