Near flawless re-release. Why remix perfection?
Todd Patrick | 06/19/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I love most everything that comes out of Stones Throw, but this album is a breakaway standout classic. Two top performers at the height of their game collaborating like Monk and Trane, only you don't need to wait almost fifty years to hear them together (Discovery! doesn't count anymore since the Carnegie Hall concert; I digress). It's great to see this album get much-deserved respect in an extended package, complete with instrumentals and all new remixes from Madlib; at this price you can't afford not to pick this up.
Now the bad news: "The Red" is different - radically different - from the beat to the incredible vocal chorus by Cris Williamson (from "Shine On Straight Arrow"). This new track isn't bad, but it's not the one I loved from the original release. "No Games" also has a new backing track, and this time I might call it an improvement. These differences are also reflected in the instrumentals on the second disc. The initial pressing had a minor track called "Ice" featuring Medaphoar which is not featured here in the original version or the extended (by one verse) version from the 12-inch vinyl of "Ice" b/w "Raw Addict," which thankfully was included. I hate to diss such a great collection, but most anyone picking this version up would want to know what they're missing.
Still, don't let that stop you from getting this incredible album from Jay Dee and Madlib. If you don't have it already, you're sleeping on a hall of fame release from the underground. Pick up the original "The Red" from the Stones Throw Ten Years compilation (also must-have), and "No Games" from P2P (after you BUY this album), and you're all caught up.
UPDATE: I just found the Stones Throw website lists these two tracks ("The Red," "No Games") as "Remix (Prev. Unreleased)" but this info isn't in the liner notes or here on Amazon. They should have moved these two remixes onto the bonus disc (it's only 66 minutes long), included "Ice" and left the original album intact. Much respect to PB Wolf, but there are enough missed opportunities here to call for a do-over. Oh, and I want a pony."
The Red & No Games situation
arlodizzle | 06/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Stones Throw was served papers over the samples used for "The Red" and "No Games." That is what caused this release to be pushed back once, from May 8th, to June 19th, and the new instrumentals for "The Red" and "No Games." The versions you hear of "The Red" and "No Games" are the new instrumentals. All Jaylib releases except for this one are being recalled, and may be repressed with the new versions."
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1