Traffic (2010, Reissue)
I have written about this record once before on this site, but if I am going to begin a journey writing about influential 90s hip hop records every Wednesday (Ed Lover Dance Day), I cannot do that without mentioning 93 'Til Infinity. This album, along with Del's No Need For Alarm and Casual's Fear Itself (more on that next week), pretty much make up my holy trinity of hip hop. Yes all three are Hieroglyphics related, but these three records hit me like nothing ever had previously. I love them all so very much.
93 'Til Infinity was actually the first of the big three Hiero records to come out. I remember when I first saw the video for the title track on Yo MTV Raps. It was laid back and reminded me of the Pharcyde's "Passin' Me By" a little bit. I don't know for sure that I was aware that they were affiliated with Del The Funky Homosapien when I first heard the song. No Need For Alarm wasn't out for a few more months and with no internet, the only way I would have known that was if I read it in The Source, which was a distinct possibility.
Once I had bought the full Souls record and No Need For Alarm came out in November of 93, it was pretty clear to me that something special was happening. 93 'Til Infinity is a remarkably consistent record, full of incredible songs with amazing rhymes and killer beats. I love the way the jazzy samples mix with the bouncing bass lines to provide canvases for all of the Souls' vocal interplay. These guys riff off of each other so well and it comes off unnervingly laid back and effortless. I'm sure a ton of work goes into making something sound this tight, but the whole record has the vibe of just being tossed together on a summer afternoon because the guys just didn't have anything else to do that day.
93 'Til Infinity is twenty six years old. I was sixteen when I heard it for the first time. Here I am at forty two, and whenever I play this album it still sounds so cutting edge to me. Maybe part of that is me still being stuck in the 90s, but I think the much bigger part of it is that Souls Of Mischief created a bonafide classic album. One that will likely outlive all of us.
Souls Of Mischief - "93 'Til Infinity":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VwfYCFYZws
Souls Of Mischief - "Limitations":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orDlWs6BphQ
Souls Of Mischief - "That's When Ya Lost":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MMc9UVXyUM
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