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Mellow T - Keep It Real - 1993

12" - 1993 - Columbia  

When you look at the cover of this 12" for the first time, with this cat with curly hair and his leather jacket, you could think it could be some smooth RnB shit... but in fact, not at all !

"Keep It Real" is the first single released by Anthony Brownlee a.k.a Mellow T originally from Hartford Connecticut, then moved to New Jersey after being signed by Columbia in 1993. Mellow-T was discovered by Raymond Pouncey, the executive producer, in a talent show that he held. Mellow T was in an original group that he put together named The Little Rapscals. 

"Keep It Real" is available on the wax in its LP & Remix versions, both produced by Greg Nice from Nice & Smooth. In terms of productions, the LP version contains samples from "Jamilah" performed Houston Person and from "I know You Got Soul" performed by Bobby Byrd. 

"Keep It Real" was supposed to be part of Mellow-T's album entitled "The Best Kept Secret" produced by Greg Nice, Phat Kat and Tony Dofat, but it never came out unfortunately. Phat Kat in a recent chat, declared that the connection happened thru Greg Nice when he was working on "Paranoia" for Nice & Smooth, Ray Pouncey was looking for tracks for Mellow T's album. Phat Kat was surprised the album was shelved... Another interesting unreleased album I'd like to see coming out one day... fingers crossed !

After that, Mellow-T released the single entitled "Pressure" on Rugged Route Records in 1995... It was his last single before disappearing from the music scene ...

Classic : 3rd Bass - Brooklyn Queens - 1990

12" - 1990 - Def Jam / Columbia  


"Brooklyn Queens" was the 3rd single off their debut album named "The Cactus" released on Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records in 1989. The song was produced by Prince Paul and was a dedication to all the Brooklyn's ladies. 
According to Prince Paul in a Vibe article from 1999, he met 3rd Bass at the Rush (Artist) Management offices in 1989, right after "3 feet high and rising" came out. They told him "make us a record like (De La's) 'Buddy", so he gave them "Gas Face" and "Brooklyn Queens". 

Promo Photo courtesy of Drewhuge

 

Interview : Common in Caught In The Middle Magazine

From Caught In The Middle - Volume #1 Issue #1 - 1994