LP - 1994 - Jaffinity Records
Here is a compilation album that I'm still looking for ... entitled "Jaffilation - Underground Phunk Vol.1" and released in 1994 on Jaffinity Records. The comp features artists or groups from Durham (Bull City), North Carolina and all the productions are fully handled by Melvin Jacobs a.k.a Nitro.
The best tracks of the record are the tracks available on youtube : "4 Da Mindz Knoose" and "Down Under" performed by Da Phunke' Bushmen, "Ruff Stuff" performed by Razor Sharp, and "Set If Of" performed by Da Knozes.
No info on the internet or on Discogs about those groups, so if you're looking for more details you need to know that Da Phunke' Bushmen was comprised of 4 members named Mr Obese a.k.a The Analyst Mr Obese, Fonkicida a.k.a Fonkicida Da Ethiopian Monk, Kasmin a.k.a Kasmin The Lyrical Obstetrician and Nitro. The group was formed around 1990 and they performed at the legendary Apollo Theatre in NYC in 1992.
Fonkicida Da Ethiopian Monk was also known under the name of Black Baby at the time. The track "Spoontful of Yout" on the A-side is his first reggae single.
Da Knozes was a duo composed of Whutsiznaim & Sym Swelz. The group broke up in 1995 due to creative differences and Whutsiznaim became a solo artist.
Da Knozes - Sym Swels (Left) & Whutsiznaim
The Producer Melvin Jacobs a.k.a Nitro is also known under the name of King James II. In the mid-late 90s, in addition to his productions for groups based in North Carolina he also produced for groups or artists from Brooklyn and New Jersey like Da Rail Black / Pauly Paps and D'Adore. He has been working for Big Phat Entertainment since 1998 and between 2005-2006 he worked as a Recording Engineer at Daddy's House Recording Studio/Bad Boy Entertainment LLC.
That's all I know about those artists involved in this compilation album. Don't hesitate to cop this 12" if you see a copy for sale... but believe me, that one is really hard to find !
