I’ve been meaning to do this for a minute, so in honor of President Dupri leaving his post, I figured now was as good a time as any*:

Uggh…Nice Watch Presents…
The Jermaine Dupri Collection

Side A! (DOWNLOAD)

1. Funkmaster Flex feat. Jermaine Dupri & Veronica Webb “Talkin’ Shit”
2. Jermaine Dupri feat. Slim “White Tee (Remix)”
3. Mariah Carey feat. Bow Wow “All i Want For Christmas (So So Def Remix)”
4. Jermaine Dupri feat. UGK “Money, Hoes & Power”
5. Kris Kross feat. Supercat “Jump (Remix)”
6. Xscape “My Little Secret”
7. TLC “Creep (So So Def Remix)”
8. Da Brat “Funkdafied”
9. The Notorious B.I.G. “Big Poppa (So So Def Remix)”
10. The Isley Brothers “Forever Mackin’”
11. Lil’ Kim “Not Tonight”
12. Immature “Tear It Up”
13. Da Bush Babees “Put It Down”
14. Alicia Keys “Girlfriend”
15. Mariah Carey feat. Jadakiss “I Miss You (So So Def Remix)”
16. Tamia “Stranger In My House (So So Def Remix)”
17. Usher “Burn”
18. Total feat. Keith Murray “Can’t You See (So So Def Remix)”
19. Mariah Carey “We Belong Together”
20. Avant feat. Lil Wayne “You Know What”
21. Jagged Edge “I Gotta Be”
22. Ma$e feat. Jay-Z, Lil’ Cease & 112 “Cheat On You”
23. Usher feat. Alicia Keys “My Boo”
24. Mariah Carey “Don’t Forget About Us”
25. Kris Kross feat. Aaliyah, Da Brat & JD “Live & Die For Hip-Hop”
26. Aaliyah “I Gotcha Back”

Side B! (DOWNLOAD)
1. Jermaine Dupri “JD’s Reply (Dr. Dre & Timbaland Diss)”
2. Da Bush Babees “Get On Down”
3. Mariah Carey feat. Da Brat & JD “Honey (So So Def Mix)”
4. Kris Kross feat. Redman “Tonight’s The Night (Remix)”
5. Clipse feat. Jermaine Dupri “Let’s Talk About it”
6. Usher feat. Shyne, Kanye & Twista “Confessions (So So Def Remix)”
7. Xscape “Just Kickin’ It”
8. The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Da Brat “Da B Side”
9. Jay-Z feat. Jermaine Dupri “Money Ain’t a Thang”
10. Mariah Carey “Shake It Off”
11. Jermaine Dupri feat. Nate Dogg “Ballin’ Outta Control”
12. Monica “The First Night”
13. Letoya feat. Mike Jones & Rick Ross “Torn (So So Def Remix)”
14. TLC “Kick Your Game”
15. Nelly feat. JD, Paul Wall, Ali & Gip “Grillz”
16. Da Brat “Give It 2 U”
17. Wyclef Jean feat. Claudette Ortiz “Two Wrongs (So So Def Remix)”
18. Usher “You Make Me Wanna”
19. Mariah Carey feat. Bone Crusher “The One (So So Def Remix)”
20. Dem Franchise Boyz feat. JD, Da Brat & Bow Wow “I Think They Like Me (Remix)”
21. Master P feat. Jermaine Dupri “Da Da Ballers”
22. Kris Kross “Warm It Up”
23. Mariah Carey “Always Be My Baby”
24. Bow Wow feat. Omarion “Let Me Hold U Down”
25. Dru Hill feat. JD & Da Brat “In My Bed (So So Def Remix)”

You Can Get The Finger…The Middle!
(A Sidebar For The Haters):

Top 10 Wack-Ass Productions From The Don Chi-Chi:
1. Rakim “Guess Who’s Back (So So Def Remix)”
2. Cappadonna feat. Da Brat “We Know” (Produced by Jermaine Dupri)
3. Whodini Six (the whole album)
4. Everything he did on MC Lyte’s Bad As I Wanna B album
5. Jessica Simpson feat. Bow Wow “Irresistable (So So Def Remix)”
6. TLC feat. Craig Mack “Kick Your Game (Remix)”
7. Mariah Carey feat. Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz “My All (Remix)”
8. The Braxtons feat. Jay-Z “So Many Ways”
9. El Debarge “Slide”
10. Mariah Carey “You Had Your Chance”

* A note to the completist fucks (yes, you):
I wanted to include something from the Silk Tymes Leather album on the collection, but I didn’t really feel like spending my weekend combing the used CD stores of NYC. Take a breath and watch these videos.

As the father of the modern boy band, Maurice “The General” Starr gets a lot of hate. He created two mega-successful pop groups—New Edition and New Kids On The Block—and laid the blueprint for later rip-offs like the N*SYNC and B2K. Unfortunately, this cheesy, pre-fab pop legacy overshadows the fact that Maurice Starr was a skilled songwriter and producer.

Critics may be surprised to learn that Starr was actually a key member of seminal ’80s electro group Jonzun Crew, and that he released a few soulful solo albums himself. In addition to bubblegum pop, he wrote and produced for a wide variety of ’80s artists in everything from jazz to hip-hop. I compiled this compilation of my favorite Maurice Starr-related tracks so everyone can see his well-known boy band material in the context of his greater career.

THE MAURICE STARR COLLECTION (PRESENTED BY UGGH…NICE WATCH)

1. Jonzun Crew “Pack Jam (Look Out For The QVC)” (1982)
2. Con Funk Shun “Rock It All Night” (1985)
3. Starr’s Computer Band “Computer Rock Control” (1983)
4. New Edition “Candy Girl” (1983)
5. Tom Browne “Rockin’ Radio” (1983)
6. The Pretty Boys “I’ve Got My Eyes On You” (1983)
7. Maurice Starr “Come See Me Some Time” (1980)
8. New Kids On The Block “Please Don’t Go Girl” (1988)
9. Glory “Let’s Get Nice” (1981)
10. Prince Charles & The City Beat Band “In The Streets” (1980)
11. Alfonso Ribeiro “Not Too Young (To Fall In Love)” (1985)
12. Blaze! “We Come To Jam” (1982)
13. The Stylistics “Love Is Not The Answer” (1985)
14. Perfect Gentlemen “Ooh La La (I Can’t Get Over You)” (1990)
15. Jeff Tyzik f/ Maurice Starr “Sweet Surrender” (1985)
16. Jean Carn “Candy Love” (1986)
17. The Johnsons f/ Maurice Starr “Jail Bait” (1981)
18. New Kids On The Block “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” (1988)
19. New Edition “Is This The End?” (1983)
20. Ritz “Workin’ Out” (1981)
21. Classic Example “Never Gonna Give You Up” (1992)
22. New Kids On The Block “New Kids On The Block” (1986)
23. Ma$e f/ Puff Daddy & 112 “Jealous Guy” (1997)

DOWNLOAD: MEDIAFIRE / RAPIDSHARE

ALL SONGS ARE WRITTEN, PRODUCED AND/OR PERFORMED BY MAURICE STARR

When it comes to British music, Nellee Hooper has been at the center of some major movements. He started out in the early ’80s as a founding member of influential Bristol DJ crew/sound system The Wild Bunch, who eventually spawned trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack.

By the late ’80s, Hooper had moved to London and joined up with Jazzie B in a new group called Soul II Soul, who, for the first time, brought a unique brand of British soul music to the international pop charts. His work on early albums by Björk and Massive Attack led to Hooper becoming one of the most in-demand producers in popular music, making huge hits for superstars like Madonna and U2. Trust me—if you’re not familiar with Hooper, you’ll be amazed at the diversity of truly classic records he’s produced. I’ve compiled some of my favorites for this week’s Uggh…Nice Watch release.

1. The Wild Bunch “Hands In The Air One Time” (Intro)
2. Gwen Stefani “Luxurious” (2005)
3. Soul II Soul “Back To Life” (1989)
4. Madonna “Human Nature” (1994)
5. The Wild Bunch “The Look Of Love” (1988)
6. Janet Jackson f/ Q-Tip “Got ‘Til It’s Gone (Nellee Hooper Master Mix)” (1997)
7. Björk “Human Behaviour” (1993)
8. Massive Attack “Spying Glass” (1994)
9. Alyson Williams “I Need Your Loving (Extended Mix)” (1989)
10. Coldcut “Autumn Leaves (Nellee Hooper Vocal Mix)” (1993)
11. Rebecca De Ruvo “I Caught You Out (Nellee Hooper’s Album Mix)” (1994)
12. Craig Armstrong & Nellee Hooper “The Montague Boys” (1996)
13. The Wild Bunch “Friends and Countrymen” (1988)
14. The Family Stand “Ghetto Heaven (The Remix)” (1990)
15. Björk “Big Time Sensuality” (1993)
16. Bomb The Bass “Shake It” (1988)
17. The Psychedelic Waltons f/ Roisin Murphy “Wonderland” (2001)
18. Andrea Corr “Shame On You (To Keep My Love From Me)” (2007)
19. Bono “Save The Children” (1995)
20. Björk “Come To Me” (1993)
21. Soul II Soul “Keep On Movin’” (1989)
22. Massive Attack “Protection” (1994)
23. Janet Jackson “Where Are You Now (Nellee Hooper Mix)” (1995)
24. Madonna With Massive Attack “I Want You” (1995)
25. Smashing Pumpkins “The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning” (1997)
26. Sinead O’Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1989)
27. Cher f/ Beavis & Butt-Head “I Got You Babe” (1993)
28. Björk “It’s Oh So Quiet” (1995)

DOWNLOAD: MEDIAFIRE / RAPIDSHARE

ALL SONGS WERE PRODUCED, REMIXED, WRITTEN AND/OR PERFORMED BY NELLEE HOOPER

The-Dream is the biggest shit in R&B right now, but his fans still don’t know much about the guy behind the guy: veteran producer Christopher “Tricky” Stewart. The 35-year-old creative mastermind was already producing for major artists (along with his original partner Sean “Sep” Hall) while still in high school. Originally a native of Chicago’s suburbs, Tricky worked in L.A. for a few years before meeting L.A. Reid and moving out to Atlanta in 1995, where he established his RedZone Entertainment company.

Before long, he was crafting huge mainstream hits for JT Money and Mya, and signing a few semi-successful artists like Blu Cantrell. The RedZone collective has since grown to include key players like songwriter The-Dream and vocal producer Kuk Harrell, a team that’s taken Tricky’s success to new heights. In honor of Love Vs. Money dropping today, I compiled some of my favorite Tricky joints from the last 17 years for this week’s Uggh…Nice Watch release…

THE TRICKY STEWART COLLECTION: SIDE A

1. Blu Cantrell “Wasting My Time” (2001)
2. The-Dream “Rockin That Shit” (2009)
3. Mya “Case of the Ex” (2000)
4. Immature “Tear It Up (On Our Worst Behavior)” (1992)
5. Beyoncé “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” (2008)
6. Solé f/ JT Money “4, 5, 6″ (1999)
7. Cherish “Framed Out” (2008)
8. Karina “16 @ War” (2008)
9. N-Toon “Ready” (1999)
10. The-Dream “Falsetto” (2007)
11. The Braxtons “Slow Flow” (1996)
12. Chante Moore “Searchin’” (1994)
13. Bobby Brown “Good Enough (“Tricky” & “Sep” Remix)” (1993)
14. BlackGirl “Can U Feel It” (1994)
15. Color Me Badd “Sexual Capacity” (1996)
16. Sam Salter “It’s On Tonight” (1997)
17. Pink “Let Me Let You Know” (2000)
18. Electrik Red “Freaky Freaky” (2009)

THE TRICKY STEWART COLLECTION: SIDE B

1. The-Dream f/ Young Jeezy “I Luv Ur Girl (Remix)” (2008)
2. JT Money f/ Solé “Who Dat” (1999)
3. Aaron Hall “Get A Little Freaky With Me (Refreaked Radio Version)” (1993)
4. Mary J. Blige “Just Fine” (2007)
5. Maroon 5 “This Love (C. “Tricky” Stewart Remix)” (2008)
6. Britney Spears f/ Madonna “Me Against The Music” (2003)
7. Paulina Rubio “Tu Y Yo” (2006)
8. Jamie Foxx f/ T.I. “Just Like Me” (2008)
9. Ciara f/ Ludacris “High Price” (2009)
10. Mariah Carey “Touch My Body” (2008)
11. B2K “Uh Huh” (2001)
12. LL Cool J f/ The-Dream “Baby” (2008)
13. Jesse McCartney “Leavin’” (2008)
14. 98º “Don’t Stop The Love” (1997)
15. Rihanna f/ Jay-Z “Umbrella” (2007)
16. Before Dark “It’s All About You” (2000)
17. Usher “Moving Mountains” (2008)
18. The-Dream “Love Vs Money Part 2″ (2009)

DOWNLOAD BOTH SIDES: MEDIAFIRE / RAPIDSHARE

Over the last 8 years, Miami producer James “Jim Jonsin” Scheffer has given his career a complete makeover. While local Florida music fans might know him as DJ Jealous J, a legendary DJ/rapper/producer in the state’s electro bass scene, today’s urban music fans know him as the 808-friendly pop producer behind smashes like T.I.’s “Whatever You Like,” Soulja Boy’s “Kiss Me Thru The Phone” and Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop.”

But Jonsin’s journey began in the late ’80s, when he started producing and performing bass records under the name Jealous J for the independent Cut-It-Up-Def label, including some joints that are widely considered classics of the genre. He was particularly well known for his precise cutting and scratching skills as a DJ. Jim continued working with Heat Wave Records and Dynamix II Records through the mid-’90s, but by that time the bass scene was becoming a shadow of its former self.

During the late ’90s, he released a more trance-flavored album under the name DJ Devistada, while founding a hip-hop-oriented label under Warner Brothers called Paper Chasers that would never come to fruition. But the big change in his career came with the national crossover of Miami rap. Jim started producing a few album cuts for Trick Daddy and Trina, before linking up with producer Bigg D and forming a new production crew called The Unusual Suspects. The partnership only lasted a few years, but the hits they made together finally turned Jim into a viable mainstream pop producer. I’ve compiled some of my favorite Jim Jonsin-related joints from the last 20 years for this week’s Uggh…Nice Watch release…

[DOWNLOAD: MEDIAFIRE / RAPIDSHARE]

1. MC Gemini with Jealous J “Cut-It-Up-Def” (1989)
2. Birdman & Lil’ Wayne “Leather So Soft” (2006)
3. Danity Kane f/ Yung Joc “Show Stopper” (2006)
4. MC Luscious “Boom! I Fucked Your Boyfriend (X-Rated Mix)” (1991)
5. Get Some Crew “Get Buck Ass Wild” (1994)
6. Pitbull “Hey You Girl” (2006)
7. B.o.B “Lonley People” (2007)
8. Omarion & Bow Wow “Designated Driver” (2007)
9. Trick Daddy F/ Twista & Lil Jon “Let’s Go” (2004)
10. DMX “Y’all Niggaz” (Snippet) (2009)
11. Beyoncé “Sweet Dreams” (2008)
12. DJ Devistada “Devistada” (1998)
13. Pitbull “Hotel Room” (Snippet) (2009)
14. T.I. “Whatever You Like” (2008)
15. Pretty Ricky “Grind With Me” (2005)
16. MC Gemini “Miami Skeezer” (1989)
17. Dawgzillaz “No Worries” (1995)
18. Jamie Foxx f/ Ludacris “Unpredictable” (2005)
19. Clyde Carson f/ Rico Love “Secret Lover” (2009)
20. Natasha Bedingfield f/ Lil Wayne “Love Like This (Remix)” (2008)
21. Birdman “All The Time” (2007)
22. Aaron G “Get Busy” (1989)
23. Pitbull f/ Piccallo “Dammit Man” (2004)
24. Jock D & Jealous J “DJ Wars” (1989)
25. Twista f/ Trey Songz “Girl Tonite” (2005)
26. B.O.B. “Use Your Love” (2007)
27. Soulja Boy f/ Sammie “Kiss Me Thru The Phone” (2008)
28. Lil Wayne f/ Static Major “Lollipop” (2008)
29. Trina f/ Kelly Rowland “Here We Go” (2006)
30. Jealous J & Kool Aid “Sleigh Vibe” (1994)
31. Lil Wayne “I Feel Like Dying” (2007)

ALL SONGS WERE PRODUCED, WRITTEN AND/OR PERFORMED BY JIM JONSIN A.K.A. JEALOUS J

Eminem gives respect to Treach as one of the most innovative lyricists of the early ’90s, and Naughty By Nature’s main producer—Kier “Kay Gee” Gist—is long overdue for a similar recognition on the music tip. After debuting in 1989 as a trio named The New Style, this group of East Orange, New Jersey friends landed a management deal with Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit. They soon changed their named to Naughty By Nature, got signed to Tommy Boy and started producing for Flavor Unit’s roster. The group’s classic self-titled debut featured “O.P.P.,” one of rap music’s first massive crossover hits that didn’t sacrifice hip-hop credibility.

The success of Naughty set Kay Gee up as a producer-for-hire, but even from the jump, his focus seemed to be on artist development. He found early R&B success with bald-headed duo Zhané, who he signed to Naughty’s Illtown Records. While he originally produced in collaboration with the Naughty crew, he broke out on his own in the mid-’90s and formed a new label named Divine Mill. Once again, he found R&B success with Next, and later soul crooner Jaheim. In honor of everyone driving out to Jersey this weekend for Summer Jam, I wanted to make a mix of 30 key Kay Gee-related tracks for this week’s Uggh…Nice Watch release. Enjoy…

DOWNLOAD THE KAY GEE COLLECTION: MEDIAFIRE

1. The New Style “Scuffin’ Those Knees” (1989)
2. Zhané “Hey Mr. D.J.” (1993)
3. Naughty By Nature “Uptown Anthem” (1991)
4. Rottin Raskalz “Hey Alright” (1995)
5. Tha Rayne f/ Lupe Fiasco “Kiss Me” (2002)
6. Next “Too Close” (1998)
7. Shabba Ranks f/ Patra “Ice Cream Lover” (1995)
8. Queen Latifah “U.N.I.T.Y.” (1993)
9. Aaliyah “Are You Ready” (1996)
10. Naughty By Nature “Ghetto Bastard (Everything’s Gonna be Alright)” (1991)
11. Jaheim “Fabulous” (2002)
12. The Notorious B.I.G. f/ 112 “Miss U” (1997)
13. Miilkbone “Where’z Da’ Party At?” (1995)
14. Eazy-E “Hit The Hooker” (1995)
15. Naughty By Nature “Feel Me Flow” (1995)
16. Queen Latifah “Latifah’s Had It Up 2 Here” (1991)
17. Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson “Scream (Naughty Mix)” (1995)
18. D-Nice f/ Naughty By Nature “Time To Flow” (1991)
19. Mary J. Blige “Press On” (2003)
20. M.A.G. “Fist Full Of Dank” (1998)
21. Monica f/ Naughty By Nature “Ain’t Nobody” (1995)
22. The Transitions “Back In Da Days” (2001)
23. Deborah Cox “It’s Over Now” (1998)
24. Pat Benatar f/ Queen Latifah “Love Is A Battlefield (Remix)” (1998)
25. Jaheim “Put That Woman First” (2002)
26. Stacie Orrico “Don’t Ask Me To Stay” (2006)
27. Shade Sheist f/ Kurupt & Nate Dogg “Where I Wanna Be” (2000)
28. Next “Wifey” (2000)
29. Zhané “Groove Thang” (1994)
30. Naughty By Nature “O.P.P.” (1991)

ALL SONGS WERE PRODUCED, WRITTEN OR PERFORMED BY KAY GEE

The eldest brother in the Jackson-style family band The Sylvers, Leon F. Sylvers III was 19 when he wrote the group’s first top 10 R&B single “Wish That I Could Talk To You” in 1972. By the late ’70s, Leon had really hit his stride as a songwriter and producer after Dick Griffey hired him at S.O.L.A.R. Records—The Sound Of Los Angeles. His brand of classy, soul-drenched disco-funk became known in the industry as “The S.O.L.A.R. Sound,” made famous by Leon’s string of smashes with Shalamar, along with the label’s all-star roster Lakeside, The Whispers, The Spinners, and Dynasty. Hits with everyone from Evelyn “Champagne” King to Gladys Knight & The Pips continued into the mid ’80s.

Things had slowed down for Leon by the time he released his self-titled solo debut on Motown in 1989. While his name had faded as a marquee producer, he continued to find some quality work throughout ’90s—including co-writing a slew of records with Teddy Riley like Blackstreet’s #2 R&B hit “Before I Let You Go.” He even famously hired an unknown keyboard player named Damon Riddick (a.k.a. Dam-Funk of Stones Throw fame) for his first job in 1992. Still active today in his late 50s, Leon Sylvers is a true R&B genius who rarely gets mentioned with the greats, but his catalog is full of gems. I compiled and tagged 30 of my favorite Leon Sylvers creations for your downloading pleasure…

THE LEON SYLVERS COLLECTION:
1. The Spinners “Not Just Another Lover” (1984)
2. Dynasty “Adventures in the Land of Music” (1980)
3. Shalamar “A Night to Remember” (1982)
4. Carrie Lucas “It’s Not What You Got (It’s How You Use It)” (1980)
5. The Sylvers “Wish That I Could Talk To You” (1972)
6. Gladys Knight & The Pips “You’re Number One (In My Book)” (1983)
7. Blackstreet “Before I Let You Go” (1994)
8. Shalamar “Over And Over” (1983)
9. Rockie Robbins “You Finally Found the One” (1985)
10. The Whispers “And the Beat Goes On” (1980)
11. Freda Payne “In Motion” (1982)
12. Leon Sylvers III “World Champion” (1983)
13. Reel To Reel “Love Me Like This” (1983)
14. Krystol “After The Dance Is Through” (1984)
15. Gene Page f/ Charmaine Sylvers “Love Starts After Dark” (1980)
16. Evelyn “Champagne” King “Shake Down” (1983)
17. Foster Sylvers “Misdemeanor” (1973)
18. Stacy Lattisaw “You Ain’t Leavin’” (1986)
19. Shalamar “This Is For The Lover in You” (1980)
20. NKOTB “Never Let You Go” (1994)
21. Brothers Johnson “You Keep Me Coming Back” (1984)
22. Midnight Star “I’ve Been Watching You” (1981)
23. Lakeside “From 9:00 Until” (1979)
24. Joyce Kennedy “Lookin’ For Trouble” (1984)
25. N’Dambi “Ooo Baby” (2009)
26. Leon Sylvers III “Let’s Go Thru It” (1989)
27. The Blow Monkeys “Sweet Talking Rapist At Home” (1989)
28. Evelyn ”Champagne” King “Hold On To What You’ve Got” (1988)
29. Troy Johnson “It’s You” (1986)
30. Shalamar “The Second Time Around” (1979)
DOWNLOAD: [ usershare | mediafire | megaupload ]

ALL SONGS WERE PRODUCED, WRITTEN, ARRANGED AND/OR PERFORMED BY LEON F. SYLVERS III.

Aside from Puffy, Poke & Tone were the most villified producers of the ’90s, synonymous with rap’s jiggy era after co-producing “Gettin’ Jiggy With It.” But their discography reveals more hip-hop and R&B classics than crossover cheese, beginning with singles from Chubb Rock, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane in the early ’90s. Tone (a.k.a. Red Hot Lover Tone) released two solo albums, while Poke linked up with Puff Daddy to co-produce a ton of early Bad Boy/Uptown classics, from Mary J.’s “Be Happy” to Biggie’s “Juicy.” But the Trackmasters name really became infamous to most rap fans in 1995 and ’96 when they produced the majority of both LL Cool J’s Mr. Smith and Nas’ It Was Written.

Golden boys in the golden era of New York rap’s glossy makeover, their reputation as hitmakers was unparalleled by the end of the decade. They started to move away from samples in the early ’00s, and things were never quite the same. Their attempt to bring Jay-Z and R. Kelly together on The Best of Both Worlds turned out to be a debacle, and in 2003 they were perhaps unfairly branded “the guys who missed out on 50 Cent.” Remember the good times with my mixtape of 30 Poke & Tone classics…

THE TRACKMASTERS COLLECTION:
1. Nas f/ AZ, Cormega & Foxy Brown “Affirmative Action” (1996)
2. Soul For Real “Candy Rain” (1994)
3. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo “Ill Street Blues” (1992)
4. LL Cool J “Hollis To Hollywood” (1995)
5. Foxy Brown f/ Jay-Z “I’ll Be” (1997)
6. Little Bastards “Bitch Get A Job” (1992)
7. T.C.F. Crew “I Ain’t the One” (1993)
8. Allure f/ Nas “Head Over Heels” (1996)
9. Shante “Straight Razor” (1992)
10. Chubb Rock “Just the Two of Us (Trackmasterz Remix)” (1991)
11. Nature “Nature’s Shine” (1999)
12. R.Kelly & Jay-Z “Take You Home With Me A.K.A. Body” (2002)
13. Little Shawn “Dom Perignon” (1995)
14. Will Smith “Miami” (1997)
15. The Firm f/ Noreaga & Nature “I’m Leaving” (1997)
16. LL Cool J “I Shot Ya (Remix)” (1995)
17. Mary J Blige “Round & Round” (1997)
18. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo “On The Run (Al Capone Version)” (1992)
19. Mariah Carey “The Roof” (1997)
20. LL Cool J “Hey Lover” (1995)
21. Total f/ Da Brat “No One Else” (1995)
22. Faith Evans “No Other Love” (1995)
23. Big Daddy Kane “How U Get A Record Deal” (1993)
24. Rihanna “If It’s Lovin’ That You Want” (2005)
25. Red Hot Lover Lover Tone “Give It Up” (1992)
26. Mary J. Blige “Be Happy” (1994)
27. Mya f/ Jay-Z “Best Of Me Part 2″ (2000)
28. 50 Cent “Ghetto Qu’ran (Forgive Me)” (2000)
29. Bravehearts f/ Nas “I Wanna Live” (1998)
30. Nas “The Message” (1996)
DOWNLOAD: [ usershare | mediafire | megaupload ]

ALL SONGS WERE PRODUCED, WRITTEN, REMIXED OR PERFORMED BY POKE AND/OR TONE

The genius behind Jodeci has fallen on hard times over the last decade, with rumors of drug addiction (and an embarrassing TMZ video) taking the place of hit records. But none of this changes the intensity of the impact that Donald “DeVante Swing” Degrate had on the sound of ’90s R&B music in a prolific five year period. A freakishly talented instrumentalist with a freaky side, the Virginia native wrote and produced nearly every song Jodeci ever performed, inspiring a generation* with his achingly sincere, hyper-sexualized slow jams.

Before Jodeci’s breakthrough in 1991, DeVante did some co-production work at Uptown Records, including the radio version of Al B. Sure’s “Missunderstanding” that became a #1 R&B hit. He continued to make big moves as a songwriter, using the talkbox-heavy “Jodeci Sound” to create hits for everyone from a 50-year-old Al Green to a 16-year-old Usher. In the mid-’90s he developed his own training camp of artists and producers called the Swing Mob, which famously introduced names like Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Ginuwine, Tweet, Static Major, Darryl Pearson, and Stevie J to the industry. He executive produced the #1 Dangerous Minds soundtrack, and before long he was being managed by Suge Knight, spending a lot of time with 2Pac, and crafting Jodeci’s ambitious third album.

In the next few years, everything fell apart—Death Row died with 2Pac, K-Ci & JoJo went solo, and the Swing Mob artists started signing with other labels. By the late ’90s, DeVante had been completely eclipsed by his former protégé, Timbaland, as mainstream R&B’s biggest innovator. His career fell into a 15 year black hole, marking a tragic end for one of music’s brightest stars. Spark one and zone out to my compilation of 30 DeVante classics…

THE DEVANTE SWING COLLECTION
DOWNLOAD: [ mediafire | megaupload | usershare ]
1. H-Town “Part Time Lover” (1994)
2. Jodeci “Room 454: DeVante’s Inhermission” (1995)
3. Changing Faces “Keep It Right There” (1994)
4. Ginuwine “I Want You” (1996)
5. 2Pac “No More Pain” (1996)
6. Jodeci “Feenin’” (1993)
7. Usher “Can U Get Wit It” (1994)
8. Renee Anderson “Gonna Be Your Night” (1997)
9. Danny Boy f/ Ginuwine “Slip ‘N’ Slide” (1995)
10. Jodeci “Love U 4 Life” (1995)
11. Jeff Redd “Giving My Love To You” (1990)
12. Al B. Sure “Missunderstanding” (1990)
13. Michael Cooper “Do You” (1992)
14. Sista “Sweat You Down” (1994)
15. Jodeci “What About Us” (1993)
16. DeVante f/ Static Major “Gin & Juice” (1995)
17. Horace Brown “You Need A Man” (1996)
18. CeCe Peniston “I See Love” (1993)
19. Jodeci “Come & Talk To Me” (1991)
20. Christopher Williams “All I See” (1992)
21. Montell Jordan “What’s On Tonight” (1996)
22. Tony Thompson “Slave” (1995)
23. Jodeci f/ Raekwon & Ghostface Killah “Freek’n You (Remix)” (1995)
24. B Rezell “Blowed Away” (1994)
25. Al Green “Could This Be Love” (1995)
26. Jodeci “Cry for You” (1993)
27. Mary J. Blige f/ K-Ci “I Don’t Want To Do Anything” (1992)
28. Mya “Smilin’” (2007)
29. Jodeci “Good Luv” (1995)
30. Da Bassment “Love You Down” (1996)
ALL SONGS WERE PRODUCED, WRITTEN AND/OR PERFORMED BY DEVANTE SWING

* While Teddy Riley and Guy were clearly a huge influence on early Jodeci, it’s interesting to see the influence that Jodeci (and DeVante’s sound in general) had on Teddy Riley’s next group, Blackstreet, when they debuted in 1994. In many ways, this is a great snapshot of R&B’s New Jack Swing generation passing the torch.

New York City had no shortage of marquee hip-hop producers in the late ’80s and early ’90s, so perhaps it’s no surprise that Hitman Howie Tee a.k.a. Howard Thompson often gets overlooked when discussing the golden era’s key composers. Best known for creating stars like Chubb Rock and Special Ed, Howie was instrumental in paving the way for the new wave of hip-hop that took hold of NYC in the mid-to-late ’80s. Queens had Marley Marl, and Brooklyn had Howie Tee, the borough’s biggest name brand producer at this pivotal time.

After getting his first taste of the industry in 1983 as a DJ, keyboard player, and producer for electro rap group CD III, Howie stuck close to fellow Flatbush natives UTFO and Full Force. The crew were were suddenly thrust into the spotlight when “Roxanne, Roxanne” inspired the “answer record” meme of 1984, and Howie became the DJ sidekick/producer to Full Force’s new female rapper, The Real Roxanne.

Howie developed a fruitful relationship with Roxanne and UTFO’s label, a burgeoning independent called Select Records. Thanks to his work with Select throughout the late ’80s, including classics for his cousin Chubb Rock and Flatbush teen Special Ed, Howie ushered Brooklyn hip-hop out of the old school drum machine era and into the new world of multi-layered funk and jazz samples that would epitomize hip-hop’s golden era.

He realigned himself with Uptown Records in the early ’90s, where he achieved massive crossover success with R&B group Color Me Badd and signed another Flatbush teen, Little Shawn. His clout faded in the mid-’90s, but Howie’s indelible influence on hip-hop had already been made. Experience his underrated catalog with this compilation of 30 Howie Tee bangers…

THE HOWIE TEE COLLECTION
(PRESENTED BY UGGH…NICE WATCH)

DOWNLOAD: GAMEFRONT / ZIPPYSHARE / RAPIDSHARE
STREAM: MIXCLOUD

1. Chubb Rock “Treat ‘Em Right” (1990)
2. Whistle “(Nothing Serious) Just Buggin’” (1985)
3. Color Me Badd “All 4 Love” (1991)
4. Vicious “The Glock” (1994)
5. Madonna “Human Nature (Howie Tee Remix)” (1995)
6. E.S.P. “Wild Thing” (1988)
7. Special Ed “I Got It Made” (1989)
8. Chubb Rock with Howie Tee “Ya Bad Chubbs” (1989)
9. Izzy-Ice & DJ Majesty “Soul Man” (1988)
10. Heavy D & The Boyz “Let the People Sing” (1991)
11. Full Force “Alice, I Want You Just for Me!” (1985)
12. Lonnie Gordon “Beyond Your Wildest Dreams (Buckwild Mix)” (1990)
13. Groove B Chill “Hip Hop Music” (1990)
14. The Real Roxanne w/ Hitman Howie Tee “Bang Zoom! (Let’s Go-Go)” (1986)
15. Little Shawn “Hickeys On Your Chest” (1992)
16. Father MC “Father’s Day” (1990)
17. Tara Kemp “Anything You Ask” (1992)
18. Little Indian f/ The Foreigner “One Little Indian” (1995)
19. Chubb Rock with Hitman Howie Tee “DJ Innovator” (1988)
20. Another Bad Creation “Spydermann” (1991)
21. CD III “Get Tough” (1983)
22. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam “This Is Cult Jam” (1985)
23. Crash Crew “2-4-6-8 / Here We Are” (1985)
24. MC Miker G “Don’t Let Music Stop” (1987)
25. Seeborn & Puma “They Call Me Puma” (1987)
26. Heavy D & The Boyz “I Can Make You Go Oooh” (1991)
27. Patra f/ Yo-Yo “Romantic Call” (1993)
28. Al B. Sure f/ Grege “Papes In The End” (1992)
29. Special Ed “I’m The Magnificent” (1989)
30. Chubb Rock “Just the Two of Us” (1991)

ALL SONGS WERE PRODUCED, WRITTEN, REMIXED, ARRANGED AND/OR PERFORMED BY HITMAN HOWIE TEE

Thanks to their work with Timex Social Club and Club Nouveau in 1986, Oakland natives Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy became known as one of the most innovative producer/songwriting teams in the R&B business. Along with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, they were responsible for laying the early groundwork for what would become New Jack Swing by mixing hip-hop, electro, go-go, and pop rhythms into the more traditional R&B recipe.

Their early success with singles like “Rumors” and “Situation #9″ gave them the power to sign and make hits with a slew of Bay Area acts, including Tony! Toni! Toné! (Foster & McElroy produced their entire debut album in 1988), Samuelle (they wrote his #1 R&B hit “So You Like What You See”), and, most famously, multi-platinum phenomenon En Vogue.

As usual, Foster & McElroy won with En Vogue by injecting unexpected influences into their music, mixing the image and harmonies of ’60s girl groups like The Supremes with modern hip-hop. Their 1990 platinum debut Born To Sing produced the #2 pop hit “Hold On,” which made brilliant use of James Brown’s “The Payback,” one of hip-hop’s go-to breakbeats at the time. En Vogue’s triple-platinum sophomore album, Funky Divas, made them certified crossover stars, producing three top ten pop singles and garnering five Grammy nominations (not to mention the honor of performing the Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper theme song, which was also produced by Foster & McElroy). Spend some time appreciating the catalog of these R&B icons with Uggh…Nice Watch’s compilation of 30 Foster & McElroy gems…

THE FOSTER & MCELROY COLLECTION
(PRESENTED BY UGGH…NICE WATCH)
1. Sorcery “The Test” (1984)
2. Club Nouveau “Why You Treat Me So Bad” (1986)
3. Tony! Toni! Toné! “Skin Tight” (1990)
4. Samuelle “So You Like What You See” (1990)
5. En Vogue “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It) (1992)
6. The Nation Funktasia “Fuzzy Shunshine” (1991)
7. Premiere “Somethin’ About You” (1996)
8. F-Mob f/ Richie Rich “We Came To Move Ya” (1994)
9. Gabrielle “If I Could” (1996)
10. Timex Social Club “Rumors” (1986)
11. Alexander O’Neal “Midnight Run” (1990)
12. Foster McElroy f/ Vogue “Waiting On You” (1989)
13. Kathy Mathis “Got To Give It Up (1988)
14. Robert Brookins “Don’t Tease Me” (1988)
15. Con Funk Shun “Jo Jo” (1986)
16. En Vogue “Don’t Go” (1990)
17. Michael Cooper “To Prove My Love” (1987)
18. Lia “Tell Me It’s Not Too Late” (1988)
19. Channel 2 “Never Gonna Let You Go” (1988)
20. Terry Ellis f/ Ricky Valentino LaTontaine “I Don’t Mind” (1995)
21. Swing Out Sister “Heaven Only Knows” (1996)
22. Club Nouveau “Situation #9″ (1986)
23. En Vogue “Give It Up, Turn It Loose” (1992)
24. Regina Belle “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely” (1995)
25. To Be Continued “One On One” (1993)
26. Asante “What’s The Plan” (1995)
27. Force M.D.’s “Why Can’t We Be Friends” (1990)
28. Club Nouveau “Lean On Me” (1987)
29. En Vogue “Hold On” (1990)
30. Dawnn Lewis & Holly Robinson Peete with En Vogue “Hangin’ With My Man (Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper Theme)” (1992)

DOWNLOAD: GAMEFRONT / ZIPPYSHARE / FREAKSHARE
STREAM: MIXCLOUD

ALL SONGS WERE PRODUCED, WRITTEN, REMIXED, ARRANGED AND/OR PERFORMED BY DENZIL FOSTER & THOMAS MCELROY