Ghetto Philharmonic – The Alternate Masters (Digital Remaster)

In 1992, Tuff City Records signed Ghetto Philharmonic, a New York collective that fused authentic hip-hop production and rhyming with the musicianship and language of jazz. Unlike many of the jazz-influenced rap acts that followed, Ghetto Philharmonic’s members were not simply sampling the music — they were accomplished players themselves.

After a high-profile appearance at the 1993 New Music Seminar, the group attracted major-label attention while the jazz-rap movement was rapidly gaining momentum. Their album Hip-Hop Be-Bop was ultimately released in 1994, following significant delays.

The Alternate Masters presents the definitive Ghetto Philharmonic recordings from that era, including alternate masters, restored and digitally remastered material, shelved recordings, and four previously unreleased tracks. Several selections on the collection were never issued by Tuff City Records, the group’s original label.

The album was digitally remastered by G-Clef da Mad Komposa himself, the group’s original producer, bringing the recordings back under the supervision of one of the artists who created them.

The core lineup features G-Clef da Mad Komposa on raps, alto saxophone, and ASR-10 beats; B-Natural a.k.a. The Sledge on vocals and trumpet; and DJ Spinbad on turntables. Production is handled primarily by G-Clef, with additional production by The Flux.

Guest appearances include DJ Slynke, Quayshaun and Blackspik of Soul Kid Klik, guitarist Peter Bernstein, legendary keyboardist and composer Weldon Irvine, and Blitz of Trom Section (New School Society).

tracklist:

1. Rhythm That We Give ‘Em

2. Don’t Bite The Concept

3. R.U.A. Soul Kid?

4. Sledge

5. Buss This (ft. DJ Slynke)

6. Gassmaster (ft. Blakspik, and Quayshaun)

7. The Man With The Gift of Heft

8. Something 2 Funk About

9. Back 2 The Flux

10. Intermission (ft. Peter Bernstein)

11. Caucasoid (ft. Blakspik, Weldon Irvine)

12. Don’t Bite The Concept ’94 (ft. Quayshaun)

13. G-Clef’s Concerto

14. Swing

15. Who’s The Wrecker?

16. World of Sound  (ft. Weldon Irvine)

17. Smack Attack

18. Gassmaster (replayed original)  (ft. Flux, Blitz, Quayshaun)

19. Funky Vendetta

Ghetto Philharmonic is:

G-Clef da Mad Komposa: raps, alto sax, ASR-10 beats

B-Natural aka The Sledge: vocals, trumpet

DJ Spinbad: turntables

Recorded between 1992-94 at Calliope, Firehouse, Libra Digital Studios, NYC.

All tracks produced by G-Clef da Mad Komposa except, track 8 co-produced by The Flux, and track 9 & 13 produced by The Flux.

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