#279 Flavor Of The Month – Black Sheep

Description

A: Flavor of the Month (Vocal) / A: Butt In the Meantime (Vocal)

While the powerhouses of the loose Native Tongue collective were undoubtedly De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and the Jungle Brothers, the wider family threw up some intriguing groups and unforgettable records.

Black Sheep the duo of Dres and Mr Lawnge were a natural fit for the Native Tongue vibe, displaying the same kind of wit and humour as their counterparts, with an off-kilter approach that helped them stand out.

While they only released one truly amazing album their debut A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing was a standout in 1991, one of hip-hops best years for LPs it spawned five unique singles, with this the first one that really garnered any attention.

While it wasnt a smash hit outside of hip-hop circles, it showcased their approach perfectly sinuous rhymes, clever wordplay and a hint of flirtation. If the drums sound familiar, its because its the same Joe Farrell break the intro to 1974s Upon This Rock that Kanye West later used for Gone. Add in some horns from Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass and youve got a funky little earworm.

They return to the same Joe Farrell well for the flip, Butt In the Meantime, because if the break isnt broke, dont fix it. Previously unavailable on 7, this brace of 1991 sureshots is the perfect introduction to the idiosyncrasies of the Native Tongue era.