A Tribe Called Quest is one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all time, contributing an absolutely epic run of three all-time albums in the 90’s. Midnight Marauders is the second album of that run, book-ended by 1991’s Low End Theory and 1996’s Beats, Rhymes and Life. Tribe’s use of jazz, funk, soul, and R&B samples almost single-handedly ushered in the “New York sound” of 90’s hip hop, with laid-back lounge-like beats serving the foundation for the smooth rhymes of MC’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Q-Tip, and Phife Dawg.
There’s not much better than the flow, intonation, and crystal clear vocal effects style of 90’s hip-hop, and Midnight Marauders is filled chock-full with that production approach. This album was “self-produced” in the sense that Tribe member Q-Tip handled production for the majority of the album, but considering he’s largely regarded of one of the best hip-hop producers of all time it’s sort of like saying Gordon Ramsey cooks his own meals at home– it’s all about the context.
A final note– here at Music of Matthew we love a good album theme, and Midnight Marauders use of a monotone female tour guide that sounds like an automated hold message to open the album and provide an interlude between songs is a nice touch. It reminds me of Queens of the Stone Age’s Songs for the Deaf and Solange’s A Seat at the Table in that it really adds to the rythm and flow of the entire experience.
Standout Songs: “Midnight”, “We Can Get Down”, “Steve Biko (Stir It Up)”, “The Chase, Part II”
