Sex Packets is the debut album from the 1990s rap group Digital Underground and is a concept album about "G.S.R.A." (Genetic Suppression Relief Antedotes), a pharmaceutical substance that is produced in the form of a large glowing pill (about the size of a quarter), that comes in a condom-sized package, and is allegedly developed by the government to provide its intended users (Astronauts and the like) with a satisfying sexual experience in situations where the quest-for/attainment-of such experiences would be counterproductive to the mission at hand.
The album was released in the spring of 1990 following the success of its two lead-off singles: "Doowutchyalike," a moderate club hit, followed by mega-hit "The Humpty Dance," which climbed all the way to #11 on the pop charts, #7 on the R&B charts, and #1 on the Billboard Rap Singles chart. Sex Packets delivered on the promise of its singles with an abundance of P-Funk samples, jazzy interludes, and an innovative amalgam of samples and live instrumentation, earning it positive reviews and platinum sales.[8]The album was re-issued on February 8, 2005 by Rhino Entertainment. The album is broken down track-by-track by Digital Underground in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.[9]
In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums Ever.[10]
[edit] Track listing
[11]
| Details |
| 1. |
"The Humpty Dance" |
|
6:30 |
| 2. |
"The Way We Swing" |
|
6:48 |
| 3. |
"Rhymin' on the Funk" |
|
6:16 |
| 4. |
"The New Jazz (One)" |
|
0:37 |
| 5. |
"Underwater Rimes (Remix)" |
|
4:23 |
| 6. |
"Gutfest '89 (Edit)" |
|
5:50 |
| 7. |
"The Danger Zone" |
|
5:31 |
| 8. |
"Freaks of the Industry" |
|
5:38 |
| 9. |
"Doowutchyalike" |
|
8:51 |
| 10. |
"Packet Prelude" |
|
0:57 |
| 11. |
"Sex Packets" |
|
7:21 |
| 12. |
"Street Scene" |
|
0:33 |
| 13. |
"Packet Man" |
|
4:41 |
| 14. |
"Packet Reprise" |
|
1:23 |
[12]
| Details |
| 1. |
"The Humpty Dance" |
|
6:00 |
| 2. |
"The Way We Swing" |
|
6:48 |
| 3. |
"Packet Prelude" |
|
0:57 |
| 4. |
"Sex Packets" |
|
7:21 |
| 5. |
"Street Scene" |
|
0:33 |
| 6. |
"Packet Man" |
|
4:41 |
| Details |
| 1. |
"Freaks Of The Industry" |
|
5:38 |
| 2. |
"Underwater Rimes (Remix)" |
|
4:23 |
| 3. |
"The New Jazz (One)" |
|
0:37 |
| 4. |
"Rhymin' On The Funk" |
|
6:16 |
| 5. |
"The Danger Zone" |
|
5:31 |
| 6. |
"Packet Reprise" |
|
1:30 |
| 7. |
"Doowutchyalike" |
|
4:12 |
[edit] Cassette
[13]
The cassette version of the album has 3 extra tracks, plus an extended version of "Gutfest '89"
| Details |
| 1. |
"The Humpty Dance" |
|
6:30 |
| 2. |
"The Way We Swing" |
|
6:48 |
| 3. |
"Hip Hop Doll" |
Cassette-only track |
5:30 |
| 4. |
"Underwater Rimes (Remix)" |
|
4:23 |
| 5. |
"Rhymin' on the Funk" |
|
6:16 |
| 6. |
"The New Jazz (One)" |
|
0:37 |
| 7. |
"The Danger Zone" |
|
5:31 |
| 8. |
"Doowutchyalike" |
|
8:51 |
| Details |
| 9. |
"Freaks of the Industry" |
|
5:38 |
| 10. |
"Gutfest '89 (Full)" |
Cassette-only version |
8:17 |
| 11. |
"Sound of the Underground" |
Cassette-only track |
5:06 |
| 12. |
"A Tribute to the Early Days" |
Cassette-only track |
3:06 |
| 13. |
"Packet Prelude" |
|
0:57 |
| 14. |
"Sex Packets" |
|
7:21 |
| 15. |
"Street Scene" |
|
0:33 |
| 16. |
"Packet Man" |
|
4:41 |
| 17. |
"Packet Reprise" |
|
1:30 |
[edit] References
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ The Daily Vault review
- ^ Entertainment Weekly review
- ^ New York Times review
- ^ Rhapsody review
- ^ Rolling Stone review
- ^ Washington Post review
- ^ http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=279359168&albumId=124699&page=2
- ^ Coleman, Brian. Check The Technique: Liner Notes For Hip-Hop Junkies. New York: Villard/Random House, 2007.
- ^ "100 Best Rap Albums". The Source (New York) (#100). January, 1998. ISSN 1063-2085. http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/source.htm#100albums. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
- ^ http://www.discogs.com/Digital-Underground-Sex-Packets/release/387597
- ^ http://www.discogs.com/Digital-Underground-Sex-Packets/release/594492
- ^ http://www.discogs.com/Digital-Underground-Sex-Packets/release/1831088
[6]
