To Your Soul
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| To Your Soul | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 16, 1990[1] | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 51:54 | |||
| Label | EMI USA | |||
| Producer |
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| The Jaz chronology | ||||
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To Your Soul is the second studio album by American rapper and producer The Jaz, from New York, New York. It was released on July 16, 1990, via EMI USA.
Background
The album was recorded at D&D Studios, in New York City, New York, and was primarily produced by Jaz-O. The album also received production contributions from Prince Paul, Vandy C, and Chad Elliott. Jay-Z appears on two tracks.[2][3] Despite the album not reaching the Billboard charts, its two singles, "The Originators" and "A Groove (This Is What U Rap 2)," peaked at No. 13 and No. 18, respectively, on the Hot Rap Songs chart.[4]
Critical reception
Joshua Clover, in his book 1989: Bob Dylan Didn’t Have This to Sing About, called the album "vital, serious, deeply musical, with playful lyrics that come at varying speeds, sometimes blunt and heavy on the beat, sometimes syncopated and sudden, looking for a way to slip past any defense."[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Put the Squeeze on 'Em" | The Jaz | 3:52 |
| 2. | "It's That Simple" (featuring Jay-Z) | Prince Paul | 4:14 |
| 3. | "A Groove (This Is What U Rap 2)" |
| 3:53 |
| 4. | "Abnormal" | Prince Paul | 3:25 |
| 5. | "Ease Up Jaz" | Vandy C | 3:56 |
| 6. | "I'll Smoke You" |
| 3:53 |
| 7. | "Doped Up" | The Jaz | 4:53 |
| 8. | "To Your Soul" | Vandy C | 4:08 |
| 9. | "Flag of the Mahdi" |
| 2:22 |
| 10. | "A Nation Divided" | The Jaz | 4:32 |
| 11. | "Why?" | Vandy C | 4:28 |
| 12. | "Black Man in Charge" |
| 2:57 |
| 13. | "The Originators" (featuring Jay-Z) | The Jaz | 4:14 |
| 14. | "Not Shoutin' Out" | The Jaz | 1:07 |
| Total length: | 51:54 | ||
Personnel
- Jonathan Burks – main performer, producer (tracks: 1, 3, 6-7, 9-10, 12-14)
- Shawn Corey Carter – featured performer (tracks: 2, 13)
- Chad "Dr. Cuess" Elliott – producer (tracks: 3, 6, 9, 12)
- Vandy Colter – producer (tracks: 5, 8, 11), engineering
- Paul Edward Huston – producer (tracks: 2, 4)
- Dwayne Alexander – executive producer
- Gary Clugston – engineering
- Kieran Walsh – engineering
- Mike Rogers – engineering
- Herb Powers Jr. – mastering
- Henry Marquez – art direction
- Lu Ann Graffeo – design
- Jeffrey Scales – photography
Charts
Singles
| Year | Song | Peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Rap[4] | ||
| 1990 | "The Originators" | 13 |
| 1991 | "A Groove (This Is What U Rap 2)" | 18 |
References
- ^ To Your Soul by The Jaz on Apple Music, July 16, 1990, retrieved 2018-01-08
- ^ Beaumont, Mark (October 2, 2017). Jay-Z: The King of America. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857127921 – via Google Books.
- ^ Serwer, Jesse (July 23, 2013). "Jay Z's Best Songs Before "Reasonable Doubt"". Complex. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "The Jaz Chart History". Hot Rap Songs. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- ^ Clover, Joshua (October 12, 2010). 1989: Bob Dylan Didn't Have This to Sing About. Univ of California Press. ISBN 9780520267879 – via Google Books.
External links
- To Your Soul at Discogs (list of releases)
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