Last Call
Written 7/17/95 - 5/9/96 * Recorded 10/20/95 - 5/9/96 (16.5 hours in studio)
60 minutes, 15 tracks (+3), Featuring AC, Rob G and Christina Walker
The songs written but not recorded were "On Track" "Pro & Con" & "Look Out!".
Notes:
I knew this would be the last tape I would make while in school at Purdue, but I had no idea how prophetic the title would be. To this day it is the last album I have completed - though I have certainly started work on other(s). I had actually planned on coming down to Purdue on visits and seeing if I could gank some studio time - and I came pretty close to asking, but I never did and didn't really have the energy as time went on... anyway.
This is a decent tape, some good stuff came out of the sessions; however, a good amount of it is just mediocre. There seems to be some energy lacking. Perhaps knowing I was going out had an effect on my delivery. I got AC and Rob G again and another guest shot from Christina (singing AND rapping this time) though Dr. J is noticeably absent from this album. I'm not really sure why he didn't do anything on this one... Stan was again supposed to come down for a track but never made it. Doh.
Perhaps the lack of powerful beats let my vibe slip a little - two tracks from Mic Geronimo, two tracks from Miilkbone, two tracks from Onyx - self explanation at its best. But, the DJ Krush (What The Hell), The Roots (Bring The Hook) and Crooklyn Dodgers '95 (More Than You Bargained For) beats were definitely up to par - and I think some of the best tracks of Last Call are these. A Second to Wreck It had some nice lyrical work in it, and the beat was nice. The Natural Selection (with AC) was fun, though kinda sloppy. Back Flip was aiight. #138 had a mellow beat and a shitload of lyrics and turned out ok. All the rest were
just alright. Nothing I think was bad, just not all that spectacular.
The recording process for this LP took forever... and I can't remember why. I started in October, and I had 6 songs recorded by Christmas Break. I got back and finished 3 more tracks right away in January. But, for whatever reason - I only got two
tracks done in all of Feb/March. ?? I did vocal overdubbing on Bring The Hook and I really dig how it turned out. I did a cool lil' slow speed intro with a looped Dre beat before First Things First. There was a cool sample in What The Hell courtesy of Rob G's baby boy's toddler toys. I even recorded myself clapping a beat with my hands that I rapped over on the title track. However - I didn't record my clapping in the right time and I had trouble keeping up with myself when I did the vocals! doh!
AC did some good work on both the tracks he did, before we had our falling out. Incidentally, Back Flip is completely about him. You can probably get an idea just from the title... Rob G brings the lyrical funk on both his tracks, as usual, and Christina oohs and aahs on Lyrical Milkshake, crooning some sweet vocals and even throwing down her own verse. More Than You Bargained For would have made As Bestos, if it weren't for the FUCKUP that I made more than once... but it was a pain getting the whole track down and so we just went with that cut since most of it was done well. Actually, you probably can't tell when I mess up, but I know what I was *supposed* to say, so it bothers the shit outta me. #138 is the title of the song because I wanted to write a song without a title, inspired by David Matthews (i.e. #34, #36, #41) and since the song is nothing but lyrics and no hook or chorus, it didn't need a title. Especially since I am talking about anything and everything on that track.
It took me awhile to get the finishing touches done on the last
track, and I actually finished it on the last day of the semester. The whole school was shut down, it was Senior Week (5 days before Graduation) and the studio wasn't even supposed to be open - I tried to get the key but they wouldn't give it to me...
I went down there and tried the door and lo and behold it was
open! The heavens were smiling down or some shit, and I went it
as incognito as I could and finished my vocals. I also had a hell of a time getting the tape covers finished. I wanted to incorporate an actual picture into the cover, and since I wasn't schooled in scanning or paint!, I just went with the patented
Xerox method - but I had the shittiest time finding a copy
machine. I was all over the damn place looking for one to use, and it was a Sunday. I don't even remember where I finally got it done. I only ended up passing out 4 copies of this tape, I think...
Pro & Con was written to feature Rob G but we went with What The Hell instead. On Track was the Two Dope track with Stan but we never got together to do it up. Look Out! was based on a real sexual encounter with Miss Christina. heh.
First Things First - where else should you start?
A Second To Wreck It - ...is all I need.
The Natural Selection - survival of the phattest.
Bring The Hook - i.e. chorus, refrain, etc.
Make A Deposit - I make lyrical withdrawls, daily.
Lyrical Milkshake - a whole bunch of meaningless BS, puree on HIGH for 5 minutes.
More Than You Bargained For - ask me if I got something on my mind? yeah, slightly...
Back Flip - I thought you had my back, kid - I can't believe what you did
What The Hell - why ask why?
Last Call - I'm out for a sec, but it won't last...
Lyric of the Album : "I catch wreck like a double deck bus accident" (A Second To Wreck It)
Honorable Mention : "Rhymes are like cereal and you can't even wheat check it" (More Than You Bargained For)
