Dres & Stu Bangas "Sheep Stu" (EP Stream)

Legendary MC Dres of Black Sheep returns with his latest offering, a collaborative EP with underground's most prolific producer, Stu Bangas. The 5-track EP, entitled Sheep Stu, features A.G. of the Diggin' In The Crates crew and has Dres spittin' like I haven't heard in a long time. I've lost count of the collaborative albums and instrumental releases that have come from Stu Bangas in recent years, all of which have been consistently dope. The Mr. Lif and Stu Bangas Vangarde project especially. Teaming up with Native Tongue's Dres was a dope, albeit unexpected choice and shows the range of both artists. Dig into their EP below... and hit the archive for more from both artists.

Black Sheep "Non-Fiction" (December 6, 1994)

....So, now it's Non-Fiction--another way of portraying what is "real," just in a more creatively flexible way. The Sheep's Non-Fiction is novel in that Dres says what others couldn't think to say. Non-Fiction also has a reality that may shock you: Lawnge gets on the mic.... If Lawnge can serve some lyrical purpose, then it could perhaps be forcing fools to appreciate Dres' resourcefulness and language manipulation. In "Autobiographical," Dres talks of his personal Hip Hop gestation and growth--but in a style that requires some ear reading. On "Peace to the N!ggas," Dres races past a plodding bass line that is reminiscent of "Similak's" homogenized mix. "N!ggas got reprimanded, remanded and then branded / I delve into myself to draw the strength to overstand it." There's certainly both a familial and communal consciousness that is nicely combined with MC combat. On "Do Your Thing": "Time zone / I groans for my sanity I told ya's / I woke up this morning and the world was on my shoulders / They say I'm destined to repeat / We'll see / I fall and rise / So when you look up to my son / You'll see me in his eyes." Furthermore, only Dres can flow "I clean up after my son 'cause that's my duty (dooty)" and sound fly on the shit. And, believe it or not, there's only two cuts about boning. Later, the Legion shows up on "We Boys." Here, Dres flows like a verbally feral Errol Flynn--spryly evading wackness with poetic parries.... With regard to most of the boardwork, Black Sheep sound like Black Sheep--needing, tweaky horns and strange bass lines that were charismatic on their vanguard debut. But some of the tracks are sheepish, shying away from the duo's hallmark edge and just keeping matters on the regular. So please treat this like a record and not some phantasmagorical myth. 'Cause it's rare to see such a keen grasp of the word go hand-in-hand with a skillfully firm grasp on the mic. And that's blessed within D-r-e-s. - Rap Pages (12/94).

The full review and backside of their promotional postcard are below...

Black Sheep "Tortured Soul" (Album Stream)

Tortured Soul is the latest project from Dres of Black Sheep. Reppin' the group, Dres has enlisted production from Showbiz, Bean One, Paten Locke, Jim B, J. Sands and more, as well as features from Red Alert, Chi-Ali, Sadat X, Alexander Simone, Shalence and more. Dres released From The Black Pool of Genius in 2010 and a collaborative album with Jarobi of A Tribe Called Quest, called Speed of Life, as the group EvitaN in 2012. Tortured Soul is a welcomed addition to Dres' catalog and I recommend giving it a listen below. Dres has always had a smooth, silky flow and he delivers insightful content on this album, over solid production from some fan favorites. R.I.P. Phife Dawg.

Black Sheep "Similak Child" (Homogenized Remix, Video)

I was at my boy's crib back in '92 when I heard Dres' voice coming from the television; I recognized the lyrics to 'Similak Child,' but the beat in the video was totally different from the album version. Pre-Internet, I had to go to the record store and dig up the 12" ... labeled the 'Homogenized Remix,' the production was credited to Andres Titus (Dres) and William McLean (Mista Lawnge); another self-produced hit! The bassline was so heavy and the background sample of 'Louie' by Allen Toussaint was so ill; it was later used by Gravediggaz on 'Constant Elevation' and the Troubleneck Brothers came back and sampled from Black Sheep on their super underground smash 'Troubleneck Wreck.' People argue over which is better: the remix or the original with the Jefferson Airplane 'Today' sample, but all these years later, I still come back to the remix over the album cut. I'm not mad whichever version people like most because the video and concept of the record are A+ either way, lol. At the time, I believe this was the 4th single from their debut album 'A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing,' which I absolutely think is a classic and it's another example of how ahead of their time the whole Native Tongues collective was back in the late 80s, early 90s. Peep the video below.

Black Sheep "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" 25th Anniversary Mix

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Black Sheep's classic debut 'A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing', Chris Read blesses us with yet another exclusive mix of album tracks, alternate versions, and original sample material. Artwork by Leon Nockolds. I haven't dug into this one yet, but I'm hoping the Homogenized Remix of Similak Child is on it, that's always been my joint! Hit the tags for more mixes.

Black Sheep "Non Fiction" (Vibe, 1/95)

"If you're looking for another A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing, forget it. But the bad boys who were down with the mostly defunct Native Tongues and Flavor Unit crews are back after a three year hiatus. And with the new Non-Fiction, Black Sheep show another side of themselves. Right away, in the "Non-Fiction Intro," the Sheep - Dres and Mista Lawnge - inform you that Non-Fiction is "something else." Their second album is way less humorous and "honey"-conscious than the first. And Black Sheep's music has shifted: it's simpler, more eerie, and more jazzy. On tracks like "Who's Next?" and "Gotta Get Up," they hold off on Wolf's signature cowbells, while bass lines and horns get muffled and sped up. "Summa tha Time" has a nice Latin mellowness - the piano and flute strut behind vocals from the (Black Sheep-produced) girl group Emage. Not just another hip-hop / R&B jam, "Summa" is a real, head-nodding groove." Check out the album, Non Fiction, and continue below...

"The way Black Sheep rhyme, however, has not changed. In the aptly titled "Autobiographical," Dres flips the script on himself, recollecting his badass days and flowing in a non-hyper, Native Tongues-style, storytelling manner. It's a detailed, almost visual vignette about a boy who constantly lives close to trouble. And on "Let's Get Cozy," Mista Lawnge describes an explicit sexual prelude, reassuring fans that the "Sugard#ck Daddy" can still be as nasty as he wants to be. Tunes like "Peace to the N!ggas," "Me & My Brother," and "We Boys," though, suffer from sophomore slouchiness. The production on these cuts is lazy - hooks aim high and miss. But mercifully, on Non-Fiction Black Sheep seldom fall into playing the tired game of who's-hard-and-who's-not. Does hard necessarily equal hoodlum? For Black Sheep, it's just not that simple." - Vibe, January 1995.

Black Sheep "Without A Doubt" (Review, 1994)

"Non-Fiction" is the sophomore album from the Native Tongues duo Black Sheep. The LP had two singles in "Without A Doubt" and "North, South, East, West." The album was produced internally by Dres and Mista Lawnge, with additional production by Salaam Remi on "Without a Doubt." The album had features from Chi-Ali, Showbiz & AG and The Legion. In 1994 when it was released, it really took a while for the album to grow on me, but when I look at the write-up in The Source, it tells me I'm not alone in that sentiment. "A warm, slow bass provides the anchor for Black Sheep's long-awaited comeback single, which comes as a mild surprise. Unlike the hyped part-tempo of "Choice Is Yours," Dres and Mr. Lawnge have returned with some mellow, rollin-in-your ride type shit. "Without a Doubt" takes its own sweet time, and while the decreased pitch initially fails to get the blood boiling, a couple listens will align your mental with the slower groove and lead you to appreciate the flyness at work here." With that in mind - after all these years - I find I have to be in the mood to revisit the album, but whenever I do, I generally find myself throwing it on and listening all the way through. "Without A Doubt" is still the stand-out record, watch the video below, and let me know what you think of the album. Was it a slow-burn for you too? A classic? Y/N? Revisit it below...

Black Sheep Promo Condoms + "Strobelite Honey" (Video, 1991)

"Strobelite Honey" is the 1991 single from the hip-hop duo of Mista Lawnge & Dres as Black Sheep. The single was Black Sheep's third release from their "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" album in 1991. "Strobelight Honey" was their second entry on the US R&B chart, where it went peaked at #36 on the R&B sales chart and #80 on the Hot 100. The single sampled a pair of songs, both released in 1980: "I Like What You Do To Me" by Young & Company and "Take Your Time (Do it Right)" by the SOS Band. While not released to promote the single in particular, the "Put Your Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" / "Skins" condoms are an exceptional piece of physical promo for their "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" LP. Check out the video to "Strobelite Honey" below, and always hit the tags for more!

Black Sheep "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" (HHC, 1991)

"Two things have been further clarified by the release of this long-awaited album. One, a sizeable chunk of hip-hop has dispensed with the 'immediate attention grabbing' beats of the past, together with a shift of emphasis toward the content of the lyrics and the common themes running throughout the album. The Leaders of the New School's "Future Without A Past" is an example, as are KMD's "Mr Hood" and Quest's "Low End Theory." "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" can be added to the list. Forget searching for a hype dancefloor filling album and instead tune in to an excellent and unique selection of breaks (with an emphasis on jazz-funk like the SOS Band) and lyrics that are purposefully not conscious; "I kick about things that I know about," says Dres to two hypocritical knife wielding 'conscious' thugs in "Are You Mad?" - just one of many hilarious musical sketches throughout the LP." Check out the video to their smash hit, "Choice Is Yours" and more, cont'd....

"The second issue becoming clearer is more delicate. As self-confessed "Doo-doo eating, vomit tasting, pre-marital sex" havers, the Black Sheep are unashamedly sexist - "Ho is merely short for honey" Dres retaliates on "LASM." "We've dropped the 'nee', so why don't you drop to yours!" I'm sorry, but I just can't help chuckling at quips like that! And as it looks like the 'dissing women' factor is here to stay the best defence is to diss straight back - as MC Lyte and Yo Yo have done so well! The Black Sheep are lyrically adept and after it sinks in, you're sure to be hooked to this album ... that is if you're a 'black sheep' kinda person too!" - Hip-Hop Connection, 1991. Love this album!

If you're interested, you can check out a copy of the full review below...

Black Sheep "Flavor Of The Month" (The Source, 7/91)

"Along with DJ and incredibly talented Mista Lawnge, Dres busts out with fat rhymes on tracks. The Black Sheep should literally be viewed as the black sheep of the family - the Native Tongue family that is is (consisting of De La, Quest, The Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, etc). You won't find any dreadlocks here. The Black Sheep have more of a street approach combined with an image that makes them look like a pair of GQ cover boys ... "Flavor Of The Month" has a catchy mid-tempo beat (with a vicious kick) and an eerie bassline acceded by quick guitar samples, while the chorus hooks the ear with funky horns. The Black Sheep's multi-layered tracks are unique and progressive yet they definitely have the underground feel. Mista Lawnge's production abilities and Dres' smoothness-personified rhyme style make the Black Sheep something to keep an eye on in '91." - The Source, 7/91. Watch the visuals to "Flavor Of The Month" off A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing below...

You can save a copy of the original review in The Source (7/91) below...