In the decades since they exploded on the scene in the mid-1980s, Eric B. & Rakim have been universally recognized as one of hip-hop’s greatest creative units. Eric B.’s distinctive soundscapes, and cuts, and Rakim’s philosophically deep and lyrically complex raps remain unequaled, and the duo’s classic recordings remain a benchmark of the genre.
Although the duo’s albums have remained immensely influential, all have been out of print on vinyl in the U.S. for many years, making the UMe release The Complete Collection 1987-1992 an especially timely package. Not only a monument to Eric B. & Rakim’s larger-than-life catalog, this ten-piece vinyl / CD set is the first U.S. career-encompassing box set for any hip-hop artist.
The Complete Collection 1987-1992 incorporates 2-LP vinyl editions of each of Eric B. & Rakim’s four original albums — 1987’s Paid In Full, 1988’s Follow the Leader, 1990’s Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em and 1992’s Don’t Sweat the Technique — plus two bonus CDs of classic remixes, none of which have ever appeared on an album, and only a handful of which have previously been available digitally. All four LPs and both CDs are housed in a ridged slipcase that also boasts a 36-page book (with 29 vintage photos spanning the group’s career together, as well as liner notes from writers Tom Terrell and Brian Coleman).
The bonus CDs include an impressive 26 vintage remixes, including such influential classics as Coldcut’s “Seven Minutes of Madness” mix for “Paid In Full”; the “Six Minutes of Soul” reworking of “I Know You Got Soul” (by Double Trouble aka Norman “Fatboy Slim” and Danny D; Marley Marl and M.C. Shan’s original 1986 mix of “My Melody”; and “Friends,” Eric B & Rakim’s 1989 Top Ten collaboration with Jody Watley.
Hailing from Queens, New York and Wyandanch, Long Island, respectively, forward-thinking DJ and producer Eric B (born Eric Barrier) and revered lyricist Rakim (born William Michael Griffin Jr.) are, according to AllMusic, “almost universally recognized as the premier DJ/MC team in all of hip-hop.” After debuting with the independently released “Eric B Is President” single in 1986, they would go on to establish themselves as the hardest, most musically complex and most lyrically challenging rap act in the world. Rakim’s rhymes boasted plain-spoken but complex imagery and thought, ambitious internal rhymes, and a smooth, deliberate and unmistakable flow, while Eric’s innovative sonic experimentation was highlighted by his early manipulation of samples, including his pioneering mining of James Brown’s catalogue.
The Complete Collection 1987-1992 is packed to the ceiling with hip-hop classics. The landmark debut Paid In Full, which many fans consider to be the greatest album in hip-hop history, includes the beloved classics “I Know You Got Soul” and “Eric B Is President,” as well as the title track, which inspired no less than 30 remixes. The equally fierce follow-up Follow the Leader boasts such favorites as “Microphone Fiend” and the title track, and expanded the debut album’s minimalistic sound into broader, darker sonic territory. Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em found the pair maintaining their stature on such tracks as “Step Back” and “In the Ghetto.” And Don’t Sweat the Technique brought the twosome’s sound to a plateau with songs like “Pass the Hand Grenade” and “Casualties of War.”
More than three decades after they hit on wax, Eric B. & Rakim have recently started touring together again, and remain one of hip-hop’s seminal acts. The Complete Collection 1987-1992 presents their brilliant body of work the way it was meant to be heard!
TRACKLIST:
PAID IN FULL [1987] (2-LP)
1. I Ain’t No Joke
2. Eric B. Is on the Cut
3. My Melody
4. I Know You Got Soul
5. Move the Crowd
6. Paid in Full
7. As the Rhyme Goes On
8. Chinese Arithmetic
9. Eric B. Is President
10. Extended Beat
FOLLOW THE LEADER [1988] (2-LP)
1. Follow the Leader
2. Microphone Fiend
3. Lyrics of Fury
4. Eric B. Never Scared
5. Just a Beat
6. Put Your Hands Together
7. To the Listeners
8. No Competition
9. The R
10. Musical Massacre
11. Beats for the Listeners
LET THE RHYTHM HIT EM [1990] (2-LP)
1. Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em
2. No Omega
3. In the Ghetto
4. Step Back
5. Eric B. Made My Day
6. Run for Cover
7. Untouchables
8. Mahogany
9. Keep ‘Em Eager to Listen
10. Set ‘Em Straight
DON’T SWEAT THE TECHNIQUE [1992] (2-LP)
1. What’s on Your Mind?
2. Teach the Children
3. Pass the Hand Grenade
4. Casualties of War
5. Rest Assured
6. The Punisher
7. Relax with Pep
8. Keep the Beat
9. What’s Going On?
10. Know the Ledge
11. Don’t Sweat the Technique
12. Kick Along
BONUS CD ONE
1. Paid In Full seven minutes of madness — the coldcut remix
Originally released on UK 4th & B’way 12-inch single 12 BRW 78, Oct 19, 1987
2. Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em UPSO mix
Remix and additional production by Blacksmith
Originally issued on UK MCA 12-inch single MCAT 1433, 1990
3. The R remix
Remix by C.J. Mackintosh and Dave Dorrell
Originally issued on Uni 12-inch single UNI-8012, December 1988
4. Casualties of War smooth mix
Remix and Additional Production by Soulshock, Cutfather & Karlin for Soulpower Productions.
Mixed by Kenneth Kikkenborg at Werner Studios, Copenhagen.
Originally released on MCA 12-inch single MCA 11505, 1992
5. Don’t Sweat The Technique funky ginger club version
Remixed by Simon ‘The Funky Ginger’ Law & Mr. Lee
Originally released on UK MCA 12-inch single MCA12-54369, 1992
6. My Melody original mix
Mixed by Marley Marl & M.C. Shan
Originally released on Zakia 12-inch ZK-014, 1986
Reissued on 4th & B’way 12-inch BWAY- 431, 1986
7. As The Rhyme Goes On pumpin’ the turbo – chad jay in effect
Remixed by Chad Jay
Human mouth madness by Sefton Terminator
Originally released on UK 4th & B’way 12-inch 12BRW 106, July 18, 1988
8. In The Ghetto drums and Rakim mix
Remixed by Mark Morales and Mark Rooney for Mark Morales Productions
Originally released on MCA 12-inch single MCA12-53901, May 4, 1990
9. Casualties of War militant remix
Additional Production & Remix by Michael “Militant Mixx ‘n” Moor for Militant Mic Productions
Originally released on MCA 12-inch single MCA12-54492, 1992
10. Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em 12″ vocal version remix
Executive Producer: Eric B.
Remixed by DJ Mark “The 45 King”
Originally issued on MCA 12-inch single MCA-24026, 1990
11. Move The Crowd the wild bunch remix
Remixed by The Wild Bunch
Originally released on UK 4th & B’way 12-inch 12BRW 88, Feb 8, 1988
12. I Know You Got Soul six minutes of soul – the double trouble remix
Remixed by Double Trouble
BONUS CD TWO
1. Friends
JODY WATLEY WITH ERIC B. & RAKIM
Produced by Andre Cymone
From Jody Watley’s MCA album Larger Than Life (1989)
2. Put Your Hands Together parkside mix
Remixed by Graeme Park
Originally issued on UK MCA Records 12-inch single MCAT-1300, 1988
3. Casualties of War radical radio edit
Additional Production & Remix by Michael “Militant Mixx ‘n” Moor for Militant Mic Productions
Originally released on MCA 12-inch single MCA8P-2386, 1992
4. Paid In Full derek b.’s urban respray
Remixed b Derek B.
Remix Engineer: Chief Engineer Scott
Originally released on UK 4th & B’way 12-inch 12 BRX 78, 1987
5. Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em 45 king club mix
Remixed by DJ Mark “The 45 King”
Originally issued on MCA 12-inch single MCA-24026, 1990
6. Microphone Fiend extended remix
Remixed by DJ Mark “The 45 King”
Originally issued on Uni 12-inch single UNI-8007, 1990
7. No Omega extended remix version
Remixed by Bret Lover
Issued on MCA 12-inch single MCA12-53997, Feb 12, 1991
8. Don’t Sweat The Technique UK flavor club version
Remixed by Simon ‘The Funky Ginger’ Law & Mr. Lee
Originally released on UK MCA 12-inch single MCA12-54369, 1992
9. Casualties of War soulpower remix
Remix and Additional Production by Soulshock, Cutfather & Karlin for Soulpower Productions.
Mixed by Kenneth Kikkenborg at Werner Studios, Copenhagen.
Originally released on MCA 12-inch single MCA 11505, 1992
10. Mahogany extended remix version
Remixed by Eric B. for Lyn Star
Issued on MCA 12-inch single MCA12-53997, Feb 12, 1991
11. Put Your Hands Together fon force mix
Remixed by Mark Brydon and Robert Gordon for Fon Force
Originally issued on UK MCA Records 12-inch single MCAT-1300, 1988
12. Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em brixton bass mix
Remixed and additional production by Blacksmith
Engineered by Paul Wright
Originally issued on UK MCA 12-inch single MCAT 1433, 1990
13. Move The Crowd beatmix by the democratic 3 featuring dj slack
Beatmix by The Democratic 3
Originally released on UK 4th & B’way 12-inch 12 BRW 88, Feb 8, 1988
14. I Know You Got Soul the richie rich megamix
Megamix by Richie Rich
Remix Engineer: PJ “Dyna-mix” Smith
Originally issued on UK 4th & B’way 12-inch 12 BRW 69, June 1, 1987
