As we keep the series of Each One Teach One rolling along it would be hard not to mention D’original – Jeru the Damaja and the impact his music had on the industry during the 90s especially with his first two releases.

A true classic from the ‘Golden Era’ of hip hop that saw him team up with one of the undisputed heavyweights in the game… DJ Premier.

Wrath of the Math is Jeru the Damaja’s second album and is entirely produced by DJ Premier. It was released on Payday Records back in October 1996 and was the follow up to Jeru’s debut release on the same label ‘The Sun Rises In The East’ which again featured the midas touch of Premier.  The inner notes on the cover read “This album was created to SAVE hip-hop and the minds of the people who listen to it” and Jeru sticks by this statement with mentally stimulating lyrics that aimed to spark the minds of listeners and also by having pops at the likes of Puff Daddy and commercial hip-hop in general.

Basically Jeru’s lyrics are ‘socially conscious’ throughout the album as he tells it like it is. The track ‘One Day’ is a fine example of this. Wrath of the Math only features one guest emcee, fellow Gang Starr foundation member Afu Ra who was the Damaja’s lyrical sidekick during this time and who also was putting out modern classics like ‘Whirlwind Through Cities’ around the same period. Wrath of the Math is close on being 15 years old now and is still probably one of the most profound and insightful pieces of hip-hop music to date but it was also the last time that Premier and Jeru would work together due to creative differences and a general falling out between the pair. Here it is now in it’s stripped down original format! Pass it on, each one teach one and Enjoy….

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Each One Teach One – Vol 4 by ChoiceCuts

Wrath Of The Math

Original recording artist: Miles Davis
Sample taken from: Will O The Wisp
Appears on: Sketches of Spain
Released by: Columbia (1959)

Possibly the most accessible album my Miles Davis. Will O The Wisp was used on both the intro and outro to Wrath of the Math and is one of the more jazzier cuts from Sketches of Spain. Strictly laid back business and a track that could feature in any horror movie in my opinion. Killer stuff from Miles who never really put a foot wrong.

The Frustrated Nigga

Original recording artist: Odetta
Sample taken from: Hit Or Miss
Appears on: Odetta Sings
Released by: Polydor (1970)

What sweet folky goodness. This cut from Odetta really is a gem. Bob Dylan was a huge fan of hers apparently and its a wonder why she never got more recognition especially with such a strong voice and powerful soul presence. Nugget! Some other samples in this record included James Brown’s – My Thang and Kool & The Gangs – Jungle Boogie.

Whatever

Original recording artist: Esther Phillips
Sample taken from: That’s All Right with Me
Appears on: From A Whisper To A Scream
Released by: Kudo (1971)

Fans of Mobb Deep will of course know this record. A lovely slow jam from Esther who sure could belt them out. I love this track. Its a pure feel good song and one that’s been used in numerous productions over the years but its Premier’s touch here that really brings it to life. Enjoy.

Physical Stamina

Original recording artist: George Clinton
Sample taken from: Bodygaurd
Appears on: Some Of My Best Jokes Are Friends
Released by: Capital (1985)

Make my funk da p-funk! Clinton all the way…The intro with the guitar strings is what Premo focused on here to turn a simple few chords into a magical beat which Jeru absolutely murders on the track. Possibly my favourite cut of the album!

One Day

Original recording artist: Ahmad Jamal
Sample taken from: Don’t Misunderstand
Appears on: Jamalca
Released by: 20th Century (1974)

Ah the rant on commercialism and Puff Daddy in general. I wore this groove out on my copy of Wrath of the Math. This is a fine example that showcases the art of sampling. Ahmad Jamal’s records have been used over the years in many productions but nobody has ears quite like Premo do they? To pull this piece out and flip it like he did is pretty special. God bless Ahmad Jamal!

Revenge of the Prophet (Part 5)

Original recording artist: Q65
Sample taken from: Get out My Life, Woman
Appears on: Revolution
Released by: Decca 1966

A pretty obscure band from The Netherlands who formed in the 1960′s releasing some r&b records but never really making an impact on the industry. This cut has been covered many times over the years and still sounds great today. It’s still the Lee Dorsey version for me however that’s on rotation.

Me or the Papes

Original recording artist: Ahamd Jamal
Sample taken from: I Love Music
Appears on: The Awakening
Released by: Impulse (1970)

Another Jamal recording and a record that I’m still trying to hunt down. Everyone has used this track including Pete Rock on Nas’s – The World Is Yours and Shades of Brooklyn on Change (which is another record on my wants list) for example but its Premo again that dives into a specific few bars that give Me or the Papes it’s driving force. Other samples include ‘Money’ by Pink Floyd.

Too Perverted

Original recording artist: Love Unlimited Orchestra
Sample taken from: Do Drop In
Appears on: Together Brothers OST
Released by: Polygram (1999)

R.I.P Barry White who assisted L.U.O on this soundtrack and a moody piece of music that gave Premo the ingredients to make a straight up ‘bang your head’ beat which Jeru certainly complimented.

Ya Playin’ Yaself

Original recording artist: New Birth
Sample taken from: You Are What I’m All About
Appears on: Birth Day
Released by: RCA VCA (1972)

Another piece of magic from the New Birth, a group that I’m slowly familiarizing myself with. Ya Playin Yaself saw Jeru at his most jiggy on this cut which he flows over with ease but its the original here that has all the layed back swagger thats suited to the headphones. Love this!

Invasion

Original recording artist: Jimmy McGriff
Sample taken from: Playland
Appears on: Outside Looking In
Released by: Lester Radio Corporation (1978)

This records got a bit of everything – Killer intro, a little cheese, flute solo, bounce and a killer groove. Its the intro Premier seemed interested in however and leads the main loop for Invasion. Lovely piece of work from Jimmy McGriff – R.I.P