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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.
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]
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]
| 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 | ||
Singles
| Year | Song | Peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Rap [4] | ||
| 1990 | "The Originators" | 13 |
| 1991 | "A Groove (This Is What U Rap 2)" | 18 |
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