Track Listing DISC 1: 1. Marley Intro 1 2. Droppin' Science - (featuring Craig G) 3. Marley Intro 2 4. We Write the Songs - (featuring Heavy D/Biz Markie) 5. Marley Intro 3 6. Rebel, The - (featuring Tragedy) 7. Marley Intro 4 8. Keep Your Eye on the Prize - (featuring Masta Ace) 9. Marley Intro 5 10. Symphony, The - (featuring Craig G/Kool G Rap/Masta Ace/Big Daddy Kane) 11. Marley Intro 6 12. Live Motivator - (featuring Tragedy) 13. Marley Intro 7 14. Duck Alert - (featuring Craig G) 15. Marley Intro 8 16. Simon Says - (featuring Masta Ace) 17. Marley Intro 9 18. Freedom - (featuring MC Shan) 19. Marley Intro 10 20. Wack Itt - (featuring Roxanne Shanté) 21. Marley Outro
DISC 2: 1. Droppin' Science - (mix) 2. Symphony, The - (Remix, remix) 3. Wack Itt 4. We Write the Songs [Live at the Apollo] - (previously unreleased, live) 5. Symphony/Duck Alert/Droppin' Science [Live at the Apollo], The - (previously unreleased, live) 6. Symphony, The 7. Droppin' Science - (Remix, remix) 8. Symphony [Marley's Symphony Scratch], The - (remix) 9. Evolution - (featuring Glamorous/Kool G Rap/MC Shan/T.J. Swan/Debbie D) 10. Juice Crew All Stars - (featuring Craig G/Glamorous/Kool G Rap/MC Shan/Roxanne Shanté/Tragedy)
| Details | | Contributing Artists: | Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Craig G, Debbie D, Glamorous, Heavy D, Kool G. Rap, MC Shan, Masta Ace, Master Ace, Roxanne Shante, T.J. Swan, Tragedy | | Producer: | Marley Marl | | Distributor: | (Independently by Label) | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes Audio Mixer: Marley Marl. Liner Note Author: Brian Coleman. Recording information: 11/19/1988. Photographer: George DuBose. IN CONTROL, VOL. 1 is a greatest-hits package featuring singles Marley Marl produced for his stable of artists on the Cold Chillin' label. The album serves to show exactly how important Marley Marl was to the advancement of hip-hop. Before him, hip-hop relied mostly on primitive, artificial sounding 808 drum machine beats. He transformed the genre completely with his stock of drum loops, most lifted from James Brown records. His crisp beats enlivened hip-hop and set the tone for the sample madness that would eventually consume producers. IN CONTROL, VOL. 1 includes some of the best moments from the producer's hip-hop revolution. Rap heavyweights Biz Markie and Heavy D try their hands at a Barry Manilow impression on their transformation of "We Write the Songs." Master Ace and Action attempt some hip-hop upliftment on "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize," and Master Ace, Craig G., Kool G Rap, and Big Daddy Kane join forces for one of the best posse cuts in hip-hop history, "The Symphony." While some of these rappers, most notably Heavy D and Big Daddy Kane, would go on to further success, none ever would sound this tight again. Marley Marl's groundbreaking production and the strength of the various MCs showcased on IN CONTROL, VOL. 1 make the album a must for anyone even remotely interested in hip-hop's history. In Control, Vol. 1 is a greatest-hits package (of a sort) featuring singles Marley Marl produced for his stable of artists on the Cold Chillin' label. Mostly though, the album serves to show exactly how important Marley Marl was to the advancement of hip-hop. Before him, hip-hop relied mostly on primitive, artificial sounding 808 drum machine beats. He transformed the genre completely with his stock of drum loops, most lifted from James Brown records. His crisp beats enlivened hip-hop and set the tone for the sample madness that would eventually consume producers. In Control, Vol. 1 includes some of the best moments from the producer's hip-hop revolution. Rap heavyweights Biz Markie and Heavy D try their hands at a Barry Manilow impression on their transformation of "We Write the Songs." Master Ace and Action attempt some hip-hop upliftment on "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize," and Master Ace, Craig G., Kool G Rap, and Big Daddy Kane join forces for one of the best posse cuts in hip-hop history, "The Symphony." While some of these rappers, most notably Heavy D and Big Daddy Kane, would go on to further success, none ever would sound this tight again. Marley Marl's groundbreaking production and the strength of the various MCs showcased on In Control, Vol. 1 make the album a must for anyone even remotely interested in hip-hop's history. [The expanded edition includes commentary by Marley Marl, as well as a second disc of material previously unavailable on CD.] ~ Chris Witt
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