De La Soul: 3 Feet High and Rising Vinyl (Magenta)

3 Feet High and Rising is the debut studio album by hip hop trio De La Soul and was released on March 3, 1989. It marked the first of three full-length collaborations with producer Prince Paul, which would become the critical and commercial peak of both parties. Critically, as well as commercially, the album was a success. It contains the singles, “Me Myself and I”, “The Magic Number,” “Buddy,” and “Eye Know”. The album title came from the Johnny Cash song “Five Feet High and Rising”. It is listed on Rolling Stone’s 200 Essential Rock Records and The Source’s 100 Best Rap Albums. When Village Voice held its annual Pazz & Jop Critics Poll for 1989, 3 Feet High and Rising was ranked #1. It was also listed on the Rolling Stone’s The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Released amid the 1989 boom in gangsta rap, which gravitated towards hardcore, confrontational, violent lyrics, De La Soul's uniquely positive style made them an oddity beginning with the first single, “Me, Myself and I.” Their positivity meant many observers labeled them a “hippie” group, based on their declaration of the “D.A.I.S.Y. Age” (Da. Inner. Sound. Y'all). Sampling artists as diverse as Hall & Oates, Steely Dan and The Turtles, 3 Feet High and Rising is often viewed as the stylistic beginning of 1990s alternative hip hop (and especially jazz rap). 3 Feet High & Rising was chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry for its cultural significance and general excellence.

Tracklist

LP 1
Side A:
1A. Intro
2A. The Magic Number
3A. Change in Speak
4A. Cool Breeze on the Rocks (The Melted Version)
5A. Can U Keep a Secret
6A. Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge)
7A. Ghetto Thang
Side B:
1B. Transmitting Live from Mars
2B. Eye Know
3B. Take It Off
4B. A Little Bit of Soap
5B. Tread Water
6B. Potholes in My Lawn
LP 2
Side C:
1C. Say No Go
2C. Do As De La Does
3C. Plug Tunin' (Last Chance to Comprehend)
4C. De La Orgee
5C. Buddy (with Jungle Brothers and Q-Tip from a Tribe Called Quest)
Side D:
1D. Description
2D. Me Myself and I
3D. This Is a Recording 4 Living in a Full Time Era (L.I.F.E.)
4D. I Can Do Anything (Delacratic)
5D. D.A.I.S.Y. Age