2009-12-15

A.T.B.A.N. Klann - "Open Your Mind"


A.T.B.A.N. Klann (standing for A Tribe Beyond A Nation) was supposed to release their debut album Grass Roots for Eazy-E's Ruthless Records in 1992. Unfortunately, the label shelved the record shortly before it was due to be released, and 3 years later, A.T.B.A.N. Klann were dropped from Ruthless after Eazy-E's death and the record was never released. Fortunately (depending on who you talk to), 2 of the members of the group....Will 1X (now known to everyone as will.i.am) and apl.de.ap, went on to form Black Eyed Peas with the help of their friend Taboo. While this record isn't quite amazing, there are definitely some good songs on here, some in the vein of Black Sheep, and the nth-generation cassette dub quality of the recordings add a bit to the feel of the whole thing. I still think the Black Eyed Peas record Behind The Front was good for its time (although I haven't listened to it in years so I'm not sure how well it holds up), but these guys were much more listenable before Fergie joined the group.

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