“Alphabet Soup, a rhythmic group…”
A1. Sunny Day In Harlem
A2. Uncle Sam – 1st Draft
B1. Girl You Got a Grip
B2. The Resurrection of Gertrude
Without question one of my all time favourite records. If you like the sound of New York in the early 90s, ie, Leaders of the New School, De La Soul, Prince Paul, Organized Konfusion, Future Sound, KMD, then you really NEED this record. Straight-up drum breaks, the choicest samples & a rough rugged pure vibe that evokes. having fun. I’ve never had to look for it so I’m not sure what it goes for, but if I heard it & didn’t have it, I’d drop major coin on it in a flash. It’s that damn good. Anyone says any different, they are kidding themselves.
The 5 member crew consisted of producer Yasin (Brother Love) Gregg & emcees, Kiambu, Nubian, Deflon & Melkuan (who also provided the scratches). Recorded & mixed at I.N.S. Studios in NYC. Unfortunately that is all I know about them. They never resurfaced & as far as I know, there doesn’t seem to be any material from any of the members out there. Please do not get them confused with the West Coast’s Bay Area jazz/rap band also known as Alphabet Soup. Couldn’t be anymore different.
That above text is from another site but I agree with it – the amount of samples I spotted over the four tracks are kind of mind boggling, from Led Zep to MFSB to Sly Stone to something that Kanye used for Lil Kim… a full length LP from this crew would’ve been very interesting. If anyone has any further info on these let me know.
Andy Votel recently mentioned this in Wax Poetics and it has recently had a Japanese reissue.
If you like this say so as I might put up some more good hip hop for your preusal… cheers.
What Would Hudson Do? 
I used to know Kiambu one of the MCs, I was doing a little feature as I was digging out some old stuff. I noticed this story. I added a link to your page hope you don’t mind.
Here is my feature:
http://thekoolskool.blogspot.com/2009/08/sibagiba-brazil-remix.html
Peace
This is Yasin Gregg the producer of this EP. Thanks for the love.
Any questions – ask away as I will try and be as forthcoming as possible.
Hi. Could you say where the jazzy loop is at the end of ‘Girl you got a grip’ is from? It;s been bugging me for near 20 years now. Much Respect
Chris:
There are two loops at the end of they are:
Archie Bell & the Drells – “a href=”http://www.discogs.com/Archie-Bell-The-Drells-Tighten-Up/release/2588431″ title=”Tighten Up”>” and/or + Pleasure – ““
*Correction*
There are two loops at the end of GYGAG (http://www.discogs.com/Alphabet-Soup-Sunny-Day-In-Harlem/master/65562) they are:
Archie Bell & the Drells – “Tighten Up” (http://www.discogs.com/Archie-Bell-The-Drells-Tighten-Up/release/2588431) and/ or YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n7C1AyU-9Q) + Pleasure – “Sassafras Girl” (http://www.discogs.com/Pleasure-Joyous/release/2455683)
Thanks for that, I’ll check those out right away.
Oh my god, I’ve got the Joyous LP and haven’t listened to it properly for so long I missed the sample. Cheers Yasin for pointing me in the right direction.