“S-A double-D-I-Q / Yo, he wanna get involved with you.” A sumptuous tune from the early aughts that hit the perfect r&b/hip-hop crossover mark. Seriously, “Get Involved” is so good, and if you forgot about it, this 7″ inch release is the perfect opportunity to get reacquainted. Featured on the soundtrack to The PJs, samples The Intruders’ song I’ll Always Love My Mama.” But wait! There’s more! Flip the record over and there it is, another stone-cold classic from The Abstract. The Love Unlimited Orchestra (“I Wanna Stay”)-sampling “Vibrant Thing” was produced by the late great Jay Dee alongside Q-Tip, and it’ll never not bump. That beat alone is just too fire. Limited to 300 copies!

• music label: Street Knowledge 2002

reviewed by singing in japanese 02/2020