Check the Technique: Liner Notes for Hip-Hop Junkies

Being a hip hop fan, I knew I had to read this book. This is probably the most comprehensive and detailed book ever written about hip hop in general. While Check the Technique doesn't necessarily go into the history of hip hop, but rather goes into detail about a handful or so of important albums made in the genre.I particularly enjoyed the accounts of the recording of albums like the Beastie Boys Check Your Head, Pharcyde's The Bizarre Ride II and Wu-Tang's Enter The Wu-Tang. They were packed with so much dense information that it felt like I was in the studio witnessing the recordings for myself.Some of the album accounts are too short for their own good. Redman's account of Whut Thee Album is only a few pages long and EPMD's Strictly Business is the same.The artists and producers themselves go over every track on a particular album, some of the information is very detailed and other times it's bland. Parrish Smith of EPMD literally says on one track, "I got the sample from an Aretha Franklin record from my mom's crib." Really? That's it? Anything else you would like to elaborate on? Ha ha!I am familiar with most of the albums that are chronicled in this book, but there are a few that I have heard about, but I haven't had the chance to listen to in full.From start to finish I was very invested in this book. It is well written and it really puts in you in the mindset of the particular artists. I'm glad the author made a second volume because Check the Technique definitely leaves you wanting more.

Great info on albums that I love, but didn’t know much about. If you want to get down to the nuts and bolts of the golden age of hip hop then this is your book! Vol 2 great too

This book is essential for any fan of hip hop. It goes through classic albums track by track, and the forwards at the beginning of each chapter, describing where the artist, the music, and america was at the time of the albums creation, are very interesting themselves. The writing is competent, which is all we need since it is mostly interview style writing and the words are coming directly from the artist (and in some cases, industry execs) involved. Of course the choice of albums could have been different, some were unecessary (the Marley Marl record which only made it because of the track "The Symphony") and some just werent classic (Poor Righteous Teachers? huh?) but most are undeniable classics and have so much lore and mystery surrounding them it is nothing less than a blessing that Brain Coleman uncovered the story behind these records. Of course there are crucial records he left out, but i assume that he's saving those for the sequel.

I just received the book last night and had to tear myself away after 80 pages and get some sleep! This is truly a captivating experience that author Brian Coleman has assembled. It's refreshing to see someone who is passionate about documenting the period of hip hop music that was so essential in the genre's life cycle. As an owner of many of the albums that are covered (sorry, never did like 2 Live Crew) it made me want to go back and listen to these classics (as another reviewer also pointed out). You will learn so many interesting tid bits of information that you had absolutely no idea were occurring when you were buying these LPs back in the day. This is a must read for all hip hop heads and those who need to be educated on the origins of Hip Hopo's Golden Age. If you appreciate hip hop as art then this is for you!

This book initially wasn't what I had expected. But it gives a detailed account of critical junctures in hip hops past and accompanies them with pictures & photos of the subject at hand. Definitely would recommend to anyone who wants to brush up on Rap Culture's History and keep as a reference guide.

I love both of Mr. Coleman's books - this one and Rakim Told Me: Hip-Hop Wax Facts, Straight From the Original Artists. Great writing and loads of great info on some of my favorite albums.one major quibble on this new book though... 15 of it's 36 chapters are also present in Mr. Colman's previous book, Rakim Told Me (21 total chapters)! I wasn't expecting this... I was expecting all new material... i didn't get that...a bit disappointed, however the remaining 21 chapters are ace, and well worth a read.

The first half of the book is stronger than the second half, despite the fact that I believe the second half features better albums. I expected the book to get even farther into the details of the making of some of these albums, but other than the Beastie Boys chapter I thought most everything was pretty surface level. There was more information given on the actual artists, and not as much given to the making of the albums in my opinion. If you love hip-hop and have an interest in many of the artists featured in the book it's still probably worth checking out, but I had hoped for more detail.

This was like entering a time machine and being a fly on the wall to witness the evolution of these historical and exemplary works of art.I kept the iPod close by and that enhanced the experience as well.

I grew up in the Golden Age of Hip Hop (mid/late 80s and early 90s)*. Without the access to interviews like these I often wondered how the artists made their beats. Great book not only for nostalgia, but also music production inspiration.* I expect a flurry of corrections :)

Although I was hoping for more depth in the liner notes, this book still doesn't disappoint. An exclusive look behind the scenes of some of hip-hop's greatest albums, it is an essential for all hip-hop heads. The product was used but hardly damaged and I was able to dive straight into a first-hand experience of hip-hop's history in the making.

Bought this as a present for someone who is extremely into hip hop. He seemed thrilled, so it did it,s job well.

Awesome book if you love Hip Hop culture and want to know more.

Whether you were there for the golden era of hiphop or if you wanted to know what you missed, this book is essential.I was there for all of these albums and find the behind the scenes info like the missing tracks that I always wish I heard. I'll probably re-read this many times. This is hiphop.