Olas un Bekons

Drawn From Obscurity (Vol. 1) - DEF DUO

Added 2020-11-09 19:46:52 +0000 UTC

I would like to launch a new set of posts (not so frequent as others, though, but still...). I will try to resurrect or draw artists that might have been forgotten because they either didn't have that much exposure or their careers were too short, or maybe both reasons. I will try to recover as much as information I can and direct your attention to them. For some it will be like 'a return of the prodigal sons', but for others might be something they had missed entirely during their aural escapades.

So let's start with the FIRST ACT...

"def /def/ adj. to describe a person, thing, or event that is cool. iarchaic, circa 1981" (urban dictionary)

If you were alive and kicking in the 80's there's a solid chance you have heard about the aforementioned DEF adjective. It was everywhere at the time. And thus, many things and personalities were identified or identified themselves with the word. Most notable might be the legendary Def Jam label, LL Cool J's Bigger and Deffer LP, and many alter egos of rap bands and solo artists at the time (e.g. Def Jef, Def Dames) and even in 90's both in the States, and abroad (Mos Def, Def Jux label, Def Tex (UK), Def Wish Cast (Australia), Def Real (Netherlands)). One of those late 80's hip-hop projects that caught the fad were DEF DUO.

Hailing from Bronx, the duo were rappers M.C.K. (Corey Doyle) and JOE (Joseph Verde) whose first record was 'You've Gotta Believe' single on Strong City Records. A side consisted of the frequent at the time James Brown flavor, but B side gave us technically simplistic but hard-hitting track. The same A side vocal also was featured on the 'Cold Chillin' In The Studio Live' compilation hosted by Jazzy Jay. Actually, the inner sleeve of that CD was the only way I could get their picture. In the image gallery you can see DEF DUO in the red frame (lower left side). MCK - the the left, Joe - to the right.

Unfortunately, that was their only release in Strong City, and they went silent until in 1992 they released 'Parlayin'' single under Interscope Records. Record has 3 tracks and is the same on both sides. I was much sure that those were their only 2 releases until I noticed on discogs not so long ago that they released an album the same year under Interscope. It had a limited cassette run and also played the same on both sides, so those 5 tracks were more EP technically than an album.

After 1992, they disbanded and haven't released new music (at least under the same name). I have both their singles on wax, and both are solid evidence of golden age hip-hop greatness. They might not be outstanding and revolutionary as they sound suitable to the time they were released ('89 A-side tune may even sound a bit outdated), but they STILL DO HIT HARD!

I have attached few preview tracks for y'all.

For those who dig full rips, I made HQ's of both my vinyls + that Jazzy Jay compilation. They can be found here: