Kurious Jorge’s “II”

In 2007, Amalgam Media reissued Kurious Jorge’s A Constipated Monkey. Over ten years after its original 1994 release, the album still holds up. It’s unfortunate that Kurious’ onetime power move was overlooked in light of NYC’s shift from scientifical street raps to ghetto superstardom.

On March 24, Kurious will finally offer a follow-up simply titled II. (The album was initially scheduled for Spring ’08 and was originally titled Monkey Madness.) Kurious has always straddled the boundaries between witty rhymes and street braggadacio, and this release continues that ethos with appearances from Max B, Del the Funky Homosapien and, in a return to the KMD days, MC Serch and MF Doom. Production comes from V.I.C., the Beatnuts, Hi-Tek, 88-Keys and Dame Grease. (June 8 update: The release date has been changed to June 30.)

Here’s a bit from the press release:

Hailing from Harlem, Kurious is best known for his early-to-mid 1990’s hits such as “Walk Like A Duck”, “Uptown Sh*t”, “I’m Kurious” and “A Mansion & A Yacht”. His debut album, “A Constipated Monkey”, was released in 1994 to critical acclaim. His association with Bobbito, Pete Nice (3rd Bass) and MF Doom (KMD) further cemented his folklore in underground circles worldwide

After a lengthy hiatus, Kurious signed to the Amalgam Digital label in 2007. Amalgam re-released the classic “A Constipated Monkey” album later that year which included never-heard-before bonus demo tracks from the early 90s. Kurious’ new offering “II” features guest appearances from the likes of another Amalgam Digital signed artist, Max B, and reunites both MC Serch with Mf Doom for “Benneton” as well as regrouping with original posse members The Beatnuts who return a favor to the man who laced their chorus with the vocals “When I pop the trunk…hit the deck”.

• 1. “Take What Is Given”
• 2. “Back With VIC”
• 3. “Work It”
• 4. “Sittin’ In My Car”
• 5. “Drinks In The Air” (feat. Vanessa Liftig)
• 6. “Animals And Horses” (feat. Kadi)
• 7. “Rubberbandz”
• 8. “Benetton” (feat. MC Serch & MF Doom)
• 9. “Rain On” (feat. Co Campbell)
• 10. “Wake Up” (feat. Vanessa Liftig)
• 11. “Smiling”
• 12. “Brand New Day” (feat. Dave Dar & Co Campbell)
• 13. “Mysterious”
• 14. “New Heights”
• 15. “Back From Up Under” (feat. Max B)
• 16. “Is This The End”
• 17. “Prosperous”
• 18. “The Magician” (feat. Del The Funky Homosapien)

Here’s the video for “Back From Up Under”: