3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...[LP]

by Arrested Development

Overview

Widely adored when it appeared in 1992, Arrested Development's debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... seemed to herald a shining new era in alternative rap, when audiences and critics of all colors could agree on the music's importance. Of course, that didn't happen, as Dr. Dre instead took gangsta rap to the top of the charts with The Chronic. In retrospect, 3 Years... isn't quite as revolutionary as it first seemed, though it's still a fine record that often crosses the line into excellence. Its positive messages were the chief selling point for many rock critics, and it's filled with pleas for black unity and brotherly compassion, as well as a devotion to the struggle for equality. All of that is grounded in a simple, upbeat spirituality that also results in tributes to the homeless (the hit "Mr. Wendal"), black women of all shapes and sizes, and the natural world. It's determinedly down to earth, and that aesthetic informs the group's music as well. Their sound is a laid-back, southern-fried groove informed by rural blues, African percussion, funk, and melodic R&B. All of it comes together on the classic single "Tennessee," which takes lead rapper Speech on a spiritual quest to reclaim his heritage in a south still haunted by its history. It helped Arrested Development become the first rap group to win a Grammy for Best New Artist, and to top numerous year-end critical polls. In hindsight, there's a distinct political correctness -- even naivete -- in the lyrics, which places the record firmly in the early '90s; it's also a bit self-consciously profound at times, lacking the playfulness of peers like the Native Tongues. Nonetheless, 3 Years... was a major influence on a new breed of alternative Southern hip-hop, including Goodie Mob, OutKast, and Nappy Roots, and it still stands as one of the better albums of its kind. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	03/17/2017
Label:	Capitol
UPC:	0602557301328
Rank:	35522

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Man's Final Frontier
2. Mama's Always on Stage
3. People Everyday
4. Blues Happy

Disc 2

5. Mr Wendal
6. Children Play With Earth
7. Raining Revolution
8. Fishin' 4 Religion

Disc 3

9. Give a Man a Fish
10. U
11. Eve of Reality
12. Natural

Disc 4

13. Dawn of the Dreads
14. Tennessee
15. Washed Away

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Arrested Development   Primary Artist
Dionne Farris   Guest Artist,Vocals
Ramsey Lewis   Guest Artist
Terrance Cinque Mason   Vocals
Brother Larry   Guitar
Sister Paulette   Vocals
Larry Jackson   Saxophone

Technical Credits

Maurice White   Composer
Philip Bailey   Composer
Minnie Riperton   Composer
Timothy Barnwell   Composer
Headliner   Composer
Arrested Development   Arranger,Composer
Matt Still   Assistant Engineer
Speech   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Executive Producer
Sylvester Stewart   Composer
Randall Martin   Art Direction
Aerle Taree   Composer,Stylist
Phillip Albert Mackay   Composer
Sly Stone   Composer
Howie Weinberg   Mastering
Richard Wells   Engineer
Buddy Guy   Composer
Junior Wells   Composer
Lindsey Williams   Project Director
Jeffrey Henson Scales   Photography
Dick Rudolph   Composer
Tom Held   Engineer
Alvin Speights   Engineer
Bob Dylan   Composer