Rob Base, DJ E-Z Rock - Joy & Pain (OT)

This is a perfect case of confusion that crapfromthepast might appreciate looking into...

My understanding is the promo CD says a listed time of 3:58 but that just doesn't match any released versions. In fact the notes on discogs say that its actually a dub version on the first pressing that occurred in error. If we take that as fact, that leaves us two released versions of the song I know of.

The LP version (It Takes Two) is about 3:44 and can be found on Monsters of Rap Vol 1 and Millennium New Hip-Hop Party as well. The 4:14 appears to be the 45 version and that can be found on Rapmasters 15 and Mr. Magic's Rap Attack Vol. 5. The 6:10 version is not the 45, but a different version that is called a World To World Remix. I am taking a leap the 45 is the 4:14 but have no way of confirming that.

What is even more confusing is that the 7 inch on discogs is labeled [Remix] and so is the promo but there appears nothing remixed about it. Anyone have any idea if the 4:14 is indeed the 45 version? Or is the 3:45 the go to for this low charting track? Help!

Well I guess John that answers the question...

aaronk wrote: I’d have to pull the 45 to confirm it 100%, but I’m 99% sure it’s the same edited version of the World To World Remix by Gail “Sky” King that is found on the promo CD. I do own both promo CD singles. I’m also the one who left the note on Discogs about the dub version appearing on the first pressing of the promo CD. The LP version begins with repeating drum hits and the lyrics “come on!” The “Single Version” on the promo CD starts cold with the chorus.

So the edited World To World Remix which only appears on that promo CD is the 45 version and not the 4:14?

Ah, I just checked out Mr. Magic's Rap Attack Vol. 5 and Rapmasters 15, and the actual run time on those discs is 4:19. As far as I can tell, this is just a longer fade at the end.

Let me clarify a bit...

The LP version on It Takes Two runs 3:49. It's the one that starts with a few drum beats and the lyrics "come on!"

Then there is the "Remix," as it is labeled on the promo CD single and vinyl 45. While it sounds very similar to the LP version, there are vocal ad-libs by the singer that are nowhere to be found on the LP version. The promo CD, which is labeled "Single Version (Remix)," is the same version as found on Mr. Magic's Rap Attack Vol 5 and Rapmasters 15, but the promo CD fades about 12 seconds sooner than the compilation CDs. Presumably, the promo CD matches the vinyl 45, but again, I'd have to pull it and check the fade out to know for sure.

The World To World Remix is the same mix as the 4:07/4:19 "Remix" and has the additional vocal ad-libs, but it is two minutes longer. I can't say for sure if the 6:10 remix came first and was then edited down, or if they simply tacked on some additional parts to the shorter remix to make it extended. The reason I can't say for sure is because there is an obvious splice in the tape of the 6:10 remix at the exact point where the 4:07 "Remix" begins.