AZ - Final Call [Unreleased, 2004]

Full collection of songs taken from hip-hop legend and The Firm member AZ’s shelved fifth album “Final Call” (2004). The album’s Metaphysic-produced cut “Talkin’ Gangsta” was queued to be a buzz pick for radio outlets but was later issued to white vinyl only due to the album’s unexpected two-month early leak. The album altogether was temporarily shelved due to AZ’s dissatisfaction with the direction of the album.

When the effort began to circulate both in the streets and via online, fans’ reaction to the project was reported to be somewhat critical as longtime fanatics dubbed the CD as “commercial sounding” and felt it did not follow up strongly to AZ’s prior album “Aziatic” (2002).

Though the album was heavily bootlegged online and in the underground market, “Final Call” did not see an official release until late 2008 when its title was revised to “Final Call: The Lost Tapes” with a remixed track-listing and a notable omission of the interlude “Poor Poor People”, featuring Puerto Rican, New York native (Nuyorican) poet Lemon. Guest appearances on the unreleased album include Tony Sunshine, Rell, CL Smooth, Ralo, Nu & Young alongside sampled vocals by the late Aaliyah.

Track-listing is as follows:

1.) Freedom (Intro) (feat. Lemon the Poet)

2.) Omega

3.) The Truth (feat. Ralo)

4.) Seems That Way

5.) Talkin’ Gangsta (feat. Tony Sunshine)

6.) Side 2 Side (feat. Ron G)

7.) You Know (feat. Rell)

8.) No Strings

9.) Gangsta MC’s (Interlude) (feat. Lemon the Poet)

10.) Live Wire

11.) Magic Hour (feat. CL Smooth)

12.) I Am AZ

13.) Girls R Free

14.) Poor Poor People (Interlude) (feat. Lemon the Poet)

15.) Let Me Know (feat. Aaliyah)

16.) Quiet Money Anthem (feat. Nu & Young)