Nova Star Crew In Full Effect (Test Pressing)

Release Information

Title Nova Star Crew In Full Effect
Record Artist Aaron Dee, Top Priority and Live Squad
Featuring Stretch and Majesty
Format 12" Vinyl Test Pressing
Label Gotham City Records
Country United States
Released 1988
Catalogue No. None
Status Test Pressing

Overview

The Sound Makers Test Pressing of Nova Star Crew In Full Effect is currently the earliest known physical release connected to Live Squad. Produced before the commercial Gotham City Records pressing, the test pressing was manufactured for evaluation prior to full-scale production and features handwritten labels identifying the release as Nova Star Crew In Full Effect.

Unlike the commercially released edition, the test pressing retains plain white Sound Makers labels with handwritten track and artist information. The record credits Aaron Dee, Top Priority and Live Squad, while the accompanying handwritten sleeve identifies Live Squad as one of the project's producers.

Top Priority consisted of Percee P and D-Nique. Although Percee P is not named individually on the test pressing labels, the group's inclusion explains why the project was later reissued commercially as Percee P – BQ In Full Effect.

The discovery of this test pressing provides a valuable insight into the earliest known stage of Live Squad's recording career and represents one of the most significant surviving artefacts from the group's formative years.

Track Listing

# Track Artist(s) Featuring Notes
A1 Soul Power (Vocal) Aaron Dee & C-Nice
A2 Soul Power (Instrumental) Aaron Dee & C-Nice
A3 Troopin' It Live Squad Stretch and Majesty
A4 Born To Rap Aaron Dee & C-Nice
B1 We Ain't Havin It Live Squad Stretch and Majesty
B2 Let The Homocides Begin (Vocal) Top Priority
B3 Let The Homocides Begin (Instrumental) Top Priority
B4 Disassemble The Beat (Vocal) Aaron Dee & C-Nice
B5 Disassemble The Beat (Instrumental) Aaron Dee & C-Nice

Release History

Year Release Format Notes
1988 Sound Makers Test Pressing 12" Vinyl Pre-production test pressing created before commercial release.
1988 BQ In Full Effect 12" Vinyl Commercial release on Gotham City Records.

Packaging Notes

The test pressing is housed in a plain white sleeve featuring handwritten production notes. The sleeve credits Aaron Dee, Top Priority and Live Squad as producers, identifies Power Play Studios as the recording location and names Doc Rodriguez as the recording engineer. Additional handwritten notes include track listings, comments regarding the strongest recordings on the project and a personal message wishing "Red" a happy birthday.

Both vinyl labels are plain white Sound Makers test pressing labels with the artist and title written by hand in red and blue marker. No commercial catalogue number or printed artwork appears on either label.

12" Vinyl - GC001

Vinyl Front
Front Cover
Vinyl Rear
Front Cover
Sleeve Front
Front Cover
Accompanying Letter
Front Cover

Release History

1988 Nova Star Crew In Full Effect (Test Pressing) 12" Test Pressing Earliest known version of the project issued by Sound Makers prior to the Gotham City Records release.
1988 BQ In Full Effect 12" Vinyl Commercial release issued by Gotham City Records under Percee P's name.