- OFTB lost album recorded in 95/97 whilst 2Pac was in Death Row
The album knew a promo release in 1996 by Death Row
and was eventually bootlegged in late 90's
The group finally released it as The Missing D.R. Files in 2007
WIDEawake completed the collection with Damn Near Dead in 2011
1. Intro / Check 'em Remix (incomplete) *
2. That Was Then feat. Kurupt & Snoop Dogg
3. I Come Up Hard feat. Garry Barner
4. World Wide (Time After Time) feat. Kadafi, 2Pac, Kurupt & Michel'le / Kurupt
5. Ladies Nite feat. 6 Feet Deep
6. I'm on One feat. Hurt-M-Badd, Jackpot & Freddie Ranks
7. Doing it in the Spot feat. Big Pimpin'
8. Gone But Not Forgotten (So Long) feat. MC Hammer / Johnny J
9. Gun A Nigga Down * / Brian G
10. I Think of Murder * / Tee KO
11. Penitentiary Bound * / Brian G
12. Do or Die (Damn Near Dead) feat. Amdee of the Watts Profits * / Sandman
13. Better Days feat. 2Pac & Big Syke / Johnny J
14. Check Your Hood feat. Jewell / Sandman
15. Project Kids feat. Nickerson Garden Projects Kids
Other songs produced by O.F.T.B.
*not published in The Missing D.R. Files, but in Damn Near Dead
After their first album Straight Up Watts in 1992, Operation From The Bottom recorded songs for Death Row's Above The Rim Soundtrack (1994) and for Murder Was The Case Soundtrack (1994), exactly like 2Pac (and like him, their song from Murder was the case was leftover). "Crack 'Em Remix" introduction is a reference to their success in Above The Rim soundtrack (one of their most popular success, like "Pain" for 2Pac).
It is funny to notice that half part of their first album was produced by Brian G, the producer of "Lord Knows" in mid '93, one of the greatest hits of 2Pac. Brian G still produced songs for this second album. The other half was produced by Tee KO who is just also known for having produced two songs for Mel-Low's album Return of The Player in 1993 like... Johnny J ! who there produced the eponymous song with a beat that he will try to re-use for 2Pac's "Penitentiary Bound" in late 95. Funny to notice that a song of the same title appears here...
"World Wide" and "Better Dayz" have both been recorded in March of 96, but 2Pac's verse was recorded earlier for All Eyez on Me. In fact, 2Pac recorded more or less the same day (1995/10/23-24) "Better Dayz Solo" and "The Struggle Continues" with OFTB and Big Syke. But he finally left them both over (cf. When I Get Free / All Eyez On Me lost tracks). O.F.T.B. were in studio when he recorded "Better Dayz" (that's why 2Pac shoot out OFTB at the beginning of the original song). OFTB were in love of the song so 2Pac erased two of his verses and gave it to them for their album.
Of course, we find back the Death Row artists here as guests. Kurupt was also featured in another OFTB song recorded around the same period with L.B.C. Crew : "Verbal Shots", maybe recorded for Dogg Pound's West Coast Aftershock. Other DPGC close friend but less known Big Pimpin' Delemond also recorded with 2Pac and Kadafi for "Who Do U Believe In ?" (cf. Troublesome, Tha Secretz of War). Huge star MC Hammer was also working with 2Pac for his album and 2Pac wrote him a song (the eponymous "Too Tight") and also gave him a song from his scrapped second solo album : "Unconditional Love" (he didn't write it for him but sold it, cf. Me Against The World 2).
You have chorists who have recorded many songs with 2Pac : Michel'le, Jewell, 6 Feet Deep and Hurt-M-Badd aka Tyrone Wrice of B-Rezell. Jewell and B-Rezell have released songs in both Above The Rim & Murder Was The Case soundtracks like OFTB and 2Pac. Michel'le of course in "Wonder Why They Call U Bitch" and Run Tha Streetz", but also in "Play Ya Cardz Right" original (cf. Thug Life Volume 2) and "Happy Home" for 2Pac's given up Me Against The World project. 6 Feet Deep has especially recorded chorus for original "Until The End of Time", "Ballad of The Dead Souljah" (cf. Me Against The World 2) and "U Can't Be Touched" (cf. Troublesome, Tha Secretz of War). Jewell was of course in "Thug Passion" but recorded two songs for One Nation and one for Killuminati original album. Hurt-M-Badd was one of the most regular producers and singer for 2Pac in Death Row, from "Fair Exchange" recorded for All Eyez on Me, "Fuckin' Wit The Wrong Nigga" for Me Against The World 2, and 4 songs for Makaveli album ; he is singing in the original version of "Play Ya Cardz Right" (cf. Thug Life Volume 2) and in "Hold Ya Head" in Makaveli...
The Missing D.R.Files (2007, O.F.T.B. self released) replaces the 4 missing tracks by these songs probably recorded at the same period - Listen there
. I Trust Nobody feat. Street Damage
. Still a Mistery (2Pac '96 Tribute) feat. Napoleon, Kurupt, Kadafi, Edi, Young Noble, Storm & Kastro
. Lost Souls feat. Hugg, Hurt-M-Badd & Big Rolo
. Sooner or Later feat. Amdee of the Watts Profits
I definitely think these songs are less good than the other they have taken off from the album... So i chose to add them in Damn Near Dead compilation in replacement of the songs taken from the Promo Tape.
Damn Near Dead (2011, WIDEawake) has three songs in common with The Missing D.R. Files, 4 songs from the Promo Tape and it also adds :
. Hot One (Bonus track in Murder Was The Case OST cassette releases, 1994)
. Niggas Going Down / Brian G
. Check 'em (Remix)
. Who Got The Hits
. What Should I Do / Tee KO
. Girl Ain't Got No Time / Chilly Chill
Other songs recorded around the same period :
. Justice For The Hood feat. Juvenile Committee / Shane (Free Us Colored Kids, 1993)
. Crack 'Em / Tee KO & DJ Quik (Above The Rim, 1994)
. Where The Party At / Daz (Unreleased)
. Verbal Shots feat. LBC Crew & Kurupt (Unreleased, 1995)
. The Struggle Continues feat. 2Pac, Hussein & Big Syke (Unreleased, 1995)
. Christmas in the Ghetto / O.F.T.B. (Christmas on Death Row, 1996)
. Keep Your Eyes Open / Brian G (Gang Related OST, 1997)
. Body & Soul feat. Jewell / Brian G (Gridlock'd OST, 1997)
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