montell jordan "this is how we do it"

I recently obtained the same promo CD that Jim mentioned (PRCD 6912-2). This is the one with the earlier, alternate vocal take. Like Jim's, the back insert and disc itself just state "LP version"; however, there is a sticker on the front of the case indicating there are two tracks, the first one being a "Radio Edit."

The station I worked for received a different promo CD, and it didn't have inserts nor a sticker on the front of the case. That copy also did not mention that there were two tracks. I don't recall if it even listed a version, or if it just said "LP Version," like the copy I have.

Brian, when you get a chance, can you check your promo CD that has the same vocal take as the commercial CD single and LP version? The matrix number on mine is "PRC D69 122 02%".

Mystery finally solved on this one. There are two promo CD singles with identical catalog numbers and track listings. One comes with front and back artwork, and the other does not. One has the alternate vocal take, and the other has the LP vocal take.

PRCD 6912-2
Matrix: PRC D69 122 02%
Notes: This is the version with the alternate vocal take. It comes with front and back inserts, as well as a sticker on the front listing the correct track list. The disc and insert incorrectly list only one track, "(LP Version) 3:59". The track list, as printed on the sticker, is:
1. Radio Edit (listed & actual 3:34)
2. LP Version (listed 3:52; actual 3:54)

PRCD 6912-2
Matrix: PRC D69 122 03!
Notes: This disc contains the LP vocal take and does not come with inserts. It only has the sticker on the front of the jewel case with the track listing. The disc itself incorrectly lists "(LP Version) 3:59".
1. Radio Edit (listed 3:34; actual 3:38)
2. LP Version (listed 3:52; actual 3:57)

aaronk wrote: What I've always wondered about this song is that several radio stations have played a version that has a completely different vocal take. I've never been able to figure out where this comes from. The background track is the same, and I believe it's a version without rap (if my memory serves me right). Montell sings kind of off key in this version, but it's not live. I'm wondering if early DJ copies had this mix, and then he resung it to improve his vocals for the final LP mix.

aaronk:

Eight years on, but I just wanted to give a belated "thank you" for originally bringing up the topic of the initial (off-key) vocal take of this song, and then aggressively sorting out its origins in such detail (after the assist from Jeff H.)! This was one of my all-time favorites from the '90s (along w/ his later hit, "Get it On...Tonite"), and I admit I was previously unaware of the alternate vocal version. I bought the commercial 4-track CD maxi-single (PMP/RAL 422 851 469-2) back in '95, and that's been my go-to CD for the song ever since. :-) Over the past eight years, I've been checking eBay off & on for a first pressing of PRCD 6912-2, as I know it doesn't turn up often, and a couple times I realized I'd just missed out on a copy, as they'd already sold a few weeks before. :-( Then about three weeks ago (July 30), MJ's "Unsung" episode premiered on TV One, and that spurred me to check eBay again - and this time, I FINALLY nabbed one! It arrived about a week ago, and of course I'd never heard the original vocal version before - very interesting! I agree it's not as good, though, so I'm glad they had him re-do it at the time. No mention of having to do the re-take on "Unsung", but in case you haven't already seen it, you can watch the entire 35-minute episode (uninterrupted) here: Montell Jordan - "Unsung" (full episode) A shame he ended up having to sell the rights to his entire catalog a few years ago - didn't know about that, either! :-(

aaronk wrote: I recently obtained a very rare promo CD single for "This Is How We Do It," which does not have a catalog number. It is a factory pressed CD on RAL/PMP Records (Def Jam), though, with the following tracks: 1. Studio Ton Radio Remix (actual 3:42) 2. Puff Daddy Radio Remix (actual 4:23) The matrix number is MJ-1 <01>.

While this latest promo CD single that you've found may indeed be the rarest yet for this particular song, aaron, I assume its contents are identical in every way to tracks 4 & 6 (respectively) on the not-so-rare 1995 commercial U.S. CD maxi-single for his follow-up hit, "Somethin' 4 da Honeyz" (PMP/RAL 422 856 963-2)??? Used copy on eBay, w/ several photos: MONTELL JORDAN - "Somethin' 4 da Honeyz" (commercial U.S. CD maxi-single)

*re-christens self as "90smusicfreak"* :-)