On the fifth volume of the series, Tommy Boy's Hip Hop Essentials remains true to its studied grab-bag aesthetic, emphasizing late-'80s cuts while including a couple choice old-school classics. To the delight of some hip-hop fans, nothing here could be termed a crossover novelty (à la "Funky Cold Medina"), and over-the-top raunch (à la "We Want Some P") is also left off. Whether or not this is seen as a good thing, the disc isn't one of the better volumes -- the excitement level can't compare to the second or seventh volumes, and a couple too many tracks are too tied to their years of release (unlike, say, Public Enemy's still-riotous "Bring the Noize," or even Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock's deathless "It Takes Two"). The smartest selection on this disc is "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)," one of several examples why 3 Feet High and Rising should never be seen as the be-all end-all for De la Soul, a group that would remain a crucial part of hip-hop well over a decade after their breakthrough debut. The silly "Jimbrowski," despite being a poor choice to represent the Jungle Brothers, maintains the brief Native Tongues theme, and Queen Latifah's "Ladies First" (featuring Monie Love) remains as powerful and as fun-filled as it was in 1989. Other highlights: Funky 4 + 1's "That's the Joint," Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five's "Freedom," Busy Bee's "Making Cash Money."
Hip Hop Essentials, Vol. 5
Various Artists
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Hip Hop Essentials, Vol. 5 Review
by Andy Kellman
Track Listing
Sample | Title/Composer | Performer | Time | Stream | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Funky 4 + 1 | 09:23 | Amazon | ||||
2 | Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five / Grandmaster Flash | 08:17 | Amazon | ||||
3 | Public Enemy | 03:47 | Amazon | ||||
4 | Rob Base / DJ E-Z Rock / Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock | 05:01 | Amazon | ||||
5 | Kool Moe Dee | 04:42 | Amazon | ||||
6 | Fat Boys | 06:53 | Amazon | ||||
7 | Busy Bee | 06:29 | Amazon | ||||
8 | De La Soul | 05:06 | Amazon | ||||
9 |
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Jungle Brothers | 04:30 | Amazon | |||
10 |
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Queen Latifah / Monie Love | 03:56 | Amazon | |||
11 | World Famous Supreme Team | 06:14 | Amazon | ||||
12 | Jimmy Spicer | 04:26 | Amazon |