3 Feet High and Rising

by

De La Soul

Edit

This is one of the few albums (especially rap ones) that I haven't heard a bad thing about - ever. Now that I've finally got it, I can see why.

Simply put, De La Soul are gods. Everything on this album comes together in a way which few other albums have (not even the later De La albums). It's very interesting to listen to this in 2001 and think that this is what hip-hop could/should have become if not for the "gangstas" of the world.

On all the tracks, it's easy to see that the three members are rapping out of love for the style and don't really care what anyone thinks. There are the names (Posdnous and Trugoy for example), which have to be spelled backwards to begin to understand the jokes; the game show (on which no one can answer the questions); the strange interludes (check out "Can You Keep A Secret"); and the bizarre rapping throughout.

The opening cut "The Magic Number" is pure joy. From the opening verse, it's obvious that these guys must be slightly out of their minds - this is proven throughout the album. Crazy rhymes, silly samples and an attitude of pure fun abound. There's even the infamous "Transmitting Live From Mars" which became the major evidence in one of the early anti-sampling cases. If that isn't enough, listen to "Plug Tunin'" - the intro will get into your mind even if you don't want it to.

Then of course comes the biggest hit from this album - "Me Myself and I". I defy anyone to listen to this track without breaking out laughing at some point - De La Soul are unable to take anything seriously.

On top of it all, there's the DAISY (Da Inna Sound Y'all) motif and appearances by the Jungle Brothers and a very young Q-Tip, all of whom were involved in the Native Tongues movement of the early 90s. What to give the hip-hop fan with everything? This album would have to be a good start (unless the fan already has it).

In short - an album which cannot seriously be missing from a respectable hip-hop collection. I've used it to convince rap haters and gangstas that there is something better - and this is certainly better.

A breath of fresh air well worth taking.