Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump

by

De La Soul

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Can you release a hip-hop album without cameos from Busta Rhymes and Redman? Will any reputable label allow it?

It's all so strange. De La Soul, once staunch enemies of 'rap and bulls**t' (their phrase), have returned from a four-year absence with Mosaic Thump, the first release of their proposed Art Official Intelligence trilogy. It's an unstable album packed with smoove production, ubiquitous 'special guests' (including the long-lost Busy Bee), several standout tracks, and a computer-generated narrator lifted straight from A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders.

Bumpiness aside, though, Mosaic Thump's freestyle sketches--including an uncredited bit by Phife Dog from ATCQ--continually amaze. As well, they illuminate the potential of the next AOI installment, which is rumored to be an MC battle record. (P.S. Listen close to the freestyle vocal manipulations...trust me.) MC Indeed, a female artist I have never heard, lays waste to her peers on "Set The Mood". Also, it's cool to hear Tash and J-Ro from Tha Alkaholiks guest on the track "My Writes", which finds De La commenting on the state of contemporary hip-hop. And, uh, they aren't content, to say the least.

Lyrically, De La are kings. No one plays with English like they do. Even if you know their verses by heart, there's no way you can decipher all their references and hidden meanings. The fact that, years later, I can still get something out of Buhloone Mind State (any of their albums, really) means more to me than anything.

But here's my main criticism: I skip at least three tracks. I have never dissected any of De La's other albums. I can listen to them straight through, even De La Soul Is Dead, which has its share of difficult moments. Mosaic Thump has some backyard clunkers. "U Can Do (Life)", "Copa (Cabanga)" and "The Art of Getting Jumped" are bogged down by weak beats, cheesy keyboards and a strident attempt blow up and go pop. And I don't know what they were thinking with "Foolin'". Just listen to it. Or, better yet, try to listen to it.

Maybe the disrupted flow is due to the interference of outside producers. Or, I could argue Mosaic Thump is a conscious attempt to sell as many albums as possible. (Even Posdnuos's album credits include a plea for Tommy Boy to not drop the ball on promoting the record.) But I should probably stop riding them so hard.

Then again, De La deftly elude any flack. I'll take their game-tight rhymes, irreverent attitude towards their competitors and mainstream radio, and block party verses that smack of intelligence over any of their so-called competition. Furthermore, their influence on some of the best newer hip-hop troupes (J5, People Under The Stairs, Slum Village, Blackalicious) is obvious.

Don't forget their collaboration with Nightmares On Wax on the Sound of N.O.W. EP.

Regretfully, I found myself questioning the content of "Mosaic Thump". First of all, there are way too many cameo's here and not enough "official" De La material. I mean, Busta, Redman, The Beasties, DV Alias Krist, Tash&J-Ro, Freddie Foxxx AND Chaka Khan?? Whew!! With the exception of Redman on "Oooh", most of the other guest spots smother valuable mic time from Plugs 1 & 2. Jay Dee's hyped up rubberband-snap track for "Thru Ya City" would have been better left alone, without DV Alias' annoying hook. Secondly, De La chose to bring aboard more outside production than necessary. The Rockwilder laced "IC Y'all" just comes off like, well, another typical Rockwilder formula track. Supa Dave West supplies a sub-par track too, not even worth going into. I don't mean to completely disrespect this album because, overall, there equally some defining moment. (Namely, "My Writes", "Ooh", "Thru Ya City" and "View"). Especially "View", it just thumps along nicely with a subtle piano loop lingering behind the drum roll and butter bassline, it's mad ill. "Mosaic Thump" is listenable but simply is not all that memorable for a De La Soul project. They've set a standard and it's impossible to expect anything less with each new release. Regardless, I'll always check for De La. Now when can we expect Art Official...Pt. 2 to drop?