People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
Reviews (page 7 of 14)
Better than I expected.
Pretty skibidi
Banging beats! A bit too old school for my taste but definitely has some bops!
the flows and the samples in this one >>>>>😩😩😩😩
Groovy. Last few tracks not as strong as the rest of the album. Fav Tracks: - I Left my Wallet in El Segundo - Bonite Applebum - Can I kick it?
funky
Loved this!
Such a great album full of bangers- I love the storytelling. Listened to this on a sunny train from Paris to Brussels and it gave me so much joy. It got slightly repetitive towards the end, so 4 stars
3.5
Really surprised how much I liked this album. Not a huge rap fan at all. But the kinda laid back hippy groove really got me in my sweet spot (8.4)
Cool old-style hiphop. Quite memorable. 4 stars
3.5/5
For some reason this doesn't get the same attention as their next two, but I think this is a great debut that more than holds it's own. "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo", "Bonita Applebum", and "Can I Kick It?" are bona fide hip-hop classics, but there's a ton of great deep cuts here too -- "Push it Along", "Luck of Lucien", "Go Ahead in the Rain", and "Description of a Fool" are all bangers. I think it sounds as fresh today as it did in 1990. 4.5 stars.
Not a genre I'd listened to before much and I enjoyed more than expected
Second TCQ album on this list. Pure rhythm and witty flows. Wicked production. Ahead of it's time. A bit too long for me
I’d rather give 3.5 but I’ll round up. I like the rhythms.
This album is great! I love the beats and the production on this album. I was blown away that this was debut album. Genuinely an amazing rap album. You will definitely know the hit off this album “can I kick it?”, but there’s a ton of gems on this album especially “I left my wallet in El Segundo”. If you are a rap fan (especially alt rap) you will love this album.
Solid craftsmanship on this album. Beats. Rhymes, flow.
Tribe is quickly becoming my favorite hip hop group
Solid old hip hop
Minus one start for not being Midnight Marauders, that's its only fault.
Solid 3.6, so I guess I'll round up.
Unbelievably smooth and iconic. Love these guys and this is a fantastic debut
Shocked that this is their debut. So confident and consistent and unique
one of the great debuts and a blueprint for the best and most consistent group in hip hop history
Several great cuts. Most of the album is pretty mid. Tribe always delivers though.
A Tribe Called Quest’s People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm is a genre-defining debut that whispers where others shout, flips Lou Reed with finesse, and weaves in Beatles and Stevie Wonder samples like a musical daredevil. Less polished than The Low End Theory but bursting with raw energy, this album is a blueprint for alternative hip-hop’s rise—proof that introspection, groove, and experimental beats could coexist. If Tribe’s legacy was forged in the fire of TLET, this album was the spark that started it all.
Great! 4/5
This will definitely be a repeat listen especially in the summer
Hip hop. Pretty good beats but the flow sounded about the same every song.
I like this. Very old school. Cool Rhymes. I like it more than most of the modern hiphop albums. There were some really good songs. It is very chilled music. "After Hours" is not bad. Also "Bonita Applebum" is somehow funny. "Push it along" also not bad.
Great album
Neat.
8/10
A wonderful hip hop album that still stands up today
like yes and if you think no then youre racist
Liked this a lot! Favorite tracks are Luck of Lucien, Can I Kick It, and Ham ‘N’ Eggs. Loved all the sampling!
I liked this quite a bit. A fair number of songs sounded roughly similar, but there were a fair number of decent melodies, loved most of the sampling, and good musicianship throughout.
I’m sure I’ve listened to this before, but the only songs I was confident I knew were “el segundo” and “can I kick it.” I thought about a 5, but I think it falls short. The back half felt weaker than the front half and even the original length (setting aside the remixes on the 25th anniversary edition) is maybe a little too long.
Have never actually heard Tribe's debut before. Solid. Samples are great, beats are great. Enjoyed the weird marriage of Cannonball Adderley and Sir Duke. They even travel forward in time to steal the sample from the Fugees Killing Me Softly cover.
A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm This band is considered to be one of the greatest hip-hop bands of all time, and you can clearly see that even in their debut album. Albeit a long one, all the songs in here are consistent and packed with bars and flows that'll you make think more. ATCQ definitely paved the way for the next generation of rappers that were about to come later on. Overall, this is great! 1.- Push It Along = 10/10 2.- Luck of Lucien = 8/10 3.- After Hours = 10/10 4.- Footprints = 8/10 5.- I Left My Wallet in El Segundo = 9/10 6.- Pubic Enemy = 8/10 7.- Bonita Applebum = 10/10 8.- Can I Kick It? = 10/10 9.- Youthful Expression = 9/10 10.- Rhythm (Devoted to the Art of Moving Butts) = 9/10 11.- Mr. Muhammad = 8/10 12.- Ham 'N' Eggs = 10/10 13.- Go Ahead In the Rain = 8/10 14.- Description of a Fool = 8/10 FINAL SCORE: 8.9/10
Enjoyed this. Good hip hop and great work listening 7/10
I like Tribe's stuff. Just good, 80s/90s hip hop. I love the samples features on this album - Hendrix, Lou Reed, Stevie Wonder, and Phil Spector. The album is full of the word play and double entendres I've come to enjoy from their work. Favorite song: I Left My Wallet in El Segundo Least Favorite Song: Really not a bad song on this album.
dope
Why my head bobbing?
I really like A Tribe Called Quest, and this is a good album. There’s nothing really wrong with it, but I don’t feel like it’s good enough for a 5 (Low End Theory is, though).
I do like me some ATCQ, but Low End Theory is still my fave.
Old school tribe called quest
Hecks yes! Smoooooooth and silky and transitions melting so seamlessly. The fade out and in YOUTHFUL EXPRESSION was sweet as Gushers.
Lajk
Hugely enjoyable but way too long.
Aussi bon que l'autre. 8/10
The beat is frogs.
A funky introduction to one of the most notable Hip Hop groups of all time. It's easy to see how their approach has resonated over the years, injecting funk and rhythm into all of their tracks. Content that is relatable to most of us, all with a head-nodding groove to follow along with. They so clearly stand out in a league of their own, and this is just the beginning.
This is an awesome album. Had it on high rotation this weekend, especially in the car. Very chill. Loved it.
Great album! Can I kick it - a classic!
90s hip-hop is always hit and miss for me, and I've listened to the Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders off and on over the years and have never been that impressed. That being said, this is a very impressive debut album for the group that I prefer to those other releases. The sampling was great, the lyrics were good, and the jazz elements fit well. 3.5/5 -> 4/5
Putain, 1990. Quelle année. Le mur de Berlin venait de se péter la gueule, l'Apartheid commençait à sérieusement sentir le sapin, et le rap, de son côté, était en pleine crise de croissance. D'un côté, la testostérone et la rage politique de Public Enemy avec leur monumental "Fear of a Black Planet". De l'autre, la gangrène gangsta qui commençait à infecter la côte Ouest avec un Ice Cube fraîchement échappé de N.W.A. et son "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted". Le décor était planté : du béton, des sirènes, des poings levés et une colère sourde qui menaçait d'exploser à chaque coin de rue. C'était lourd, c'était nécessaire, mais merde, qu'est-ce que c'était lourd. Et puis, au milieu de ce champ de bataille idéologique et sonore, un ovni a atterri. Sans bruit, sans fracas. Juste une petite soucoupe volante colorée qui s'est posée en douceur, et de laquelle sont sortis trois mec, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg et Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A Tribe Called Quest. Rien que le nom, ça sentait l'aventure, le truc pas commun. Moi, à l'époque, je commençais à peine à user mes fonds de culotte dans cette radio indépendante où tout était permis, du moment que ça sortait des sentiers battus. Quand on a reçu "People's Instinctive Travels...", je me souviens encore de la gueule de mes collègues. On passait du son qui te décollait le papier peint, et là, on se retrouve avec "Bonita Applebum". Une déclaration d'amour à une meuf, posée sur une boucle de jazz-funk si douce, si lascive, qu'on aurait pu faire des bébés dessus. C'était une anomalie mais une délicieuse, une indispensable anomalie. Ce disque, c'est l'anti-thèse de tout ce qui se faisait à l'époque. Là où le rap sentait la poudre et le bitume chaud, A Tribe Called Quest sentait l'herbe fraîchement coupée, le patchouli et l'innocence. C'était l'acte de naissance, avec De La Soul et les Jungle Brothers, de ce qu'on a appelé la "Native Tongues", cette mouvance qui prônait l'Afrocentricité positive, l'humour et une approche de la musique complètement décomplexée. Le sampling n'était plus une arme, mais une palette de peintre. Et quelle palette ! Q-Tip et Ali Shaheed Muhammad, en véritables archéologues du groove, sont allés déterrer des pépites improbables. On y trouve du Lou Reed ("Can I Kick It?", ce classique absolu qui repose sur "Walk on the Wild Side"), du Roy Ayers, du Weather Report... Tout un pan de la musique noire (et blanche) que le rap "sérieux" avait superbement ignoré. Le résultat est un disque qui flotte, un long road-trip nonchalant sous un soleil de fin d'après-midi. Les thèmes abordés sont à des années-lumière des préoccupations habituelles des rappeurs. On parle de végétarisme ("Ham 'n' Eggs"), de road-trip foireux ("I Left My Wallet in El Segundo"), de sexe, mais avec une candeur presque adolescente. Q-Tip, avec sa voix si particulière, feutrée et nasillarde, est le guide parfait pour cette balade. Phife Dawg, lui, est encore un peu en retrait, le sidekick rigolo qui balance quelques punchlines bien senties, mais on sent déjà la complicité qui éclatera sur leurs albums suivants. Quand je repense à mes années de disquaire, entre 1996 et 2007, cet album avait une place à part. C'était le disque que tu conseillais au client qui disait "le rap, c'est pas pour moi, c'est trop violent". Tu lui mettais "Can I Kick It?" entre les mains et tu voyais son visage s'éclairer. C'était une porte d'entrée, un pont entre les genres. Il ne s'en vendait pas des caisses, bien sûr. Les gamins voulaient du 2Pac ou du Wu-Tang. Mais les vrais, les curieux, repartaient toujours avec un petit sourire en coin, comme s'ils venaient de découvrir un secret. Alors, pourquoi seulement 4 sur 5 ? Pourquoi ne pas crier au chef-d'oeuvre absolu ? Parce que "People's Instinctive Travels…" est un premier album. Et il en a tous les charmes et tous les défauts. C'est un disque génial, mais aussi un peu naïf, parfois un peu longuet. Il y a quelques errements, quelques morceaux plus faibles qui cassent un peu le rythme. C'est un diamant brut, encore un peu maladroit. La production, bien que révolutionnaire, n'a pas encore la profondeur et la perfection de ce qu'ils allaient accomplir un an plus tard avec le monumental "The Low End Theory". Ce premier essai, c'est le brouillon de génie, l'esquisse qui pose les bases. Le chef-d'oeuvre, le vrai, c'est le suivant. Mais ne vous y trompez pas. Ce disque est essentiel. Il a ouvert une voie, une troisième voie dans un rap qui semblait se diriger vers une confrontation inévitable. Il a prouvé qu'on pouvait être intelligent sans être chiant, cool sans être poseur, et profondément hip-hop sans jamais lever le poing ou sortir un flingue. C'est l'album qui a ramené le "fun" dans le funk, et qui a rappelé à tout le monde que le rap, avant d'être un combat, était avant tout une musique. Une musique qui pouvait, elle aussi, raconter les voyages instinctifs de l'âme et les chemins sinueux du rythme. Un disque fondamental pour comprendre tout un pan du hip-hop qui a suivi, de The Roots à Mos Def en passant par Common. Une bouffée d'air frais qui, même 35 ans plus tard, n'a pas pris une ride.
Good fun listen
Enjoyable! Their later stuff sounds even better but this eases to a 4
Dated but fun!
Liked a lot!!👏🏼
Perfection
Ugh this is just good hiphop at its best w the samples and the lyrics and everything
To dage med to Hip Hop albums. Og sjældent har der været så stor forskel på lyden og stemningen. ATCQ er laidback jazz-hop. Det er lækre flows og sjove beskrivelser. Ikke et top album, men noget af det bedste Hip Hop vi har haft
I added this one to my library.
Timeless, great album
Good bumping beat. Some old faces like Bonita Applebulm and some new discoveries. Will keep coming back
Sometimes I can have a hard time to find earlier Hip.Hop entertaining to listen to. This album though had a really nice and what felt ahead of time beat selection and from the first track you can tell how good both their pen and performance is. This album gives me more perspective on them as a group and the future success they would have after this album makes a lot of sense.
Great old school hip-hop
First Wu Tang, then Lauryn Hill, and now A Tribe Called Quest. I've been getting a lot of 90's Hip-Hop groups I've been meaning to listen to for a long time these past 2 weeks. Very enjoyable, and funky album. I liked the way they incorporate all of the samples. There are some really big sample in there that would be really hard to get nowadays. The second half isn't as good, but it is still a pleasant listen. Very high 4 (almost a 5).
A lot of old jams I remember from way back, I didn't realize this was them. Solid chill background music
An iconic album from an iconic group. Excellent music, great songs and solid rhythm. They almost bring a sort of class to genre of the day.
Laid back beats, creative samples, and lyrics and flow that were different than anything else at the time with a chill vibe. Hugely influential and you can hear it.
Didn’t like it as much as others from them but still good.
A lot of fun. Lots of times where I wanted the beat made me feel more like dancing rather than the cleaning and prepping I had to do. The way they chopped samples was really cool. I appreciate the artistry. Not really something I’ll throw on often but I get it.
I love A Tribe Called Quest. Their Beats and their Lyrics are amazing. The only bummer is that if you listen at low volume, it all starts to sound the same. This is definitely an "active" listen in my opinion.
Would watch a movie based off of left my wallet in el segundo
Gary admitting to eating eggs at the end of Ham n’ Eggs is one of the greatest twists in modern music. Really good album, I mean it has Can I Kick It. Probably a couple songs I could do without, and I do think they have a couple better albums, so I’m gonna go with a 9/10
Based on sound alone, I'd give this 3 1/2, maybe a low end 4. But then there was the influence. And it was refreshing to hear rappers just having fun without the need to be tough, so I'm going to round up. I came across this comment on RateYourMusic, and it's so accurate, I will quote it: "This album is like Jordan's rookie year. You already know they're gonna be legends, but there was still room for improvement; their pinnacle was yet to come and there were aspects that they fine-tuned later on."
This was good. No cussing on a rap album. What?? Unheard of. This took me by surprise.
Sick beats
Shmoooove
Super mellow rap. Washes over nice and easy.
I liked most of this album... I had to break it up into sessions though and I think that the last session was the worst, so it ended on a bad note for me. Still, considering I enjoyed most of the album I'll stick with a low 4.
Enjoyed the beginning more than the end, but I thought it was great overall. Favorite track was Can I Kick It?
I bought this when first released. Have always loved this album.
Big fan
This is very solid. Great lyrics and feel without some of the anger (not NO anger, but maybe a little less) compared to other rap at the time
Funky shit, good stuff
Nothing more clever and groovy than Q-Tip & company!
There isn’t very much to say other than that this was the most precocious album of the 1990s
Fat basslines and funky drums put modern rap instrumentals to shame. Flow and lyrics are fun, but songs can be a little samey. Favorite songs: I Left My Wallet in El Segundo.
Do you like upbeat hip-hop? If so, this album is for you! I think this album is perfect for any upbeat hip-hop fans out there. I believe the lead singer's voice has a good range and goes well with the background music. Also, he sang really good hip-hop when this album was released, and his songs still have a good rhythm to them as well.
I really liked almost everything. The samples lyrics instrumentals. Great album totally recommend it 9/10
Great album, messaging is great. Nothing beats old school rap. Ham n’ Eggs is my favorite
Alright, I get to check out A Tribe Called Quest's debut after the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After listening to People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, I can see how they were considered pioneers in the conscious hip hop I've come to appreciate. Ali Shaheed Muhammed worked wonders on the programming and turntable to create strong and accessible hooks amidst all the experimentation. The jazz-influenced style served as an eclectic backdrop to rap, accentuated by Q-Tip's clean production and sample choices. As for the wordplay, Q-Tip, Jarobi White, and the late Phife Dawg struck a balance in poetic wordplay that comes off as a conversation where thought and expression were valued over machismo. I am genuinely impressed with their flows early on in their career. That said, as much as I enjoyed the album, I still had in the back of my mind that this is a debut album and it shows in places. For one, this album is a bit longer than it needs to. Not that any one song was particularly bad, but the opportunity was there to tighten the overall experience. Especially where attempts were made to connect songs with short interludes led by Jarobi where it seems like they had a loose concept for the album but never coalesces into a truly meaningful or engaging narrative to tie it together outside of the funkiness. Still, I had a good time traveling through the paths of funk and rhythm for Tribe's debut. This debut gets a solid recommendation, and I look forward to checking out Low End Theory later on this journey.
Jag gillar A Tribe Called Quest.
Very good. Feels like something I would like more and more on repeated listens.
Another terrific album! I hadn’t heard this particular Tribe album before but not surprisingly it was fantastic.
Really cool album that's slightly marred by over length and a lack of Phyfe Dog. Still, an important album from the old school hip hop days that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Muy buen álbum. Aunque no conozco mucho, debe ser de lo mejor del género. El sampleo aquel con Walk on the wild side me pareció increíble.
Not bad at all, but also not outstanding. A few highlights that bring it up to 4 stars but I have to admit it's a push.
Albumi #89, 25.10.2024 A Tribe Called Questin debyyttialbumi vuodelta 1990 oli kovassa kuuntelussa itsellänikin sen ilmestyttyä.
Two great songs with Can I Kick it and Youthful Expression
It’s hard not to wax poetic about the Golden Age of Rap, in which albums like this said something important. Q-Tip and crew were revolutionaries carrying rap/hip-hop into new directions by blending Afro-beats with Brooklyn rap and Harlem jazz. Key tracks for me include AfterHours, which lyrically puts you one the streets with him, and the flamenco-flavored I Left My Wallet in El Segundo.
Quite enjoyed this one. Lots of great cuts on here. Left My Wallet, Can I Kick It. For whatever reason Tribe escaped my young radar which is a shame. I was too into pop and gangsta rap.
Just really pleasant listening.
very fully realized for a debut album.
I was surprised by how much I liked this, but hesitated between 4 and 5... in the end, it was solid with a few numbers that I enjoyed, but just short of 5*s for me.
Sometimes the beat was a bit repetitive, but this was generally fun and fresh.
really cool throughout - as these guys tend to be. might even put this a notch above Low End Theory but idk
And out of all the 80s gangsta rap came People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. Intelligent, even maybe nerdy rap. It’s brilliant, smooth jazzy, flow from start to finish. Amazing what you can do with a real drummer. 8.5/10
Coming back to fill in some review gaps, I decided to explore Tribe’s debut alongside De La Soul’s first album and Ice Cube’s “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.” They all came out 35 years ago, and I recently heard an interview with the writer of the new book “High and Rising” about De La. More about that in the “3 Feet and Rising” review, but Tribe had an important place in building in the space that De La Soul created. “People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm” is such a great title and indicator of the kind of mindset and vibe that Tribe and other alternative hip hop artists would bring. It’s a refreshing respite from the anger that was enveloping hip hop in the last 80s and early 90s, and although the gangsta rap that followed NWA and Ice Cube was more popular, I so greatly prefer Tribe and De La Soul and wish theirs was the template that shaped the future of hip hop.
Amazing hip hop and rap setting the stage for the nineties.
Great
Huippuhyvä räppiplatta! Hieno debyytti. 4/5
Hyvällä tavalla levoton ja energinen debyytti. 4/5
Can you dig this?(Yes, you can). This is the second album from A Tribe Called Quest I've listened to, and it slaps. Some fun, old-school hip-hop beats, and lyrics throughout this album(I was born the year this album was released- good shit). Favorite Track: "Can I Kick It?"
Nice
qué placer cuando los samples están bien usados.
Enjoyed this album quite a bit!
An outstanding debut - from the first track, Quest tells us exactly who they are and what they’re about. They manage an album that is thematically sprawling but stylistically cohesive and wholly unique. No finer sampling work can be found anywhere. 8.5/10
I respect it, I just don’t like 90s rap
People's Instinctive Travels starts out slow, but after about 10 minutes it becomes clear that this is a staggeringly rich, deep album that rewards repeat listens. That Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad did this on their first album is mind-blowing. The only real demerit is that Phife, Tribe's secret sauce, was not yet committed to the group as a serious endeavor, so he only appears sparingly.
A very enjoyable album with a few amazing songs. Fun from start to finish
Really like their instrumentals and flow
Really enjoyed this. Regonizing all the samples in permit the fun haha.
Usually not a big hip hop fan but Tribe is incredible.
every song slaps, fun lyrics, very nice beats, very cool very nice would listen again
This was really worthwhile. Ive never given any time to A Tribe Called Quest, so it was all pretty much brand new for me The sampling was creative and the storytelling was generally interesting. There is definitely a flow to the album as a whole. Lots of great tunes that ill be spinning later
A little corny at times, but the 90s were just so damn fun.
Creative, cool use of sampling and production, an enjoyable listen. I could have listened to this around the kids -- I think "jimmy hat" is as blue as it gets here.
My first listen to A Tribe Called Quest, I am very impressed. Favourite Songs: Push It Along, Footprints, Can I Kick It?, Rhythm (Devoted to the Art of Moving Butts). Least Favourite Songs: Mr. Muhammad, Ham 'N' Eggs.
a tribe called quest deliver once again. they absolutely perfected this genre. they are lyrical masters, and the beats flow through you with ease. whilst this record is brilliant, it doesn’t quite top the low end theory for me - that is their masterpiece.
Wasn’t as immediately taken with this album as I was with their other one on this list. Doesn’t mean it’s bad by any means. “Can I Kick It?” is such a good song it gets a star just for that. Listened to a few of the tracks again and came around on the album a little more. Wish I could give it a 3.5, but I’m rounding up because there are some really stellar tracks.
Fav: Footprints Least Fav: Pubic Enemy The highlight for me was the instrumental sections, and overall album was great with 1-2 meh tracks. I’d say overall I am very excited to listen to more albums by A Tribe Called Quest.
One of the classiest hip hop albums ever made. Perfect for Sunday morning porch sitting.
I'm torn between giving this a 4 or a 5 because in terms of its influence on hip hop music, it's a huge milestone. In terms of comparing it in hindsight to their other albums, the Tribe was just getting started. To review this album, it requires you do a circuit of 90s and early 2000s hip hop music before you attempt to appreciate just how well this album was produced and its lyrical content. It's easy to get a club banger with a good producer, it's almost just as easy to find a rapper who can put out a dozen or so lyrically dense songs but it's rare to see an album with timely yet timeless classics composed of good production, great lyrics, and lasting influence. It's easy to exempt those rating this below 4 stars are lacking in their ability to see the historical importance of a hip hop album when all you've been salivating over is heavily made up glam rock and stadium rock bands who have exhausted their audiences' eardrums to appreciate the subtle nuances of samples picked for the stereos of cheap cars.
Still not into Hip Hop, but I liked this album
One thing this book has absolutely nailed is its coverage of classic Hip-Hop from the golden era across the late 80s and early 90s. This is yet another superb entry to the chapter. The beats are slick and just incredibly listenable. It never outstays its welcome and the blend of vocals keep it fresh, fun and arresting throughout. Still find it astonishing that this album, along with its peers, is over 30 years old. It surprises me that there aren't more acts like this in the 2020s; solo rappers and RnB artists seem to have taken over and it's a real shame.
every tribe album just makes you feel groovy. awesome
8/10 Favourite tracks: Luck of Lucien Bonita Applebum Can I Kick It?
Delivered on the promise.
Can I Kick It?
Love this record
I'm still too sick to write a proper review. It bops. 4/5
a teenager's guide to jazz rap -- and that isn't a bad thing! i feel like a lot of people stack this thing up against its follow-up, and to me, that just isn't fair. why should we devalue this album's accomplishments just because it's stacked up against The Low End Theory? pit most albums against TLET and you don't really have to guess which one comes out on top. anyhow, i think what makes People's Instinctive Travels stick out to me is its willingness to delve into being relatively lighthearted. sure, there's a few moments where it gets a little too silly for comfort (and Ham N Eggs is NOT one of them), but for the most part, i feel as if what PIT lacks in maturity it makes up in creativity. q-tip's an incredible MC -- as the main rapper on the album, he better be -- but what mostly carries the album is his and mohammed's production. i can count the number of times i smiled and said "oh my god are they really doing this one" on both hands whenever a sample came up, and yet every single track makes it work. maybe the tribe had yet to mature, but now and then i think we all need to savor when we were a hungry, horny little bastard. you don't stop having fun until the record ends, and then you gotta move on.
A Tribe Called Quest came out swinging with this phenomenal, genre-changing record. It was positive, experimental, well-rounded, and exclusively different than anything that rap and hip-hop was known for in the early 90's.
Stellar album. One of my favorite hip hop acts. Favorite track: Bonita Applebum other picks: push it along, footprints, can i kick it, rhythm
I’m pretty sure I prefer this to The Low End Theory—it’s not quite as focused, but the beats are fresher, the lyrics are stronger, and there’s a little more range. Great production as you’d expect. Could be a little shorter but a really solid album. Best song: Can I Kick It?
8.5/10
This was fun. Sampling done right. Also, any artist that can fit the word 'nincompoop' in without being cheesy is a winner. 4/5
### **In-Depth Review of "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" by A Tribe Called Quest** **Introduction** "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm," the debut album by A Tribe Called Quest, was released on April 17, 1990. The group, composed of Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White, is often credited with pioneering the jazz-rap subgenre. This album marked the beginning of their influence on hip-hop, blending innovative production, clever lyricism, and socially conscious themes. The album stands as a seminal work in the genre, setting the stage for A Tribe Called Quest's illustrious career. ### **Lyrics** The lyrical content of "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" is both playful and introspective. Q-Tip, the primary lyricist, uses his smooth, conversational flow to weave narratives that touch on a range of topics from everyday life to philosophical musings. The album is less aggressive than the more politically charged rap of the late 1980s, such as Public Enemy, and instead opts for a more laid-back, positive approach. Songs like "Bonita Applebum" showcase Q-Tip's skill in storytelling, focusing on themes of love and attraction with a poetic and almost whimsical style. The lyrics are not overtly complex but are clever and filled with double entendres and metaphors. On "Can I Kick It?", the group offers a laid-back anthem that plays with the call-and-response style of classic hip-hop, creating an infectious and memorable hook. The lyrics often reflect a youthful exuberance and curiosity, as seen in "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo," which tells a humorous tale of a road trip gone awry. This narrative style is one of the album's strengths, as it allows the listener to engage with the songs on a personal level, making the stories relatable and memorable. However, the album does not delve deeply into the socio-political themes that would later characterize much of their work. While the lyrics are clever and engaging, some critics argue that they lack the depth and urgency found in the group's later albums like "The Low End Theory" and "Midnight Marauders." ### **Music and Production** The production on "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" is innovative and groundbreaking for its time. A Tribe Called Quest, led by Q-Tip's production alias "The Abstract," crafted a sound that was heavily influenced by jazz, funk, and soul. The use of samples was meticulous and creative, drawing from a diverse range of sources including Lou Reed, Roy Ayers, and Stevie Wonder. The album's production is characterized by its use of jazz loops, warm basslines, and crisp drum patterns. This jazz-inflected production would become a hallmark of A Tribe Called Quest's sound and influence a generation of producers and artists. The sampling technique on this album is more melodic and harmonically rich compared to the more rhythmically focused sampling of other hip-hop producers of the time. Tracks like "Footprints" and "Push It Along" exemplify this style, blending smooth jazz instrumentation with head-nodding beats. The use of space in the production, allowing the tracks to breathe, is another notable aspect, giving the album a laid-back, almost meditative quality. One of the standout features of the album is its seamless blend of different musical styles. The group was not afraid to experiment, and this resulted in a unique sound that set them apart from their contemporaries. The album also utilizes call-and-response vocal techniques, which add a dynamic and engaging element to the music. However, the production, while innovative, is somewhat uneven in places. Some tracks feel more fully realized than others, and the album's experimental nature sometimes leads to moments that are less cohesive. This is perhaps a reflection of the group's early stage in their career, still finding their signature sound. ### **Themes** The themes explored in "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" are varied, reflecting the group's curiosity and wide-ranging interests. The album touches on themes of self-discovery, love, humor, and social consciousness, but it does so with a light touch. One of the central themes is the idea of a journey, both literal and metaphorical. The album title itself suggests a journey through life, exploring different experiences and perspectives. This theme is reflected in the album's eclectic sound and the stories told in the lyrics. Tracks like "Pubic Enemy" deal with adolescent experiences and the awkwardness of youth, while "Description of a Fool" addresses the importance of self-respect and integrity. "Ham 'N' Eggs" uses humor to discuss dietary choices, but also subtly critiques societal norms around food and health. The album also reflects a sense of positivity and optimism, which was somewhat countercultural in the hip-hop landscape of the late 1980s and early 1990s, which was often dominated by more aggressive and politically charged content. This positive outlook is part of what made the album stand out, offering a different perspective on the black experience in America. However, some critics have noted that the themes, while refreshing and diverse, are not as deeply explored as they could be. The album's lightheartedness, while appealing, sometimes comes at the expense of more profound social commentary. This is not to say that the album lacks substance, but rather that it does not delve as deeply into the issues it touches on as some of A Tribe Called Quest's later work. ### **Influence** The influence of "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" on hip-hop and music in general cannot be overstated. The album helped to define the sound of alternative hip-hop, paving the way for other groups like De La Soul, The Pharcyde, and Digable Planets. Its blend of jazz, funk, and soul with hip-hop was revolutionary at the time and helped to expand the sonic possibilities of the genre. The album also influenced the way samples were used in hip-hop production. The creative and diverse sampling on this album demonstrated that hip-hop could be more than just beats and rhymes; it could be a rich tapestry of sounds and influences, creating a new musical language. Lyrically, the album's playful and introspective approach helped to broaden the scope of what hip-hop could be about. It showed that rap did not always have to be about bravado or social issues, but could also explore personal experiences, humor, and abstract ideas. This opened the door for more diversity in hip-hop lyricism, influencing countless artists in the process. The album also had a significant impact on the development of jazz-rap as a subgenre. By incorporating jazz elements into their music, A Tribe Called Quest helped to legitimize hip-hop in the eyes of a broader audience, including jazz aficionados and music critics who may have previously dismissed rap as a passing fad. However, the album's influence was not immediate. It took some time for its significance to be fully recognized, as it was somewhat overshadowed by the more commercially successful and socially charged albums of the time. But as the years passed, "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" came to be seen as a classic and a blueprint for what hip-hop could become. ### **Pros of the Album** 1. **Innovative Production**: The album's production is one of its most significant strengths. The use of jazz, funk, and soul samples created a unique sound that was fresh and groundbreaking at the time. The production is warm, melodic, and has a timeless quality that has aged well. 2. **Creative and Clever Lyrics**: The lyrics are witty, playful, and often introspective. Q-Tip's storytelling ability and Phife Dawg's energetic contributions add depth and personality to the album. The lyrics are accessible yet thought-provoking, making the album appealing to a broad audience. 3. **Cohesive Theme**: The theme of a journey is woven throughout the album, both musically and lyrically. This creates a sense of coherence and unity, making the album feel like a complete work rather than just a collection of songs. 4. **Pioneering Jazz-Rap Sound**: The album helped to define the jazz-rap subgenre, influencing a wide range of artists and helping to expand the boundaries of hip-hop. Its blend of genres was innovative and set a new standard for hip-hop production. 5. **Cultural Impact**: The album's positive and optimistic outlook was refreshing and provided an alternative to the more aggressive and confrontational hip-hop of the time. It helped to broaden the scope of what hip-hop could be, influencing both the genre and the wider music industry. ### **Cons of the Album** 1. **Uneven Production Quality**: While the production is innovative, it is somewhat uneven. Some tracks feel more fully realized than others, and there are moments where the experimental nature of the album leads to less cohesive results. 2. **Lack of Depth in Themes**: While the album touches on a variety of themes, it does not explore them as deeply as some of A Tribe Called Quest's later work. The lighthearted approach is appealing, but it sometimes comes at the expense of more profound social commentary. 3. **Youthful Inexperience**: The album reflects the group's youthful exuberance, which is both a strength and a weakness. While the album's energy and creativity are infectious, there are moments where the inexperience of the group is evident in the execution of certain ideas. 4. **Overlooked Upon Release**: Despite its innovation, the album was somewhat overlooked upon its initial release. It did not achieve the same level of commercial success as other albums of the time, and its influence was not immediately recognized. This means that its impact was somewhat delayed, and it took time for the album to be fully appreciated. 5. **Lack of Phife Dawg Presence**: Phife Dawg, who would become a more prominent voice in the group's later albums, has a relatively limited presence on this album. This results in a somewhat unbalanced vocal dynamic, with Q-Tip dominating most of the tracks. ### **Conclusion** "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" is a seminal album that helped to shape the future of hip-hop. Its innovative production, clever lyrics, and pioneering blend of genres set it apart from its contemporaries and laid the groundwork for A Tribe Called Quest's later successes. While the album has its flaws, including uneven production quality and a lack of depth in some of its themes, its influence on hip-hop and music in general cannot be denied. The album's positive outlook and creative approach to storytelling and production opened new possibilities for what hip-hop could be. It stands as a testament to the group's creativity and vision and remains an essential listen for anyone interested in the evolution of hip-hop. As the album's influence continues to be felt, it is clear that "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" is not just a milestone in A Tribe Called Quest's career, but in the history of hip-hop as a whole.
Why does every song so aggressively cut off I don’t LIKE it
Outstanding. Never heard anything other than can I kick it but by god this was amazing.
Finally something that was worth listening to unlike the previous shites. First few songs were quite good (lyrics and beat wise)
Ah, the times where hiphop was funky and rap didn’t go deeper than “I went to the store and bought a hat”
This is a group I had heard of but never heard. I really appreciated it and how well it was written. Rap gets so bogged down but tittes, drugs and how amazing the rapper things he is so I always really appreciate rappers that go beyond the obvious and talk about deeper topics and do it so flawlessly and effortlessly. This was a great example of an album and group that did that. Titties, drugs and their egos may have been included but they all had purpose and reason, not just because it sells records. Overall great album.
When it comes to old-school hip-hop, I’ve often pointed out how a lot of it hasn’t aged particularly well. But this album is an exception—it’s definitely held up better than most from its time. It may not have the same energy and punch as some of the other records that dropped around the same period, but that’s exactly what makes it timeless. The lyrics are more thought-provoking, and the production has a jazzy, laid-back, smooth vibe that plays to its strengths. While it might not have aged perfectly, I find myself coming back to this album far more often than other releases from the same era.
Great debut, great beats and great bars. Set the standard for future quest records. Loved it
Stone wall hip hop classic.
When it comes to old-school hip-hop, I’ve often pointed out how a lot of it hasn’t aged particularly well. But this album is an exception—it’s definitely held up better than most from its time. It may not have the same energy and punch as some of the other records that dropped around the same period, but that’s exactly what makes it timeless. The lyrics are more thought-provoking, and the production has a jazzy, laid-back, smooth vibe that plays to its strengths. While it might not have aged perfectly, I find myself coming back to this album far more often than other releases from the same era.
This muthafuckas Jamin’. Was not expecting Bonita Applebum to be the original sample for Fugees Killin Me Softly.
Now this is a hip-hop group that belongs on this list! A Tribe Called Quest is arguably the most acclaimed hip-hop group that I've gotten an album from so far. They're certainly up there. Here we have their debut album. I've been getting a lot of those lately. Does this album hold up? Yeah. I'd say it does. This is a pretty good album right here. It's definitely one of the better hip-hop albums I've gotten so far. The beats are great. There's an element of light jazziness that gives this album a different vibe in comparison to other acts of the time. And you know what? I like that. Of course, the jazz elements apparently end up increasing in later albums of theirs, including their most acclaimed album, and this album's followup, The Low End Theory. I'll have to hear that for myself whenever this generator decides to give me that album though as it fortunately also appears on this list. Another thing that apparently increases on later Tribe albums is the presence of members that aren't Q-Tip. Despite being a group, the vocals in this album primarily come from Tribe's de facto leader, Q-Tip. While he does a great job and I can see why he's the leader, I did enjoy Phife Dawg's verses and hope to hear more of him on The Low End Theory. The writing on this album is also solid. It's a nice album. Songs like "Can I Kick It?" showcase the joys of music quite well. The album's closer "Description of a Fool" is an entertaining call-out making fun of abusive boyfriends. "Ham 'N' Eggs" is about healthy eating. Everything comes together to make an album that's fun but also a bit chill. It's a mellow fun, you know? Good album. Low 4/5.
Much more my speed
Great fucking album. Had previously heard some music from A Tribe Called Quest but never really had the chance to do a discography dive into their work. Glad this site gave me a reason to listen to more.
Tribe is awesome...but I am a bigger fan of other albums. I left my wallet in el segundo and can I kick it are the clear winners of this album. You know, I think I was just put off by the first long song on this album, it is actually better than I was originally thinking.
Liked this, very smooth
If I am going to listen to hip hop, this is the type of album I’d choose: lots of energy, positive, and a bit silly.
Killer album.
song reco: can i kick it, ham n' eggs ⭐⭐⭐⭐ not my thing but they got the vibes.
Oh, this sounds fresh. This is why I like this project because knowing very little about hip hop, I get introduced to some great albums. I like the teases of other songs (footprints intro, can i kick it). 4* Highlights: luck of lucien, can i kick it
I really enjoyed this one. Not sure I will revisit it ever but it was a good listen. Not obnoxious, it was catchy. Great 90s hip hop. Wonder if other records were as good.
Cool Favorite tracks: Luck of Lucien, I left my wallet in El Segundo
Quality as expected 4*
Good beats, good vocal delivery
Great flows on the album. Some songs may drag a bit, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the listen
As someone who is a fan of The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders, I've surprisingly never made it around to listening to ATCQ's debut. I enjoyed this as the production is crisp and you can see they are starting to develop their classic sound. The downsides are the lyrics and flows are definitely dated and this feels more like a Q-Tip album with Phife Dawg only providing features. One of the things I love about their later releases is Q-Tip and Phife Dawg going back and forth and neither of them dominating the stage.
La producción es alternativa, con su lírica a veces con diálogos. Muy buenos beats. Le daría 4.8, ¿tal vez después 5?
Classic, old school rap of the wholesome variety. A very fun listen!
Kinda fun! I Left My Wallet in El Segundo and Bonita Applebum were my favorites! Pretty clever lyricists!
A beautiful album from the masters of the craft.
I enjoyed this a lot. Somehow A Tribe Called Quest passed me by at the time though I was into De La Soul and similar groups. This is one I will return to.
Creative fun rhymes
Super fun listen, the beats and samples were really cool
I love the vibe of this album. So many good songs.
it was easily the best album i have gotten so far and i have not been doing this for that long only 3 days but this is a very good album, i would listen to it again. 4/5
Really solid album - great beats, fun samples, and awesome lyrics that you would expect from such a hugely influential early 90s rap/hip-hop group. Incredible how many artists were clearly influenced by them.
I like hip hop, and this is just ok. It didn’t blow my mind at all?
Cool
First half is an absolute banger, the second half... just as good!
Bop after bop. Isaac (1.5 y/o) is bobbin and dancin along the whole album
旧派嘻哈
Vibin all the way through. Doesn’t get much cooler than this. 8.5/10
Good.
-love the drums -love Tip's flow -samples are used so nicely -influential -lyrics are also great -not the most consistent tho, but still the "worst" track on this albus is also a great song -production in general is dope -the baby crying on "Push It Along" as a metaphor for the group being born is just pure genius! -favourite songs: Push It Along, Luck For Lucien, Footprints, Bonita Applebum, Can I Kick It? (<3), Rhythm, Description Of A Fool (<3) -least favourite song: Ham 'n' Eggs
This is one of the greatest hip-hop albums. The moment I heard it for the first time, I instantly liked it
Best example of the type available. Smooth and melodic - just great.
I mean, A Tribe Called Quest are just awesome. Favourite tracks: Push It Along, After Hours, Footprints, Bonita Applebum.
Funny und mega gueti beats (vorallem für 1990)
okay back to oldschool hiphop. ich lieb de q tip. er isch do etz scho sehr haus maus underwegs aber huere charmant und mitme schmunzle falls das goht. beat und sax interlude richtig cool uf push it along. pigs are wearing blue lesgo q tip. after hours beat huuuuere geil trotz scratches? uuuund denn riese drums i love it fuuuck huere geil. footprints samplet sir duke da isch iiimmer guet. und de beat nocher isch au seehr geil. q tip sooo smooth. bi gad huuuere am vibe i left my wallet isch funny. was isch s sample?? oke chbers brothers, kenni nöd demfall kennis vo dem song. public enemy au coole beat sie hend de beat useneh und denn wiiterrappe aber es element dezue huere druf. flöte gönd duuumm. ah pubic nöd public enemy. find etz de nöd sooo geil. aber immerno funny. bonita applebum huere funny. haha er reimt 37 uf made in heaven nimmt sich nuuuull ernst isch super. ah s walk on the wild side sample oh yeah. jo du chasches kicke q tip. und wie. youthful expression isch wieder chli meh lyrical spiritual aber eigentli guet. uf rhythm fönds ein verse ah mit mama say ah - mama ku sa und ich finds recht geil. HAHAHA ER SEIT "briiidge" und denn chunt d bridge. beatdrop uf go ahead in the rain isch insane. bin bim letste und s isch eig nume instrumental aber ich han e saugueti ziit, glaub dasch nomel e vieri. sehr verdient. geili beats viel selbstironie mega laid back mega funny super cooli samples und alles tönt super warm
ES HET ALLES GLÖSCHT ABER JA LUCK OF LUCIEN ISCH SO FUCKING GUET de fröschli isch au sehr cool bi after hours hahahah also pubic enemy isch jz nöd mis lieblingslied gsi aber sie hend eifach huere spass can I kick it riese sample schinken und ei mann ja chli blöd hets so vill glöscht aber es isch wie erwartet es huere spassigs album, d beats sind geil, mengisch funny lyrics und me ghört dass sie spass hend ich glauub low end theory hetmer schono chli besser gfalle aber klars 4i
4 stars
My first time listening to an album that sounded like that. Not usually my type of music, but I actually liked this one.
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would - it's not really my thing. Youthful Expression was my favourite.
tasty
I love this album. It's an incredible early example of how alternative hip hop was growing out and apart from the mainstream. The beat production is so cool and jazzy and still hold up as some of the best rap album production ever made. I'm hesitant though to put this in the league of the best rap albums of all time. I don't really like Q Tip as a rapper, I think Phife is a lot better and I don't understand why he isn't included in so many of these tracks. If he was more prominent in the album it would probably be a 5 for me.
Great stuff, not their best. Feels like we're finally moving away from the 80s hip hop sound
Great beats, good vibes. The lyrics and flow is too old school for me. I really don't get the whole story-teller setup of many of the tracks.
Amazing. Definitely could be a 5 star record if it was 20 mins shorter. So cool and so inventive though.
A breakthrough, chill mix, rap and soul perfection.
So I got cut off in traffic while listening to Rhythm and barely got annoyed. A Tribe Called Quest bring enthusiasm to their music and it resonates with the listener, I really appreciate the passion and joy they put in and get out of their art. I also really liked that the entire band was introduced during the first song. Bring sampling back for fucks sakes 4 stars
I didn't think I liked A tribe called quest I always thought they were boring this album was a really fun listen
This was an actually an enjoyable album. I think it went on a little long. But it was nice to hear some rap/hip hop that wasn’t full of 4 letter words.
Not bad. Not my usual style of music
Tribe has one of those sounds that makes it hard to stand still. Overall an excellent and funky album.
3, possibly 4 fellas tryna talk my tousers off to the sound of dusty beats and filthy basslines.
Felt like it was a tiny bit too long, which meant it can start to blur in to one at points. But otherwise great.
This is good stuff. Neo soul is a great genre and it doesn’t get much better than this.
Indeed I did like this - even before it got to the singles. Enjoyed the laid back, chilled and yet interesting and enjoyable feels and vibes. Its Rythmic and urban cool (without anger), and beats (without getting tiring). ohh what do you call this, NEO SOUL, alternative hip hop? I like. is that Public Enemy reference and hommage I detect. Very Varied - bounced around but I didnt seem to mind, as its got somethign *happy* about it, and chill. Like
There were two calls to action in the household as my kids were stung by the hip-hop bug. One was The Beastie Boys’ “Root Down!” And the other was definitely “Can I Kick It?” by A Tribe Called Quest. This album must have copped a hiding in our house, because there’s so much of it that I remember - nothing more so than the wonderful way they intertwine segments of Lou Reed’s Walk On The Wildside into Can I Kick It? And Bonita Applebum (which first throws up the Can I Kick It? call & response); and what was my favourite - I Left My Wallet In El Segundo. I always liked this style of hip-hop - give me Tribe, MC 900 Ft Jesus or Us3 any day. More about music & melody than angst. And the sampling on this album is sublime. It was a pleasure to revisit.
How did I not discover this record decades ago? I obviously know all the singles (which are terrific), but I have never listened to this album. I was beginning to despair that I didn't actually like hip hop. The rise of gangsta rap in the early 90s really turned me off. It is too violent, too misogynistic, too homophobic. I find it unpleasant to listen to. And most mainstream rap is heavily indebted to gangsta (I'm looking at you, Eminem and Jay-Z). I have found the preponderance of that on this 1001 albums list hard to take. But I love De La Soul's Three Feet High and Rising. It has been a favourite record ever since it was released, which is why I am baffled that I never gave A Tribe Called Quest much attention. I have read a lot of rapturous reviews of their records and even watched Michael Rapaort's hagiographic documentary Beats, rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. And I never followed through to hear what their records were like. And boy, do I feel foolish now. I really like this record, for all the reasons that everyone always goes on about. It's smart and funny and funky and thoughtful and relaxed and sophisticated and silly. This list of samples on the album would form the basis of a pretty good record collection (Beatles, Lou Reed, Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Roy Ayers, Rotary Connection!, Cannonball Adderly), and they are imaginatively deployed here in a way that soon became impossible due to legal wrangling over sampling. I can't believe that I never really listened to this before. It's the sort of record that I was listening to and would have liked when it was released, and yet, and yet.... Well, it's going straight onto my want list now.
Never heard this album!!! I knew the bangers, but now I know the rest. Love Tribe.
Mood: excellent Setting: biking for fun Had never actually listened to this album although had heard a couple of the more popular songs. Great stuff overall
Another one of never have listened to by myself. Really enjoyed
So smooth. Iconic
A few songs felt too long but all in all a 4 star album!
Admittedly didn’t listen to the whole thing, but through the first half of the album I found it hard not to get into the beat of the songs even though I’m not the biggest rap fan. It feels like anybody would be able to bob their head along with this album.
This one’s pretty easy. This is one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. A Tribe Called Quest is on the Mount Rushmore of hip-hop groups.
I listened to their twice in a row. Somehow never heard it before but enjoyed their later albums, I think I always assumed it would be a patchy debut album with can I Kick It and a load of filler. Not the case at all and sounds just as good as the first De La Soul
As a ginormous ATCQ fan, I've always, regrettably, dismissed their debut album. But I was always aware of its undeniable influence in the Jazz rap genre, ironing out many of the cluttered and eclectic jazz-sampling styles of late 80s groups like De La Soul. If I recall, I always found this album too long and repetitive, and I couldn't enjoy the more simplistic rhyming when compared to their two impeccable follow-ups "Low-End Theory" and "Midnight Marauders". With that said, I've scarcely revisited this one recently aside from a few songs, so I was super excited to dig in again. I used to listen to this album a lot back in school during my 7 AM commutes to campus, and it always had this sleepy and hypnotizing effect on me, especially during those bleak mornings. I used to listen to ATCQ a lot back then. I feel like everything I initially didn't like about this album miraculously turned into the reasons I now love it. It's very well produced, and the cleanliness of the jazz beats here was a feat at the time. They're fuzzy and crackly, but undeniably cohesive, driving, and heavy. Their repetitiveness, and repetitiveness in hip-hop in general, is an acquired taste. It becomes less about looking for something new within each song, and more about letting already-established grooves and rhythms latch onto you. This album does that very well. I love the triumphant horns on "Luck of Lucien". "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo" is one of the most fun beats to listen to here because of that driving drum beat that's filled with so much character. "Bonita Applebum" has a dirty guitar sample interjecting a more typical jazz groove resulting in an almost dissonant effect that still manages to work very well. I love the ethereal opening to "Rhythm" and the looped vocal sample across "Mr. Muhammad" sounds ahead of its time in a weird way, almost EDM-esque as well. I love the fat, bassy groove of "Go Ahead in Rain" So yeah, the beats are great. But another thing that made me apathetic towards this album was its rapping. For one, Q-tip is very much at the forefront. He's an incredibly smooth MC, but Phife's yelpy, loud, and comedic rapping was something I always loved in these tribe albums. He is on quite a few songs here, but most of the songs here are purely Q-tip songs. The rapping here is fun, easy-going, and (for the most part) wholesome. With the exception of a song like "Pubic Enemy", a deconstruction of the prevailing spread of STDs, many of these songs are admittedly meandering. Simple punch lines and simpler premises are what you get here. "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo" is an aimless story of Q forgetting his wallet in a pub, yet it's still fun to listen to every time. "Ham N' Eggs" promotes healthy eating and "Bonita Applebum" is a nice little love song. This wholesome and easy-to-digest style of writing is very love-or-hate and your enjoyment of it can vary based on your current mood. Aside from Phife and Q, you have Jarobi doing the little interludes and Ali Shaheed Muhammad on DJ duty. Despite being more in the "background" upon initial listening, their presence is still very much felt. I have to mention the song "Can I Kick It" as a whole because it's largely important to me. I love the bass loop that this beat primarily consists of, it's so warm and welcoming. I know it's sampled from a Lou Reed song, but to me, the bass works wonders over Q-tip and Phife's rapping here. It's a song that promotes a steady loosening of impeding stressors and worries through a love for music. I don't find it hard to call this one of the greatest rap songs of all time. I don't think it's a surprise that I liked this way more than I remember from years back, I almost knew that would be the case. Tribe still stand as one of the most important groups to me in my early music discovery journey. While I do think this record is a tad bit bloated, it still contains that soul, emotion, wholesomeness, and life that I yearn for in jazz-rap records.
This album and The Low End Theory only had 17 months of time in between their releases. It’s a weird point to make when the focus is what came before. With the amount of evolution, improvements and changes made, to realize it was done in that little time is absolutely mind-boggling. Not to say that People’s Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm isn’t bad by any means. It’s a wonderful foundation that led to the absolute classics that came after. It’s just having listened plenty to the other Tribe classics plenty of times before exploring this album really magnifies what they left out to improve their future works. First off, Q-Tip is on rap duty for almost all of this project. While Phife’s presence on later albums either gives a solid breather or makes you just appreciate Q-Tip being able to hold a project down even better. This project already runs long at over an hour and the lack of change can get a bit exhausting as some of the more stilted flows start to feel repetitive. It’s also weird how little Phife is involved given how often he is mentioned early on. (Side note, I think Phife isn’t absolutely corny. I also enjoy I Left My Wallet in El Segundo and think it’s a good litmus test as to whether you will enjoy Phife or not.) Next is the extended outros and one-off skits. While they can be a relic of golden era sampling, in this project they add a lot of negative space and bloat to the project for something unmemorable. That is unless they horribly transition into each other during the sequence. This is something not found in TLET and Midnight Marauders as the edits are much more smooth, purposeful, and cohesive. Lastly is Q-Tips' sometimes completely moodless performance. While a good portion of the project is played cool by Q-Tip to make the more stilted flows work in his favor, he doesn’t quite yet have the skill to perform as enthralling as he does on future releases. His chill vibe becomes almost too calculated and expressionless on tracks like Youthful Expression, Footprints, and Rhythm (Devoted to the Art of Moving Butts). These are the main things that separate People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm from being great but there’s still a lot from it to be enjoyed. For me, the lyrics are a highlight and that’s definitely a personal preference because I can tolerate absolutely corny stuff if it doesn’t interfere with the performance. Aside from a few disappointing sexuality insulting bars, mostly everything is kept clean, chill, and cerebral but not too brainy. Inner rhyming can be a bit forced at times but it doesn’t derail the flow. The production for the most part is also very solid, especially on the first half of the album. The percussion choices and record scratches really pair well with the cool jazzy samples and I really like the vocal effects added on the MC transitions. I was also listening to the 25th anniversary remaster (with the original track list only) and the mix on that is absolutely splendid. This album has a few classic tracks that can’t be ignored. Can I Kick It is obviously the one everyone cites first but Luck of Lucien, Bonita Applebum, Mr. Muhhamed, and for me (and maybe some others), I Left My Wallet in El Segundo are Tribe Tracks that I will gladly go out of my way to play beyond this album. While it’s the first album that suffered from all of the growing pains. People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm still holds up in its own ways. While I think there may be a bit too much overwhelming praise and recognition. Given the act that’s responsible for it and what they would go on to do after this, I’m not too far behind in saying this can share a spot with the classics. High 7/10
Great stuff!
I think I can listen to Q-Tip rap all day. (That's not true, I can't listen to that much rap. But I'm really enjoying his catalogue and blending of hip-hop, jazz, and soul.)
It’s pretty fresh beat wise, both Phife and Tip grew lyrically in the following albums. Maybe it’s not fair to compare it to their later work, at the time I am pretty sure there was almost nothing else like it. Still! The best was yet to come.
I had great fun with this! It's positive, it's funny and it's very nice to listen to. The vocals are on point and the changing cast keep it all quite fresh. It's also quite silly quite often, which isn't so much for me, but there's definitely a time and a place for it.
Had never heard anything from this (other than Can I Kick It). Such a vibe. Got just an amazing flow. Smart lyrics, rump shaking rhythms. I like. Unexpected bangers: I Left My Wallet in El Segundo, Mr. Muhammed, Ham 'n' Eggs.
Amazing album! Honestly, I think I’m giving it a 4 because I know of the brilliance to come from the group.
This isn’t my first album by A Tribe Called Quest. I found The Low End Theory to be fine - it didn’t blow me away but I wouldn’t say I disliked it either. This is my only preconceived idea of the group, so let’s see if today offers more of the same or not. Songs I already knew: Can I Kick It, Ham ‘N’ Eggs Favourites: Can I Kick It I found this to be a fair bit more engaging than the other album. I liked how it gave a chilled out, laid back feel with the instrumentation. Can I Kick It still gets plenty of airplay and for good reason. I can’t really put my finger on why I enjoyed this album more. Perhaps I’m just in a better mood today? Regardless, I liked this, and you might too!
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm ‘If you need em I got crazy prophylactics’ Strangely I’ve not listened to this album. I love The Low End Theory and I listen to Midnight Marauders and Beats, Rhymes and Life pretty frequently, so it’s odd I haven’t given this a go, especially as it has three of their best know songs, Can I Kick It, I Left My Wallet in El Segundo and Bonita Applebaum. Those three songs remain excellent. Can I Kick It is ubiquitous but is a great song with a great sample. Push it Along, Luck of Lucien, Youthful Expression and Mr Muhammed also stood out. This is a very good record though, all the elements that make ATCQ great: excellent use of sampling, great hooks, loose jazzy beats that sound almost live, Q-Tip’s delivery and an overall laid back atmosphere. It sounds great too, with a nice depth to it sonically. Overall a very very enjoyable 4, might get up to a 5 with more listens. ⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Great sample choices. Fun, playful but profound bars. An innovative approach to hip-hop which undoubtedly left it's imprint on hip-hop history. Feel like Denzel Curry got quite some inspiration from A Tribe Called Quest. 8/10
Kaden would love this... Not bad for hip pop
Good beats and lyrics. I like the use of the samples in a somewhat purposely off putting way. Snippets of major and bright sounding samples over the main minor and melancholy beat
Surprised that I liked this as much as I did. I like the samples they use and the rock undertones to the beats and raps. I may download and listen again.
Can't go wrong with 90s hip-hop
A good surprise.
Nice solid hip-hop album. Solid bars, nice flows, & chill beats to do work to.
Fun beats, great lyrics.
TRIBE
I put on De la Soul is Dead a few days ago. Time to further my Native Tongues education! Yeah, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm kinda confirms my belief that the N.T.'s era of hip-hop died too soon. Catchy, goofy at times, but also smooth as heck. Much like yesterday's listen of Beyoncé's new album, a Beatles sample almost never hurts ("Luck of Lucien") HL: “Push it Along”, “Footprints”, “Can I Kick It”, “Mr. Muhammad”, "I Left My Wallet In El Segundo" April 2, 2024
Debut albums rarely arrive sounding like a group has been around for a while. Sometimes it’s true that they are making music on the cusp of a major change in the genre. This is one of those records, and the genre still hasn’t caught up with it. Tribe made the kind of record that still inspires all these decades later. It explodes with inventive musical and lyrical ideas—Hip-Hop doesn’t get much funkier, jazzier, or groovier than this. “Vibe” is by now an overused concept, BUT this whole album is an indisputable vibe. It really made listeners feel like the ‘90s were about to be a whole new thing. Listening to this, you’d be justified in that belief. Respect to instant top-tier MC Q-Tip. RIP Phife Dawg who reigns eternal. Hail Ali Shaheed Muhammed and Jarobi. We’re all part of One Tribe thanks to the foundation laid down by this group on this record. More greatness was to come, but this one planted strong roots for the growing.
Bonita Applebaum, Can I Kick It.
Strong 4.5.
Liked it more than I thought I would…wasn’t ready for it, or open to it, in 1990
Can enjoy, not my preference.
Really cool old-school hip hop, really enjoyed. Not my typical listen but it was a treat. Never heard the album but I swear the album art is giving me serious deja-vu. 3.75/5
Great stuff
Achingly cool and soooo laid back, this was one of the anthems of early 90s musos. Really enjoyed listening to it again and have added it to my mellow work playlist. Favourite track: Can I kick it?
A cool album but not their best. Too long/ too much filler
This is an effortlessly cool blend of hip-hop, jazz and some very cheeky samples that flows beautifully. I loved the way that the tribe is introduced in the first track, giving the album the feel of a party where you are meeting a bunch of new people who are all happy to include you in their musical meanderings. My favourite track was I left My Wallet in El Segundo which spins a yarn of an ill advised road trip into the desert.
Pretty good laid back hip hop. I like how samples are used, I love the rythm overall of the album that is an invitation to chill. And the production is also pretty good with a nice and round sound. The contrast compared to gangsta rap of the same period is striking.
Fantastic hip hop album
As excellent as the last one. I love the samples they use and the way they use them- just little pieces here and there instead of it being the basis of the entire song. 4.5
Very cohesive and classy. 70s r&b/soul samples give it a timeless quality. Funny hearing that sitar sample in here after the Fugees album. I wish I had known this when I was young - it would have been a good entry point into rap/hip hop. 4.0
Really good album. Trails off towards the end
Really enjoyed this album more than I thought I would.
Love tribe, such dependable boom bap. Great sampling and interludes
Classic but didn't hit me as strong as when I first heard it. 3 for listening but giving it a 4 for being a classic and so influential.
Such a great hip hop album. Wholesome, creative, and just good vibes. Hard to find stuff like this anymore.
Not my favorite or the best tribe album, but Bonita into can I kick it might be the best back to back songs they have. Production is always great and there is something about QTip’s voice that always draws me in. They simply kept getting better from this point on
Really loved this. It was cool to hear back to back the Bonita Applebum sample in the Fugee's Killing Me Softly.
Classic album.
Still funky fresh 30 years later 4/5
Can I kick it?
Enjoyed this one
I've never listened to a A Tribe Called Quest album in full before and I'm excited to finally do so. I've heard a lot about their influence and excellence and enjoyed the solo albums of some of their members very much. I was also a little bit apprehensive because of all the hype as well. But I didn't need to be apprehensive, because it is really good. The beats are great, the sample work is kind of bananas, and it's bursting with personality and humor. I can hear how its influence has stretched over pretty much all contemporary hip hop. It's great to listen to an album this foundational and enjoy it. Highlights: Footprints, I Left My Wallet in El Segundo, Can I Kick It?, Youthful Expression, Ham 'N' Eggs
Love Q-Tip and probably underrated that when I came round earlier. So was tempted to right that wrong and throw out a 5* here. But I think 4* makes sense, there are other hip-hop albums yet to appear that I’ll be giving a solid 5 to and this just falls short of them. Simpsons: Yes, couple of different references (A Tribe Called Pesto)
This one was a delightful surprise. Made the drive home from work pleasurable. My favourite track was 'I left my wallet in El Segundo'
Came in with high hopes after loving Q Tips Renaissance. Haven’t really heard much of this sort of music in the past for whatever reason but have heard of the band. I knew Can I Kick It and really liked it. I never used to be a fan of sampling but I’ve learned to really appreciate it and this album has some great funky samples. I think a lot of it will benefit from a few relistens but I really enjoyed it. Not as much as The Renaissance but that grew from a 4* to a 5* so maybe his will too
nice rhythm and rhymes but a little long for my tastes
this is some good, fun 90s rap. I'm into it! the album was a bit on the long side but the songs were varied and interesting. cool use of samples (superstition was a fave) and there's a lot of good stuff here that I'll revisit in the future. favorites: luck of lucien, i left my wallet in el segundo, bonita applebum, can i kick it, ham n eggs
listened to again great debut
I found it informative what was listened to during the 1990s. It was soft and soulful and I don't think I heard a single sexist lyric. It made me realize nearly all of my music influence comes from church music. Saved one of the songs in the end. Found like a sort of jazz in terms of the free flowingness.
Fun beats and great rhymes.
I really liked the beats, very simple and not noise. Lyrics clean
Absolutely fantastic debut from the Hip-Hop phenoms known as "A Tribe Called Quest". 9/10 for me. "Ham N Eggs" is the only dud in my opinion.
Beats are crazy, bars are sick, little weird but it’s okay
4.5
Buttery smooth hiphop. Can still hear the hiss of the vinyl that they sampled the beats from. Creamy vocals, easy to digest. Not a huge amount of variety, but honestly how much can you do with a crumby old Akai and some battered records.
Still fresh after more than 30 years. Some great and recognisable samples.
Big love.
3.75/5 Chill album, best to put on the background.
I love me some Tribe. They hit the scene swinging with this album, with classic tracks aplenty and an inspired collection of samples. And Q-Tip has one of my favorite voices in hip-hop -- his flow is unreal. Still, you can hear that this is a debut; they haven't fully crystallized that Tribe magic that is so apparent on albums like Midnight Marauders or The Low End Theory. This is super fun and laid-back music, and honestly might deserve 5 stars. But since they had better on the way, I'll adjust accordingly.
Solid
I’d like to like this more because I know it’s a classic influential album, but it’s just not really my cup of tea
Me when I see a sand castle: Can I kick it? Yes I can!!
Interesting what hip-hop would have been like without all the poppin' and hoes and the poppin' of hoes isn't it.
Really enjoyed this
Amazing vibe that gets you in the chillest of chill.