Done By The Forces Of Nature

Ah, to muse on what could have been. First thing to note is the cover: where is the parental advisory sticker? No need for one. For you see, what we have here is a less famous entry in daisy age rap, a short-lived tendency in hip-hop circa 1990 when rappers adopted a gentler, more playful, more positive stance. Of course, pop rap has been a perennial since Rapper's Delight, and daisy age led directly to the positive hip-hop of Arrested Development, but then it all died a death, buried under the juggernaut of gangsta rap. And I think everyone can nowadays agree that this was a real shame. Plenty of angsta rap has really not aged well (you know what, kids? People might get a bit sniffy if you express misogynistic and homophobic sentiments), and more generally, people would like a softer, more thoughtful take on hip-hop, which this album is. And from the off, the album delights. This is an immensely charming album, the flow charismatic as only old-skool hip-hop couplets can be. It's genuinely pleasant to hear a rap contain the lines: Stay out the dark and you'll find that you'll be strong Believe in yourself and nothin' will go wrong There's room out there for those who want some Because everybody's got a little light, under the sun. Even the tracks about the ladies are about good-natured flirting rather than objectification, and Black Woman outright praises, well, black women, directly saying that, along with love and protection, black women deserve respect, a most appealing concept. Also, the music itself impresses in its funky diversity, ranging from bebop to doowop to 80s squelchy synths. There are nits to pick. The album is a little too long, and I didn't really appreciate the message of In Dayz 2 Come, but I'm all prepared to overlook those because the album is such a joy regardless. I came away wishing that this had taken off, rather than The Chronic, a conclusion with which I suspect many would concur. Sometimes the best doesn't win. C'est la vie.

Pioneers of mixing hip-hop with house and jazz (in fact they were the first to do the former), Jungle Brothers pack their second album full of irresistible beats and singsong flow. Some of the rhymes are wonderfully corny in that special late 80s way.

I really enjoy discovering the environmental message of these 80s hip hop

reminds me of NWA with less punchy beats, less punchy lyricism and less character

nope

mehhhh

Aaaaaand another hip hop album. Hard pass. 1/5.

perfect 80's hip hop

Very much liked this one

Really fantastic, these guys are great, clearly they paved the way for a lot of groups who came after. I hear them in De La Soul and even a little in Digital Underground.

Sweet rhymes, unique instrumentals, and fun, plunderphonics influenced production!

Aw yea. The simple kick snare pattern starts this trance like background where instruments and voices come in and fade out. sneaky Parliament sample at the end of Sunshine. Good Newz Comin' is a house beat jam. damn what a cool album.

A stone cold hip hop classic - I needed no introduction to this - conscious rap over some wonderful samples probably my favourite rap album ever....

не ну балдежный олдскульный хепхап, то что надо ваще

Really fun and easy listening. Great stories and messages too.

Wonderful!

Proto Tribe if I ever heard it. Tribe honed the blade, but the Jungle Brothers forged the weapon.

There should be quite some albums from Black Sheep, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, Tribe Called Quest etc in the list. Most of their albums in period 87-94 or so.. all five stars, including this one of course.

Liked it.

Love the lyrics and style, clearly influential in the scene of hip hop/rap

Great old school hip hop with very funky beats

cool

Absolutely no prior knowledge of this but what an album. Another gem from indisputably the golden age of hip hop. This sort of stuff is why I can't say I don't like hip hop, I'm just very selective.

These guys should write a manual like "How to do 90s hip-hop sound even more 90s". I felt transported to another time listening to this album, and I liked it much more than when I lived in the 90s. The mixture of sound and percussion instruments/beats is unique (at the same time, that was extensively used around hip-hop for the next 10 years after this release), and the lyrics and voices are unforgettable. It looks like a very influential album I should listen to more times in the following years. Hip-Hop albums are always too many dependents on the context, but they shine when some are also so influential and time-transporting like this one.

Dope! So fun! Will have to revisit!

I'd never come across this before and was listening to a lot of hip hop and rap at the time. Great album, full of clever samples and grade A lyricism.

Never heard of it before, my history with 80s/90s hip hop has been limited to just occasional Tribe Called Quest or The Roots. On research after listening, you can really hear how this was the foundation of those later acts. Rapid fire, bouncy hooks and social awareness. I dig it.

7/10 F.T.:Doin our own Dang

Good 80's rap. Easy to listen to, good beats all through.

This is dope. The early days of hip hop & sampling. 3.5

n_nagri , i really likes some songs

Classic hip hop beats

Now, THIS is the 90's hip-hop I adore!

pretty high quality hip hop

solid outing, if overshadowed by their better known work fav track: doin' our own dang

So much of the basis apparent of the first hip hop I really fell in love with, De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest.

Really solid beats

Great album. In a time when "gangsta" rap was coming about, the jungle brothers (along with other artists in their Native Tongues collective) were rapping about their environment and spreading knowledge to empower people(wanting to spread good vibes). As far as MCs go their lyrics are among the top and their beats aren't stuck in one genre, sampling from so many influences, giving them a unique sound. They continue to impress with each bar spitting poetry instead of memes(or relying on current references to keep their music relevant, which is why they will remain timeless)

This album is kinda cheesy now- reminds me of when people had 80s street dance offs with cardboard on the ground. But there is some important black culture here and I did enjoy hearing it. I can see Will Smith borrowed heavily from them too

Probably won't ever go back to it, but I did enjoy giving it a listen

Funky fresh.

funky

No way! Easily the least appreciated group in the Native Tongues collective, alongside Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. Very groovy, dance-y beats that sound a tad more dated than Tribe, but can you blame them? This was released in '89, I would've guessed mid-'90s! The rapping is great of course, but if we're going to compare to Tribe, they don't quite have the banter or charisma that elevated Q-Tip and Phife to legendary status. That perhaps explains why they aren't as well-known, but this is still a fantastic, really enjoyable album. Conscious, Afrocentric lyricism over some of the best jazz beats the era had to offer. I especially liked hearing the sample on "Beeds on a String" of one of the tracks Kanye sampled on "Fade" in 2016. The phrase "underrated classic" appears in the wikipedia page, and I think it's an apt descriptor. Favorite tracks: Tribe Vibes, Feelin' Alright, Doin' Our Own Dang, Black Woman, Beeds on a String. Album art: LOVE this one. Fantastic colors, great artistry. The kind of cover I like to get lost in looking for all the little details. 4.5/5

Pretty catchy

cool record, it sounds limited in its production but it slaps

A bit repetitive, but a vibe.

I'm going to give this album another listen because after one I think this may be something on the level of Tribe Called Quest. There were a few duds but almost all of the songs hit in some way for me. The lyrics were fantastic, the beats were those great late 80's early 90's, and I loved all the track titles with the "2" or "U" in quotes. This is also a phenomenal album cover. Favs were Feelin' Alright and Acknowledge Your Own History. These are the albums I hope to see on this list.

Hip Hop, 80-90s d'arrel.

I think this album got better towards the end Generally, I liked the album but I didn't find it consistently musically interesting enough to love it. The lyrics were good especially on songs like Acknowledge Your Own History, but I didn't like the musical aspect of it a lot. I really like the synth lead on Belly Dancin' Dina but the lyrics on that track aren't as good. Some lines like "I like to have fun by the ton" from (Done by the Forces of Nature) sound like Dr. Seuss which is not exactly the best. My favorite part of the album was probably the social commentary. Songs like Black Woman sound pretty modern which is not the case with some songs from the 80s and 90s about women (looking at you Jeru The Damaja...). Overall, I think the album gets better and more consistent towards the end. Favorite songs: Feelin' Alright, What "U" Waitin' "4"?, Good Newz Comin', Beeds On a String, J. Beez Comin' Through, Black Woman, In Dayz "2" Come, Doin Our Own Dang Decent 7/10

Alkuun ihmettelin, miten juuri tämä levy perustelee paikkansa 1001 levyn joukossa. Ehkä juuri siksi, ettei ole puhdas hipitihopräpäytys-levy, vaan levylle on koottu makumaailmaa muista tyyleistä. Hauskoja jazz-tyylisiä ja funkahtaviakin beatteja ja rytmejä. Vastapainona jossain What "U" Waitin' "4"? 'ssa on yksinkertaisuudessaan ihan maaginen ja tarttuva bassokuvio ja esimerkiksi Good Newz Comin' biisissä lisävärinä vikkelät bongorummuttelut ja Tribe Vibesissa torvet. Vähän kun maiskuttelin enemmän tätä levyä, niin on jeppis ja rento meno. Pyöristin melkein jo syöttämäni kolkin lopulta ylöspäin, vaikka ehkä turhan venytetty levy nelkulle. Toisaalta, levy soimaan kesällä korvanappeihin, kun fillaroi pitkin merenrantaa, niin voisi paukkua vitosetkin.

New one for me, liked this alot.

In the tradition of De La Soul and Tribe called quest this is classic old school hip hop, rooted in jazz break beats and R&B samples. It also has a few songs which are more funk inflected and almost reach the G-Funk sound. At the end of the album it’s got a meandering tone, lots of sample/break medleys, that is awesome—very loose, as opposed to song, song song. The break in “Doin our own dang” is dope, I could listen to it on repeat for hours. I know the jungle Brothers but never heard this album in full, loved it.

Pretty good old school hip hop

This was new for me and really enjoyed!

Miks između De La Soula i ATCQ Razigran album, ritmičan, sa dost dobrih stvari. Moooožda je mal dug za koju pjesmu, al to je većina kod tih rep/hip hop albuma, kriptonit njihov. Sve u svemu, dost dobar album, jeben vibe, baš se potrefilo dva slična albuma na random od 1001 albuma zaredom. Feelin' Alright kako pjesma nalaže. 3.8/5

Solid 80s Hip Hop

Some elements were typically sounding early hip-hop, but incorporation of different instrumentation (jazz, tribal) made it stand out.

i also like this

Exactly why I am taking this daily journey! Never heard of them before or any of their songs. Loved it! Success!

Very good golden age hip hop. I never really gave them much time before but should listen more.

4.1 - It's got that 125th and Lenox vibe - I'd hear these jams pumping from the street vendors selling bean pies, ginger juice, bootleg recordings of Malcolm X and tapestries adorned with the likeness of Haile Selassie. Uplifting, funky conscious rap that manages to not descend into the preachy and political. I appreciate the tribute to the "Black Woman", nice to hear a shout out to the sistuhs. These are non-stop bops underpinned by hard beats from the old school, and cool samples from jazz, African, R&B, funk. Really, what's not to like?

Probably 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the album a lot for never hearing of the artist before. Unfortunately most of the lyrics are forgettable over basic beats. Good for 80's rap I guess

9/28 Funky, feel good, conscious rapping, real talented group. Standout Tracks: Feelin' Alright, Sunshine, Acknowledge Your Own History, Good Newz Comin', Done By The Forces Of Nature, Doin' Our Own Dang

Wow this was a really fun listen I can't wait to delve deeper. Super smooth vocals and luscious beats. 4 🌟

Another excellent hip hop album… nothing groundbreaking but solid as!

Refreshing to hear a positive and fun outlook throughout a whole album. Never heard of Jungle Brothers before but their style and attitude is infectious. Great album all the way through.

Never heard of the Jungle Brothers before and after listening to this I can't figure out why they aren't more well known. This album came out the same year as De La Soul's "3 Feet High and Rising" and is every bit as good. Fun playful lyrics and great jazz-inspired beats throughout the whole album make this a fun and joyful listen. Favorite tracks: Feelin' Alright, Sunshine, Black Woman, Done by the Forces of Nature.

Great to listen to on a hot sunny afternoon

The sound of africa, toffe ontdekking waar ik een paar nummers van meepak

Decent classic rap album. Really liked Doin Our Own Dang (most popular track). Lots of tracks had more upbeat melodies instead of darker or more serious tones of modern rap.

Awesome. Similar to Sugar Hill Gang, but better to me. Really enjoyed this one.

Mjög svöl plata. Fer í reglulega hlustun.

Solid album that seems to have inspired many rap artists as a lot of the fabric of this album I’ve heard in albums that came after this one.

Some of a little dated, most of it seems ahead of it's time though!

Dig it! Added to my playlist. Immediately grabbed by the heavy beat of Beyond This World, enjoyed the dancing vibe of What 'U' Watin' '4', the great bass of Beeds on a String to the smooth listening of Doin' Our Own Dang. Although I understand how not everyone would be down with the infusion of Scat and Hip Hop as first apparent in the second song 'Feelin' Alright, along with the repetitive mumbo jumbo mix of Good Newz Comin' (reminded me of The Beatles Number 9) and not everyone wants to hear a 'message' and be all political when enjoying music. Can't help to think Arrested Development was influenced by Jungle Brothers, so much so I had to check to see if Speech was a member of Jungle Brothers.

Really interesting - sounds like a lot of 90s hip hop

Я начинаю понимать в хип хоп

Late 80s/early 90s rap is so distinctive. Great lyrics on this album, really powerful. Classic beats

It's been a long time since I've listened to rap in this vein. I really enjoyed this. So much going on and a lot of subtle, clever details. A fun listen.

Great sound. Ahead of its time

War für mich eine Offenbarung, damals... Feelin' Alright

for cheesy 80s hip hop, not bad!

Can't believe I've slept on this one all these years! So much forward momentum to the beats. Love the positive vibes.

Sounds both of its era as well as ahead of it's time in some ways. Surprised I had not heard this one before.

nichts erwartet, positiv überrascht worden

This album is so cool and classic. I love the mix between the important and intelligent criticism and clever sense of humor. I really like the cover art. Favourite songs: Acknowledge Your Own History, Good Newz Comin', Beeds on a String.

An Oreo and a Hydrox. Cheetos in the red bag and Cheetos in the blue bag. Pabst Blue Ribbon and Chimay Trappist Ale. I remember when I was a kid (1960-1970s) and the adults said that my music all sounded the same. And I guess to their uninitiated ears, Black Sabbath really did sound just like Grand Funk Railroad. But of course, you and I both know that those two really don’t sound like each other at all. Nor are they singing about the same things. Jungle Brothers are responding to their experience of being African-American at the end of the 20th century in quite a different way than, say, the infamous gangsta rappers. I think this is at least one of the reasons why some white people continue to purposefully mislabel this entire genre as crap rather than rap. They just don’t know any better, having spent virtually no time with it at all. In this way, rap is no different from country music- they’re both acquired tastes. I found Jungle Brothers to be a refreshing change from the violent, materialistic, misogynistic worldview of the much more publicized rap that white folks see on music videos and hear blaring out of car stereo speakers- that one can be authentically black in America without resorting to violent retaliation or irresponsible fucking or being high all the time. ‘The city’s a jungle,’ the opening track of 'Done By The Forces Of Nature' pronounces, ‘and we are the brothers. This so-called king of the jungle will run for cover. All of your minds have been set into a trance. So instead of fighting out your problems… we order ya’ll to dance!’ Dis it if you want. But have we even/ever given that a genuine try?

Not my favorite 80s hip-hop (and wouldn't have made my list), but still fun and thoughtful.

Really like the mix on this album. Lot's of different styles and samples, positive vibes, and some super corny 80's lyrics. Interesting to speculate on how hip hop would have evolved had something like this became more popular vs. the NWAs and Wu Tangs.

A real nice oldschool hip-hop record

Never heard of these guys. Being I late teen at tis time I am surprised that I had not. Definitely my style of rap. They not only reference but have a De La Soul quality about them. Love the little infused sound bites and samples they add with a bit of wit and charm. This album is just flat out COOL! Definitely should be a listen.

True classic hip hop in the vein of Earth, Wind, and Fire or Grandmaster Flash

I don’t know why I wasn’t pumped when I saw this album show up. Listening to it and thinking about the BASIC pop rap out at the time makes my head spin. Such a great group.

What a fun album. from start to finish just a feel-good vibe

Awesome album. Can hear the groove/beats that many of the pillars of hip-hop dance (such as locking and popping) that use music like this.

Good hiphop album. I have a preference for stuff that came later like Pharcyde, but lot of great samples and beats in there. Nothing stood out in particular though.

11th March 2022 Started on Friday but had to finish on Monday cos we had Jen’s parents staying for the weekend. Kew Gardens and French food. Shame I had to experience it so disjointed, but I like the vibe. 90s hip hop.

Solid old school hip-hop with a somewhat eclectic array of sounds. Upbeat and enjoyable

Another nice throw back from my youth, it's amazing to reconnect with albums I'd almost forgotten about

Awesome album, really enjoy the hip hop and lyrics.