Done By The Forces Of Nature

How is it that this was a first listen to this album. Sure, I knew some of the songs, but what a superb piece of work!

Beats were fun and funky. Love 90s hip hop

That album seems like a prototype for so much that came after

A somewhat neglected group from the Native Tongues, Jungle Brothers epitomize the best of nineties creativity in the hip-hop format. It's party music, in its own way, but it also swaggers a literariness that could be called poetry, but in fact resembles something older in quality: 'Shake your butt but don't break your back / Tap your feet and let your fingers snap'; 'All you read about is slavery / Never 'bout the Black man's bravery.' It's the combination of body-positivity and mental-positivity that makes this album an exemplar release - whether they're rapping about 'Belly Dancin' Dina' and being 'junglistically horny' or how 'the oppressed will be saved from oppression,' their pedagogy is inseparable from the dance floor.

You could probably put together a cogent argument that the amount I like this means I’m old.

Done by the Forces of Nature is Jungle Brothers’ underrated masterpiece, a funk-fueled celebration of hip-hop’s golden age that sits comfortably in the Native Tongues collective while marching to its own beat. In 1989, while others were rapping about revolution and rebellion, Jungle Brothers offered a vision of unity, self-expression, and musical experimentation, blending jazz, Afrocentric themes, and minimalist beats in ways that felt ahead of their time. Their intricate rhyme schemes and socially conscious messaging laid the groundwork for future artists like The Roots, J Dilla, and Chance The Rapper to carry the torch of positivity and musical fusion. Though it never quite reached the commercial success of their peers, Jungle Brothers’ second album remains a crucial touchstone in hip-hop's evolution—a work that holds its ground alongside the genre's most iconic releases. Done by the Forces of Nature may not have dominated the charts, but its influence is undeniable, and its message still resonates today.

Wonderful old school hiphop. Great beats, good lyrics. No complaints.

This is what I’m talking about!! Tribe is my favorite but never got into Jungle Brothers. It is excellent! Will save and listen in rotation.

This should be required listening. It is 80's hip-hop, sure... but so much jazz and James Brown and just MORE than Sugar Hill or harder, rougher genre samples.

Wild that the JBs did every single beat on here, and every one is fresh. No misses.

A classic of the golden age, when everyone involved in hip-hop knew the four elements - and used them to elevate their blocks, boroughs, and cities.

A seminal early native tongues release. Loved it.

Really dug this album. It transported me to 90s New York.

A great album by a solid undervalued group. As solid and groundbreaking as their partners in the Native Tongues.

Really good! Peaceful, intelligent, informative, cool and groovy. Well done Jungle Brothers, I get why this is a Must Listen

I was more familiar with the JB’s debut album and was never really able to get into it. This one on the other hand really hits the Golden Era hot spot.

Wow, I'm blown away by this. Sounds amazing for 1989 - has aged considerably more gracefully than a lot of hip-hop from around then and a bunch of it still sounds fresh as hell! Ugly Duckling are one of my fave recent hip-hop acts and I know they're deliberately trying to hark back to golden age hip-hop, and I reckon this is the album they have in mind. I gave this a second play through right away, and I'm gonna listen to their first album next. Great stuff! Fave tracks - "Acknowledge Your Own History", "Tribe Vibes", "J. Beez Comin' Through", "Black Woman", "Doin' Our Own Dang"

It’s so nice to hear hip hop that’s fun, playful, positive, and well put together. I just cannot listen to any rap or hip hop that’s full of gang violence, hustle culture, misogyny, and homophobia. Like, I have no time for any of that. I’d rather listen to artists like Jungle Brothers, or (ignoring some religious themes) Arrested Development, or (ignoring some of the controversies) Public Enemy.

Absolute class.

Fire classic rap 👍

Sure, it's fun, varied and inventive, but where's the misogyny, feuding with other rappers, and petty diss tracks?

i miss hip hop like this

Brilliant! The samples are ace. It’s all over the place with so many genres. Loved it. 4.7

What a blast revisiting this criminally underrated masterpiece from the hip hop golden age (underrated in the sense that it's still forgotten in some retrospective best hip hop albums lists). *Down By the Forces of Nature* is the quintessential Native Tongues (and Zulu Nation-adjacent) album. And as such, it paved the way for the commercial success of De La Soul (who had already released *3 Feet High And Rising* in 1989) and A Tribe Called Quest (who would release their own debut the year after). Both acts (plus Monie Love) feature in the funky party cut *Doing Our Own Dang" by the way, and you can find the latter towards the end of this tracklist--another reason this record is "historical" for all hip hop heads out there. Forget "Daisy Age" rap, a term mentioned in one of the reviews up there--this was just a joke De La Soul used to promote their debut LP, and they quickly disowned that reductive tag. The name of that collective was NATIVE TONGUES: conscious and afrocentric-minded lyrics, some humourous moments to give a human spin to the latter, and most of all, rich, multi-layered music piling up tribal rhythms, infectious basslines, Parliament-Funkadelic-like guitars, house music-tinted trippy synth touches, and huge sprinklings of jazzy textures and tones. It's probably hard for younger listeneners to realize this today, but the overall sound of this album marked a *huge step forward* for the whole rap genre, and this almost singlehandedly. Just compare this to 90% of the other rap albums released in 1989. So the influence of *Down By the Forces Of Nature* cannot be overstated. The Pharcyde and Souls Of Mischief also owed a lot to this record, for instance. And oddly enough, so did West Coast gangster rap: listen to snarly "U Make Me Sweat" and good-spirited "Belly Dancin' Dina" (the subtle lyrics of both cuts about how women can entice and obsess men, coincidentally--but without any blatant misogyny either) and once you've listened to those two cuts, make the connection yourself. Here it is, in "Belly Dancing Dina": the same winks and quotes going back to the George Clinton songs that Dr. Dré would recycle a few years later for Snoop Dogg. Dré listened to that album for sure. Funny how you can find hidden bridges between those two parts of the rap world that were officially "competing" with each other at the time... Speaking about rap and misogyny, "Black Woman", featuring Soul II Soul's Caron Wheeler, makes it clear woman-hating and women-objectifying has no place in the Jungle Brothers world. Of course, that good-natured track also exemplifies the few moments on this LP that sound a little too naive or dated today (In terms of the rap flows and some of the instrumentals used for instance--but also when it comes to the cheesy artwork on the cover). After all, *Down By The Forces Of Nature* was released in 1989, so it can't have aged *that* well. But the minor flaws are easily outweighed by the manifold assets present in this record. Take moody-yet-tight-and-driven opener "Beyond This World", airy-yet-lively "What U Waiting 4?"--with its sci-fi-adjacent synth loop coupled with hard P-funk rhythm--or "Acknowledge Your Own History", a proud and dignified track--both lyrically and musically--aptly explaining why systemic issues in education got Black students uninterested in history classes given how white and European-centered the latter were... Even more impressive is the *perfect* string of cuts gracing the middle part of this album. Starting with the wonderful, cinematic instrumental highlight "Good Newz Comin'" (what a stellar breakbeat!--and don't miss the frankly incredible electric guitar flourishes at the end of the instrumental!), that admirable string of tracks then lines up bangers after bangers: the title-track, "Beeds On A String" (beads on a string indeed, ha ha), "Tribe Vibes (featuring KRS One!) and "J Beez Coming Through". As some other reviewers on this app, I wish that sort of album had taken precedence over the more mind-numbing (yet more commercially successful) Gangster Rap albums that followed--even though I like or even love some of them, and readily recognize their cultural importance as well. Unfortunately, Western societies--including American society--are indeed *violent*, competitive societies. Hence why the utopia represented by that sort of hip hop record couldn't take hold. I have the CD of this album in front of me, and on its back cover, I can see a logo saying "Stop the 🔫" ("Stop the guns and violence", in case that emoji doesn't look clear enough for you guys). In this day and age, one cannot praise *Down By The Forces Of Nature* enough for pointing the way towards a sort of rap entertainment that promotes political consciousness and positivity, and this over music that slaps as hard as this on an artistic level! Here's me hoping new versions of that sort of rap albums can go back in style one day. And I also hope some of you concur, especially younger listeners. I can admire rappers such as 21Savage or Future these days. Doesn't mean other philosophies and aesthetics aren't possible. And this even today. Food for thought, I guess... 4.5/5 for the purposes of this app, rounded up to 5. Which translates to a 9.5/10 grade for more general purposes. Number of albums left to review: 219 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 339 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 199 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 251

Great, conscious, afro-cenrtric, thoughtful raps, great beats and good vibes.

I had this on a tape since it first came out. Love it still to this day. One of the great examples of sampling.

Not into rap but this was great

Pleasantly surprised with how good this was 5/5 listened to multiple times and will listen again

This is an album that I would have been into back in the time of its release. Why did I not know of it??

Very fun, very groovy, very good.

Haven’t heard this one before. I love the healthy start to his day the narrator makes in Sunshine. Veggies and fruit with a glass of water haha. The single Doin’ Our Own Dang is so fun. It must be a semi-popular song based on the number of plays on Spotify; I didn’t recognize it but I’m glad I know it now, what a tune! Tribe Vibes is pure excellence as well. This reminds me a lot of A Tribe Called Quest, which is as strong of an endorsement as I could give. It’s cerebral, funky, jazzy, and dare I say wholesome? I think jazz and hip hop mash beautifully when done well, and I imagine this record has influenced some of my favorite hip hop albums (I hear Tribe, Wu Tang, even Kendrick at times in these songs [“the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice!”]). I could honestly see this becoming one of my favorite hip hop albums ever, after two listens I think I have it alongside Paul’s Boutique for best of the 80’s? Superb.

LOVE. This is the best of hip-hop...can't not dance!

The positivity of this album! It's full of "believe in yourself", "accept your brothers and sisters", and "know thyself". I'm loving this. Albums like these are why I keep slogging through this project. I grew up in a music-less house. This never made it past my radar at all. No age is too old to be introduced to great music. Hip-hop was going to take a stylistic change around this time. These guys are preaching a message of peace and acceptance. I don't know how I would have taken this when I was younger, but this is exactly the message I needed to hear today. The sampling is outstanding and the production is on point. This whole album is an instant party, just add speakers. Going to let this one keep washing over me as I get my work done.

Awesome. It's on my list!!!

5/5

Loved "Beeds On a String"

A surprising hit

I bought this album on release, back in the day, and listened to it more times than I can remember. It was a seminal part of my musical experience back then and it has fully stood the test of time. There was nothing else like it at the time. Imitators by the hundreds followed, which gives some idea of its impact. Every single track is momentous, an absolute joy to listen to.

Damn I've never heard of these dudes before! This was sick. Groups like Tribe obviously took a lot of inspiration from this. One of my favorite eras of rap. Can we talk about the production?! These beats are sickkkkk, especially the first track. Super ahead of their time and on-par with De La Soul in my opinion.

In the rich tapestry of hip-hop's evolution, few albums stand out as boldly and brilliantly as Jungle Brothers' sophomore release, "Done by the Forces of Nature." Bursting onto the scene in 1988, this pioneering collective hailing from New York City managed to redefine the boundaries of hip-hop by infusing it with a potent blend of Afrocentric consciousness, jazz-inspired melodies, and an unapologetic celebration of life. From the moment the needle drops on the vinyl, "Done by the Forces of Nature" commands your attention. The album's opener, "Beyond This World," is a sublime introduction that immerses you in a world where the mundane is left behind. It's a hypnotic journey of tribal rhythms and entrancing vocal samples that instantly transports you to a higher plane. Throughout the album, Jungle Brothers display a remarkable ability to seamlessly merge diverse musical influences. Tracks like "Feelin' Alright" and "Tribe Vibes" showcase their knack for marrying jazz and funk elements with the gritty beats of hip-hop. It's a testament to their musical prowess and willingness to push the boundaries of the genre. Lyrically, the album shines with an insightful and thought-provoking narrative. The socially conscious themes explored in songs like "What 'U' Waitin' 4?" and "Beeds on a String" reveal the group's deep commitment to addressing issues such as racism and inequality. These tracks serve as a powerful reminder of hip-hop's roots as a platform for social commentary. One of the album's standout tracks, "Doin' Our Own Dang," features a memorable collaboration with A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. This hip-hop supergroup creates an infectious, feel-good anthem that celebrates individuality and creativity. The chemistry between these iconic groups is palpable and a testament to the era's collaborative spirit. "Done by the Forces of Nature" also possesses an innate ability to uplift and inspire. Tracks like "Acknowledge Your Own History" and "Done by the Forces of Nature" encourage listeners to embrace their heritage and connect with the world around them. The positive energy exuded by these songs is infectious and speaks to the album's enduring appeal. Production-wise, the album is a marvel of its time. The intricate layering of samples, innovative drum patterns, and diverse instrumentation make for a sonically rich and rewarding listening experience. The meticulous craftsmanship of the album's production, courtesy of the Jungle Brothers and legendary producer Kool DJ Red Alert, is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail. In conclusion, "Done by the Forces of Nature" by Jungle Brothers is not just an album; it's a transcendent work of art that transcends the boundaries of hip-hop. Its fusion of genres, socially conscious lyrics, and infectious positivity make it a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences today. It's an essential addition to any hip-hop aficionado's collection and a shining example of the genre's boundless potential to inspire and uplift.

I love this era of Hip Hop and this record never gets the love it deserves compared to others from the same time including groups like A Tribe Called Quest. The Brothers were doing it first and were a clear influence on Tribe and others of the era. A great record.

Kick ass! Like super cool. Kinda like tribe.

9/10 idk man, this sounds A LOT like A Tribe Called Quest - can’t say one is ripping off the other, but seems kinda sus

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.

Dope! So fun! Will have to revisit!

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.

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.

cool

Great old school hip hop with very funky beats

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

Liked it.

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.

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

Wonderful!

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

не ну балдежный олдскульный хепхап, то что надо ваще

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

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.

Very much liked this one

perfect 80's hip hop

131225 15:30 3.5

I enjoyed this record and found it really refreshing. I liked the beats, the jazz, and a lot of positive messages/lyrics.

It was fine

Great early hip hop album.

I wanted to hate on this cause it's another one of those Hip Hop albums that are universally adored by white Rock critics but less relevant among real Hip Hop fans ... but it legitimately is a really great album.

Wow! Very cool earlier hip hop that I was totally unaware of. Cool!

Yessss, this album is like a breath of fresh air after a string of 70's rock albums, so perhaps I went into this hungry for variety. Added a couple songs from this album to my playlists!

The writing is slick and the samples are well chosen. Cool album.

Bit of a classic

Yeah enjoyed this

Nice beats

At first a bit repetitive but got into it after a while. A bit too long but overall good. Title track and Acknowledge… were best tracks for me.

Jungly goodness

Couldn't find a version to listen to today but have fond memories of this native tongue posse classic. Representative of a time when hip hop was more open. Not as tuneful as their brethren De La Soul or ATCQ, but still fun and a little more connected to the NY hip hop scene w DJ Red Alert and KRS-One, for example. I wonder what these guys are up to nowadays?

An old school Hip-Hop album that actually has a positive spin on life, with a touch of Afrikaan sprinkled in the album. Favorite Track: "Sunshine".

Pretty good groove with great messages.

The third part of the collective that was formed with a tribe called quest and de la soul. There are references to both throughout. In comparison to the other two, this one sits in between when it comes to entertainment and danceability. It isn't as varied, but it wears its positive message on its sleeve the most. Depending on your outlook that might be a liability but to me it ends yielding a similar score.

Solid hip hop album from 89. Good flow and deliveries. Weirdly this album is not available on YouTube music? Listened to a playlist on YouTube.

The sweet sweet sound of positivity. As better reviewers have said, the sliding doors moment where gangsta rap took off rather than this warm hip-hop hug is probably responsible for all the ills in the world from the 90's to the present day. Good beats, sharp, aspirational lyrics occasional bagginess and 0 bitches and guns. Oh what could have been.

I don't think I've heard of Jungle Brothers before but I quite enjoyed this. It had a De La Soul vibe but I liked it more. I also heard some samples that I know from later hip hop albums (Snoop, Dre, TLC amongst others)

Pretty solid album, but a lot of the songs sound very similar. They use the same flow a lot, and a lot of the beats are just a motown drum sample and nothing else. Besides that, this album is very enjoyable. Low 4.

I had never heard of this group or this album and that's a shame. It's very obvious that they had influence on Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. I would listen to this more but since I had to find it on YouTube, it's going to be hard to do it. I hope it becomes available on streaming.

It really sucks that this isn’t on streaming, because it’s pretty good.

Genuine and earnest, this album was a delight.

I had a good time with this. It’s a lot like De La Soul but with less interesting samples.

Lots of good bops here. Really funky bluesy tunes. Steady rhythm. Really enjoyed it.

This is a vibe.

A classic in this era of hip hop

Liked this

I can't find a track in which Pow Wow (apparently of Soulsonic Force, RIP) rocks a rhyme to Billy Squier's Big Beat, but was funny to hear it mentioned but not actually sampled. Also, every transcription of the lyrics to Feelin' Alright misspells Squier. All of which is utterly beside any point, but this is a fun, wholesome album.

Good sampling

I've never heard 80s rap like this before. There are the same elements as the rest of them but the way these guys were moving is just so DIFFERENT. Less punchy/more smooth, but not losing the impact in the lyrics. You can catch so many themes and ideas (and even samples) that are now mainstays in the genre. Way ahead of their time. Highlights: Tribe Vibes, Black Woman

Wonderful flow. Ahead of its time.

A pretty chill, laid back album. I liked it!

21/1001 Done By The Forces Of Nature - Jungle Brothers (1989) From front to back this felt like a forgotten classic. The endless joy and fun of 'Feelin' Alright', the infectious hip-house rhythm in 'What "U" Waitin' '4"?', the celebration of African heritage and ever-timely criticism of American racial dynamics in 'Acknowledge Your Own History' and throughout, the bending bass of the title track. There is so much to say about this album, and the writing is solid. Although, as with many hip-hop albums of this era, the album could've done with some trimming (as fun as 'Belly Dancin' Dina' and 'J. Beez Comin' Through' are, the album would be better off without them). I was also nice to recognise a lot of samples that have become iconic from their use in Golden Age hip-hop, and their usage here is great. Bloat is the only thing holding this album back from being up there with some De La Soul and Tribe albums. ★★★★

It's like a jungle sometimes and I don't mind.

Somehow, I had not heard of this: it's kind of awesome, great beats, great samples, great lyrics.

Original, melodic, fun and interesting.

I think straight out the jungle is a better album. 4 stars.

This was a really fun listen. “U Make Me Sweat” had me boppin along almost immediately, and “J Beez Comin’ Through” was great with that “Fly Like an Eagle” sample. I love albums like this that pull from so many different kinds of music. Half the fun is just listening for what they grabbed and trying to identify it. That’s a big part of why this one works so well. It feels creative without turning into a mess, and it keeps things moving the whole time. Favorite song: "J Beez Comin Through"

No sé porque me da vibes del intro de Kenan y Kel y eso es bueno, bailé muchas veces. lo disfruté completamente

New to me. Great groove. I'm not sure how I've missed this group. Hip hop fused funk, jazz trips. Very cool.

Solid. Brilliant. The prototype for the greatness of 90s hip hop.

Hell yeah, this is the point of the project. This completely missed me, which is a little weird since I enjoy Queen Latifah and De La, both of whom get shouted out here and they're definite contemporaries. Regardless, this is great! Positive vibes without being corny, dope production that doesn't sound super dated, and while the bars hew a little too earnest and/or preachy sometimes, the actual flow is legit. That said, it's definitely of a time. If you don't care about late 80s/early 90s hip hop, this will not change your mind. I do, though, so this is like a fantastic new discovery. The only real knock is that it gets a little baggy in places, and it's a little overlong. But that's part for the course for the era. This rules.

i'll admit that i was annoyed i couldnt listen to this on spotify but the beats and vibes are undeniable. Black Woman rocks

Funky, what U waitin 4 does something to me man Most of the beats on this had me dancing 4

8/10. Solid through and through. If Rap/Hip Hop ain’t your thing, it’s still worth a listen with a couple of judicious track skips. But, let’s call it a gateway drug. Let’s call it eating your veggies. Listening to this is good for you and will open a whole new world of art. (I’d still go with Low End Theory first, but we haven’t gotten there yet, so take this for a ride until we get there.)

Pretty funky and groovy; I liked it!

Pico

first listen cool stuff

positive hip-hop

Loved this one, kicked off a morning of 80s and 90s hip hop. 'What "U" Waitin' "4"?' stood out but more of a vibe

Funky, catchy beats with some interesting rhythms and that smooth 80s/90s hip hop style. A lot of fun! Doin' Our Own Dang was the highlight for me.

just like, spectacularly cool from the first track. there's some mid sprinkled throughout what is a hefty album, but overall it's good flows, sick beats, cool samples. favorite song is Tribe Vibes or What "U" Waitin' "4"

Man kendrick lamar could never - I 've been impressed in the past by say tribe called quest or arrested development, but these guys were doing it earlier and I'd never even heard of them.

I enjoyed this! The samples and interludes were great, not one to listen to while doing much else but thoroughly enjoyable when paying attention.

Actually loving it this morning

This is like the kind of alt-hip hop akin Arrested Development would do in the next few years. I really like how it goes back to the genre's roots; lots of dancing, carefree vibes. This also reminded me of De La Soul, and I only learned today that the Jungle Brothers were part of the same collective as them!

A solid offering from hip hops golden era. Just looking at the guest performers on here. You got Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Queen Latifah, KRS One... This record is stacked. Tossed "Doin' Our Own Dang" onto the playlist.

Had to track this down on YouTube but it was worth it. Peak late 80's NYC hip hop.

Damn, there was so much great hip hop in the late 80s and throughout the 90s that I missed this one. Always knew the name, knew their features on others' records but this was good. Solid 4/5

Nice early rap/hip hop. Weve had better on this list but I enjoyed it.

It took a long time for me to finally decide on the review for this album. Not because it’s bad, I actually immediately liked it, but the problem was I couldn’t decide if it was a 5/5 or 4/5. The ultimate deciding factor was the sad reality that despite how solid and creative this album is, it’s held back by the fact that there’s no stand out track/tracks from the album. Like for example, an album that has the same quality level is 3 feet high and rising, both of these albums have the same level of creativity and fun, but what makes the de La sol a 5/5 is the fact that they have “me myself and I”, and “the magic number” which pushes that album into the the greatest rap albums of all time (my personal favorite) and the more you listen to it for those bigger tracks you really start to fall in love with ones you didn’t appreciate as much before like “Jennifer taught me”, “alittle bit of soap”, and “ghetto thang”. Honestly this album is great, it’s just one amazing hit track away from being a 5.

Wasn't on any streaming services, but I liked what I heard

This album is funky and fun, so why does every review here consist of puritanical pearl-clutching about gangsta rap? Grow up, nerds!

Po hitrem ošvrku wikija, me absolutno ne preseneča, da I fucking love it immediately. "Beyond This World" je bil hud, zj sm pri drugem komadu, "Feelin' Alright" k je isto a banger. Ne vem zakaj se nisem Jungle Brothers do zdaj še lotila, ker so tok adjacent zadevam k so mi kul, oziroma so vplival na cel kup muske, ki mi je že dolgo ljuba. Po drugi strani sm pa vesela, da še zmer odkrijem zase novo musko, k mi je takoj všeč. "What U Waitin' 4?" je zanimiv k zveni še bl odl school, kakor je. U, nevermind, to bo kr a thing na temu albumu očitno (s tem mislim predvsem komade s funk in house elementi). "Tribe Vibes" je hud. Pa "Doin' Our Own Dang", kjer so vključeni Q-Tip & De La Soul isto. Vmes mi je pikico dol padl, mogoč je ena ura mal dolgo za album.

My opinion hardly matters because I’m so clueless about hip-hop but I have to say I miss this “spitting” articulating rapping style now that everything seems to be slurry mumble drawl I dig this upbeat smart annunciation over the opiate flow that seems to be so popular now

I appreciate the surprising (to me at least) recurrent feminist themes.

Yes - we love the JBs. Foundational hip hop. Good add.

Had to find a playlist on YouTube and realized the tracklist played backwards by the time it was almost done. Still great.

Finally, an influential album that’s as good as the albums it influenced

At first I thought this was just another goofy old school hip hop album, but as the album went on the intricate, ahead of it's time production and heady lyrical themes made me appreciate it as a much more of an important and interesting album. It does feel a little, if they'd shaved 3 or 4 tracks off this would be a bonafide classic.

For late 80s hip hop, it actually was pretty good. The end of the album became a little bit of a slog, but overall I enjoyed it.

I didn’t know what to expect from this and was pleasantly surprised. I felt it almost went on a journey from a retrospective of 80s hip-hop to progressing to a more 90s sound by the end.

Good

I'm not gonna lie, I liked this much more than I was expecting; that's not saying much. Most of the tracks had a musical hook to them that I enjoyed. I also appreciate that, vocally, they aren't just yelling. They actually sound like they are trying to do something vocally as well as lyrically. Kudos to them for that. I'm not much of a rap fan, but the musical aspect kept me listening. It's too bad that 2 Live Crew were getting all the attention at the time that this came out.

a tribe called quest??!?!?

Despite having possibly the worst cover art (yet), this is a really well made album! Most beats are funky and catchy, and some songs feature rapping that transcends the stereotypical late 80's flow. Side one was my favorite, and it ends with an instrumental banger that caught me by surprise: Good Newz Comin'. Inevitably, the music is rather dated, as old school hip hop tends to be formulaic and samey, but it was a breath of fresh air in terms of lyrics and messages.

This was a good album from that golden age of hip-hop before gangsta rap dominated the scene. Groovy, funky and very danceable. The lyricism is great, and it's refreshing to hear some hip-hop that takes a more light-hearted stance. Some of the songs sound a little cheesy now, but maybe it's just where everybody got so jaded by the gangsta rap juggernaut. Wonder what would be different in the world today if this was the hip-hop subgenre that persisted? 4⭐️

4 Reviews Wikipedia It was just cool, relaxed hip hop. Would enjoy more if I had a few more listens of it. Particularly enjoyed when the riff to Raunchy was played somewhere in the mix. 4 stars.

Great hip hop that incorporates good messages. Very on the nose but good points raised about how history is covered in schools.

Really really good. Never heard a blend of jazz rap and house music like that. Sad it’s not on Spotify I had to listen on YouTube. It dragged a little towards the end but for this to be released in 1988, insane

Caused by God!

This is what I was hoping for more of from this list. Albums where the genre didn't even really exist yet, it if it did, underwent major transformation in the years following the release of the record. In this case, the genre of hip hop existed, but wasn't fully realized. This is a very great example of what the idea of a hip hop album was in the late 80's, the vast majority of the album was very eclectic. Great listen

Solid late 80's hip-hop. Loved their debut album. This one is almost as good.

This was a really interesting album. I have never heard of this band. The influence on later bands is very evident.

Enjoyed it

Fantastic record. Funky, fun and full of positive energy. I bet their live shows were even more fun. The record's creativity and sequencing is really well done and makes this album a breeze to listen to. The energy, cadence and lyrics are insightful and thoughtful and makes each story engaging. Really enjoyed this one. Long live JBs!

Funky

We all know Tribe or Black Sheep or De La...but these Native Tongues are right there.

I’m gonna assume this isn’t on Spotify for sample clearance issues, which is a damn shame because the sampling is one of the highlights. A strong start, a weak middle, then a shot in the arm with the one-two punch of “Tribe Vibes” into “J.Beez Comin Through” gives this thing such a firm ending. I’d think so highly of this album if it left out a few song in the middle before these. Other highlights include “Feelin Alright”, “What You Waiting 4”, and the closing song. Softest 4/5, though I will once again scream into the void for a more detailed rating system than just 5 stars

3,5

Funk rap house

Man I miss boom boom bap. Not as fun as De La Soul or as Revolutionary as Tribe- but still great.

Had to listen to it on YouTube, but 100% worth it, this is equal parts funky, natural and just fun.

Vibes boas pra fechar bem o ano. O disco foi feito antes do gangsta rap dominar inteiramente o gênero na década de 90, de certa forma a sonoridade acaba ficando menos datada que outros álbuns do mesmo período. A instrumentalização é agradável, otimista, animada e energética. Muitos samples legais aqui. As letras são positivas, sem a agressividade que permeou o gênero nos anos sucessores. Importante notar que esse disco antecedeu outros grupos que produziram sonoridades semelhantes, como Tribe ou De La. Há mérito nisso. Mas de qualquer modo, o disco possui defeitos típicos do gênero Rap nesse momento jovial. A duração é um problema, o disco é longo demais e acaba ficando entediante após um certo ponto. É o tipo de álbum que eu ouvi olhando a duração pra saber se faltava muito pra acabar. Não é uma escuta ruim nem desgastante. É um bom disco, mas com a curadoria certa poderia ter sido melhor. 4/5

TBH based on the group name and fact that it was not available on spotify I thought this might be some grimy UK electro. Instead I'm met with a new (to me) old school hip-hop trio that apparently ran in the same circle with De La Soul and ATCQ. This was an all around enjoyable listen. While early hip-hop can feel a little dated in the beat styling and delivery (this no exception) these guys flowed well, had solid variety, and pulled in good support. For me the highlights that I caught were Feelin' Alright, Belly Dancin' Diva, Beeds on a String, and Tribe Vibes (love this beat). Also really enjoyed the vibey instrumental in the middle, but didn't take note of its name. 4 / 5.

As a teen, the Native Tongues were on regular rotation for me, which was weird as a goofy spotty white kid from Devon. De La Soul? Fuck yes. A Tribe Called Quest? oh my days yes please, Black Sheep? Go on then, take that. Jungle Brothers? Oh, yeah sure, okay, but maybe we put on De La or Tribe or Black Sheep perhaps. Sadly, always a bit of the third or fourth wheel of a set of options. I owned the album, it was their best album, I liked it, but it got very little rotation because there was so much else that was similar and better. I'm going to give it a 4 as it made me think of so much other greatness and I still enjoyed the listen through.

Lot of funky beats here that make the whole thing seem pretty cool. Good usage of a variety of samples. Fun time overall. Favorites were Feelin’ Alright, Good Newz Comin’, J Beez Comin’ Through, and Doin’ Our Own Dang.

C'était rigolo tout ça.

some cool beats, some annoying ones; some awesome lyrics, some questionable ones. pretty uneven, by and large, but Good Newz Comin' is an absolute banger

Wow! What a great album!! I can’t believe I didn’t get to hear this when it came out in 1989. I probably would have played this a lot back then. Everything about this record is so great; the raps, the scratching, and the production of all those sounds on the backing tracks. Their sense of humour also adds to the upbeatness of it all. I live for days like this with this project when I can have a great listen and discovery of an album I had not heard yet.

Noen dager e det bare helt feil album på helt feil tidspunkt, og det her va et av dem. Det va absolutt ingenting galt med det, men det va absolutt ikke det æ ville høre på mens æ bedreiv julegavehandling i pissregn (akkurat da vil man vel ikke høre anna enn en værmelding som sier at det bedre sæ uansett), så æ satte på ingen måte særlig pris på det, særlig fordi det også framsto såpass sketsjbasert, og det e i utgangspunktet ikke en type rap æ e veldig fan av. Men en anna dag en anna gang hadde det nok truffet helt ok.

This album was just a lot of fun. A little history and politics added to the fun. Proper.

Another awesome old school hip hop album. This is 3.5 stars.

3.5/5

Native tounges-kollektivet og alle deres etterkommere har nok laget det meste av hiphop-musikken jeg liker best. Jungle Brothers har jeg dessverre neglisjert. Noe som selvfølgelig er synd, ettersom Done by the Forces of Nature er helt der oppe med det beste av De La Soul. Her slipper man til gjengjeld så mange skits også. Gode samples (den er listig den Black Sabbath-samplen på "Beeds on a String"), catchy melodier og good vibes. Eneste trekket jeg har er at lufta går litt ut mot slutten av plata. Merker jeg ofte kritiserer plater for å være for lange, men her kunne de hatt gode fillers til neste plate. Bare sier det.

Nice! These guys inspired so much of my favorite music. This was a great listen, shows its age in places but still a great hip-hop record. Favorite Tracks- “Feelin Alright” “J Beez Comjn” “Doin Our Own Dang”

Here for this. Nice beats, nice rhymes. Not going to be spinning it all the time, but nice to add to the rotation. A bit long, but that's alright.

I like the vibe of this quite a lot. Great Beats. It goes on for a tad long maybe. Specific rating - 4.2 Fav song - sunshine Least fav- black woman

Feels like they were having fun making this album! Good beats and fun lyrics, just a really joyful listening experience. Never heard of these guys before and am very happy to have heard this album. Tiny bit too long/repetitive but still overall a good album experience. Favourite song: What "U" Waitin' "4" Least: Belly Dancin' Dina

Pese a ser mega fan de De La Soul y Tribe Called Quest, nunca me había escuchado ningún disco de Jungle Brothers, pese a que sabía que su Straight Out The Jungle había sido el primer disco del movimiento Native Tongues, que fue básicamente God’s gift to Earth. En fin, buen disco en esa onda, buenos temas y el mejor de los mensajes. Hay un tema instrumental hacia el final que va saltando de sample en sample y es una barbaridad que no me esperaba. Me sorprendió la etiqueta de hip house en rym pero luego sí que es verdad que las bases de un par de temas tiran hacia ese rollito. Buen momento para ponerme un clásico que sabía que me iba a gustar y que tendré que seguir disfrutando.

Parliament references?????

Loved this

What a fun time! Old school hip-hop, fat bass, funky samples, good lyrics too! I'd never actually encountered these guys until today, and this was a time and a half. Was also interested to find out these guys preceded A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul by a couple of years. I think it falls a little short of being a five for me, but really enjoyable listen and one I think I'll be spending some more time with.

This isn't on Spotify but I'm listening to one of the tracks on YouTube. Pretty cool! I like this old 80s rap sound What U Waitin 4 is pretty viby. This was actually pretty cool man, 4 stars.

Low/mid 4, super solid record

What a beautiful mystery. We did not know it and so thankful we do now. Right on.

In some ways dated, in other ways current. Great samples, though they don't do too much with them, especially when compared with the pretty exhaustive sample work on De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising, which came out the same year. The flow is pretty standard 80s, though not so great when compared with De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising, which came out the same year. The album as a whole is just OK - overstays its welcome juuust a touch unlike De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising, which came out the same year. Mercifully, it doesn't feature any skits, unlike De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising, which came out the same year. Not good enough to be great, but not bad. Lost to the sands of time as anything but an artifact because, looking back, not a single part got stuck in my skull. It does feel pretty forward looking, but maybe not as much as De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising, which came out the same year. I gave Digital Underground a 3, though, so I can't do this one dirty by doing the same. I think I'm overrating this rap albums. Regardless, it doesn't measure up to De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising, which came out the same year.

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.

This album was sick, it feels like the genesis of jazz rap and was the obvious inspiration behind tribe and de la soul and I'd never heard of it before. Enjoyed it front to back.

Cheesy like a stinkin bishop and twice as funky. It's like a "Where's Wally" of samples too - Free Bird, Hooked on a Feeling, and no doubt a ton more I missed. Its just so damn dated.

80

Good vibes on this one. Solid 4 Stars.

This was fun and flowes really well.

Utterly top notch, very fun album

Fun old school hip hop in the De La Soul vibe.

Not on Spotify in the US. That said, it's a pretty good rap album. It has all-around chill and funky vibes that provide a stark contrast to most rap.

Easy

Loved this—just wonderful funk-based, conscious hiphop. 1989 is early for this, too, so I have to assume they are foundational to this strain of hiphop. I can’t believe I haven’t heard them before. JB’s! High 4

This album is groovin with the beats rhythms with good lyricism. Easy listening chill album or even to get the party started.

I enjoyed this pretty well! They were funkin

Now this is a flavor of east coast hiphop that I can really get down with. Absolutely immaculate production on these beats. It's funny, I found them to have a similar sound to Tribe Called Quest, and I kept being thrown off by the De La Soul references without any Plugs appearing. Turns out they were all part of the same collective, which is a delightful discovery and makes total sense! What I don’t get is why the Jungle Brothers never ended up as widely celebrated as Tribe or De La Soul. The quality here is absolutely on par, and it feels like they deserve just as much recognition. A fantastic record. Standouts: What "U" Waitin "4"? • Acknowledge Your Own History • Belly Dancin' Dina • Good Newz Comin' • Tribe Vibez • J. Beez Comin' Through • Doin' Our Own Thang

Great album. This is not the type of album I usually enjoy (I do not like East Coast hip hop pre-Illmatic) but this was awesome. The sampling is incredible and I love the political conscious stuff and female contribution. What a hidden gem.

Masters of their genre. Great album

Delicious hip hop. Never heard this album before. So groovy and funky smooth. Loved it.

Perfect

Hieno matka hiphopin alkulähteille jossa New Yorkin tiedostava rap alkoi saada ääntä.

Fun, funky, thoughtful. The kind of album you can listen and understand the lyrics quite easily. Not that I found them relatable but thats no fault of the artist . Great mixture of genres and samples. Really well produced. An enjoyable listen. 7 5/10

Started off a little slow but once it gets going this album packs a bunch. Social conscious rhymes and interesting beats. One of the best early posse cuts I’ve heard so far. In a similar vein to Tribe.

Never heard of or at least not much from these guys. Definitely fits in with the happy positive hip-hop of the late 80s early 90s. Along with De la Soul and A Tribe Called Quest its good stuff. Would have listened before if it was on Apple music but that's not much of an excuse. Will check out some of their other stuff on there.

As funky as it is hip-hoppy. As other reviews have noted, it would be a very different world where this uplifting vibe was the dominant force for that particular genre. But, once again, this project has helped deliver by shining a light on an artist / genre that had completely passed me by and would have been unlikely to appear on my radar.

Never before have I been so hyped up about Africa. A very vague continent, it seems. Contains no countries, but it's a good one. Album was fun!

Conscious and funky, a little different than what most remember from the "golden age" of hip-hop. This album is more house-oriented in its production too, featuring a plethora of fitting samples and maintaining a pretty consistent, dance-able energy all throughout. I was vaguely familiar with the Jungle Brothers going in, but was still impressed afterwards. "Doin' Our Own Dang" might be recognizable by most too. I mean, check out the guest artists on this track: De La Soul, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah, and Monie Love? Talk about stacked! I don't think this group gets enough flowers for how influential they were in curating the "hip-house", jazz rap sound and overall positive-minded lyricism that briefly swept through hip-hop in the late 80s/early 90s.

This was actually a really fun late 80s hip-hop album, especially considering how much of this era hasn’t aged all that well for me. But this one still holds up. I’ve known about Jungle Brothers for a long time because of the track they did with house producer Todd Terry, I’ll House You, and it’s cool to hear that connection reflected in this album. Overall, this feels like conscious hip-hop before conscious hip-hop was really a thing. They have a clever way of flipping samples in a way that makes the music feel grounded and relatable, and they even flirt with house music on a track or two, something they’ve continued to explore throughout their career.

such a shame this album isn't on spotify. i rlly liked the vibe of this. 8/10

It was cool!

I had never heard of Jungle Brothers. I was expecting not to like this, but I really enjoyed this. Good old school hip hop with good beats and samples. I’ve discovered through this that I like hip hop a lot more than I thought I did.

Fun and vibey throughout, and some great samples

Really good sampling, nice lyrics and guest appearances. Good album.

This was fun. I liked hearing some of the samples that were either from this or from other bands pulling in these sounds.

I like this a lot but it's not quite at the same level as ATCQ or De La Soul. "Good Newz Comin'" was a jam. "Doin' Our Own Dang" was the best track on the album, but the collabs on that track highlights how important the contributions of De La Soul, Q-Tip and others were. A strong four.

This was Beyond This World. Something that could only be Done By The Forces Of Nature.

Sweet grooves of pan African lyrics and hip hop beats that set this up as original and inspired

not available in apple music

A founding father of hip hop, a good variety of beats and styles throughout the album. Production value and overall audio quality feels a little low, probably a result of it's time. But I must say I did enjoy the first play through.

Original vibes, pre-sample sounds, cool time capsule

I had no idea what to expect going into this one, I like 80s/90s hip hop, but I’m no expert. This was very enjoyable, I have heard the influence of this album in quite a few later works by other artists. I’ll have to revisit and explore more of their stuff.

Incredibly fun album

Interesting album! Rap flow reminds me of mix between early NWA and Run DMC. This feels like a bit fresher than at least the latter, though. It has a lot of groovy bass lines that might as well be found in some disco music. Feels like a quite synth heavy sound there, with perhaps less samples than some other rap groups. Overall all I enjoyed this. Stood out enough from other rap groups to be interesting and it held up throughout the record.

Catchy rhythm, no foul language, very percussive, jazzy! Great job!

Enjoyed this album, much like I enjoy other early-era hiphop. Wish this was on Spotify, I would dig a bit deeper than my YouTube listen. Still, prefer this to the angrier gangster rap that seems to be more popular, 3.5/5

Phat beats from another time

Though this album is packed, every track finds it's place. One of the few hip hop albums I found myself actively following along lyrically. The range of influence permeates throughout, easily one of the more worldly inspired rap albums I've ever heard. The kind of album that embodies it's "golden age of hip-hop" designation. 4 stars as the mixing is a bit all over the place? Maybe an issue with the album digitization/transfer to streaming.

Never heard of this band before. Beyond this World is great! Also love Feelin' Alright! This album really is a force of nature. Tune after tune! Album is a happy, upbeat type album. Very catchy.

4/5

Buen álbum de hip hop, con algunas tonadas muy chill y otras para sentirse muy gangsta, y un par de sampleos por ahí que me sorprendieron bastante. Buena hora de un género que no suelo consumir y que me la hizo pasar muy bien.

They "R" really cool!

Good

I love the instrumentals. It’s a very diverse palette of sample they used and that’s awesome. The rap part was also not bad but I still don’t like rap.

En 15-20 minutters dip i midten der det føles som om albumet mister litt retning og låtene er litt så som så, men både starten og slutten har de mye bra å komme med

I've been a De La Soul and Tribe fan for a while now. I can't believe I never tried the rest of the Native Tongues collective. Really need to listen to the rest of it. I'm a big rollerblader and this is 100% the right blend of educational lyrics with a long list of traditionally black music influences. There's jazz & scat singing (Ella Fitzgerald), funk (James Brown), Afro-chanting, with an eclectic number of sampling within the record. Its a tour de force celebrating Afro-centrism and Black American culture.

Good stuff

This is a bold choice in that I feel like the J-Beez are overlooked yet were really the first out of the gate of the Native Tongues collective and were pretty innovative. They brought an Afrocentric perspective that was simultaneously affirming, humorous and intellectual, they expanded the palette of sampling to jazz and even Latin music (as on "Good Newz Comin'") and it is funky. This album absolutely holds up.

It seems I only like hip hop recorded prior to 1992. I'm okay with that.

47/1001. This name didn't really say too much beforehand. Perhaps should take a closer look. Tight stuff and good grooves, filling what ever missing links there might have been between funk and hip-hop. Towards the end of the album it got a bit repetitive for mw, and when the album started over it was clearly time to move on. But still a powerful bash of music.

No es mi estilo pero me gusto

The lean beats, direct flows and generally upbeat, Afro-centric tone make for a direct link to the early days of hip-hop, while looking forward, too. Plus, one's fully down with any record that references both Billy Squier and P-Funk. "Good Newz Comin" is best cut, which suggests they might have experimented a bit more freely and expanded the musical palette a a bit. It might not be Three Feet High and Risin' but it's in the same 'hood (obvi), which is/was a good place to be.

really fun album, didn't finish it this time, but will definitely return to it

I think the late 80's era was probably my favorite for rap/hip-hop. This was right up my ally with great samples, so solid turn table work, quality lyrics and just fun to listen to all the way through. Very reminiscent of Tribe Called Quest. Evolutionary, not revolutionary, but a solid listen.

Loveable, but it makes me uncomfortable to think that this is what cranky old white men wish hip-hop was.

Dope

Welcome to the Jungle, we got forces and nature

Old school hip hop meets early techno? Yes please

Very cool and funky beats. Will definitely listen to again as this is my kind of music and I wasn't familiar with Jungle Brothers. This is what this project is for.

I really like this one and will have to add it to a more regular rotation. The lyrics, the production and the overall positivity from this albums is just amazing. I wish this was available to stream, so I could listen more often.

Proud album. Awesome, incredible.

Nice gem! 3.5/5

Just when I think I'm over Hip-Hop, something like this comes up and really surprises me. It is crazy that nobody really talks about this album because it is way ahead of it's time. This holds up so much better than other records. If this was on Spotify, it would enter heavy rotation.

Classic old-school with funky samples from a time when hip hop was about shakin' it, and not all your past and future crimes.

Smooth listening for a nice sunny day

Groovy, certainly experimental for the time and I really liked the house and Jazz influences

Not bad for an album that's not even on Spotify

Awh, this is the sweetest, chillest hip-hop funk / jazz I've heard in a while. I'm sad that this ethos of hip hop seemed to just die outright after the 80s. Other commenters mentioned that gangsta hip hop just dominated so hard that softer, more joyful styles just outright died from lack of attention. So sad! I like all of this, from the upbeat beats, the vigor behind the vocals, the little flourishes of gospel and scatting to break up otherwise very similar rap flows. My gripe for music of this era (and generally, rap albums) is that you can have great flow and stellar beats but still have all the tracks sound same-y without putting a lot of thought into arrangements. While I like Jungle Brothers sound a lot, I do struggle to distinguish different songs on this album. Shout out to Sunshine for its interesting break style beat. And also for the heavily sampled section, everybody's got a little light under the sun! Under the sun! (Listen to Snoop's Doggystyle if you want to hear the dirtier take on this). "Do what you want / but move every muscle" and the grooviest beat on What U Waitin For? right afterwards. Another solid track with a good flow and tension between bassline and synth. AND they sample Parliament? Love. Great album, stellar flows, conscious lyrics, interesting blend of hip hop jazz gospel and funk. I'm glad I heard it. Not sure that this is a listen-before-death level album but I will have it on repeat for a while. Four stars because I really enjoyed the ride.

Keep on dancing. KEEP ON DANCING. Keep on dancing. KEEP ON DANCING.

Classic 80s hip-hop. Favourite tracks: "U" Make Me Sweat, Tribe Vibes, J. Beez Comin' Through (sick piano sample), Black Woman.

This is a solid hip-hop album, with good vibes, good samples (and/or goofy ones; Hooked on a Feeling? come on), some house and jazz bits here and there. Many note the contrast with gansta rap, and at first that might be a critic I actually had: gangsta rap, with all its flaws, is also depicting a social reality, that is less present here. But there are songs as Acknowledge Your Own History, making it more than just a fun and light album.

Charismatic funky rap is my favourite type of hip hop

Pretty good.

Good flows and good beats.

This was so fun I love you golden age of hip hop

Some decent 90s golden age hip hop, nice that it samples parliament but I would still prefer to just listen to parliament. Good though we enjoyed it and being from 1989 if feels a little ahead of it's time with the complexity of some of the beats..

GOOD late 80s/early 90s hiphop, without looking it up i assume this album was among the pioneers of sampling. beats are equalized in a pleasant way

Приятно удивлен. Пока это лучший по моему мнению ранний хип-хоп альбом из тех, что мне попадались в списке. Звучит бомбически; охуенные тексты без всего этого позорного шок-контента ради шок-контента; вайб. Супер недооцененный альбом. Лучшая песня - Black Woman.

This is a pretty cool album. The flow does feel a tad old school at times, but I think the overall sound is pretty fresh. It brings in a lot of elements of house/dance music, so you get something that's quite a bit funkier than their contemporaries, including the other Native Tongues acts. They were also pretty pioneering in the world of positive, Afrocentric lyrics. I don't think it's quite to the level of De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest (both of whom appear on this album), but overall, it's a really good album that's deservedly held in high regard in the hip-hop world. Highlights for me are "Beyond this World", "Feelin' Alright", "What U Waitin' 4" and "Doin' Our Own Dang". 4 Stars.

It was a good listen to what rap was before gangster rap blew up. Not my cup of tea, but it was good.

some good jazz rap

I didn't recognize the band name. The first track reminded me. This was the short years when rap was lighter and on the radio, dance parties popping up because someone had a tape. I had so many tapes from this era. Somehow I didn't have this one. As a young man figuring out life around the time this came out it works for me today. It hits the same spot De La Soul does. It's a great album for the older generation, I'm not sure how well it holds up to the younger folks.

Kind find this streaming (on Spotify at least) but I remember listening to this a year or so ago and really liking it. Acknowledge Your Own History was one of the tracks I remember going back to a lot.

Surprisingly enjoyable! I've never heard of these guys and the cover is something else! Can feel the funk in a lot of the songs, I feel like there were good and not so good songs - but honestly, enjoyable!

Have had this on in the car for past few weeks and its been a very enjoyable (and surprisingly funky) old school listen. Particularly enjoyed the lack of skits getting in the way of the tracks. No real stand out tracks (but a consistent level of goodness) means its a 4 not a 5.

The album sounds retro as opposed to dated - modern but with an old school feel. The samples, primarily from 74/75 give a vintage feel, carrying afrocentric and socially conscious lyrics. A fair bit of it has an earlier rap feel with rapping over a beat and I like those less. Where the samples form a repeating groove ('Doin' Our Own Dang', 'What U Waiting For', 'Good Newz Comin'', the title track) the results are great.

Unfortunately this was not on Spotify but is available on youtube. This album was great and the lack of skits was refreshing for a hip-hop record from this era. Solid hour of solid hip-hop

Eerder schreef ik al over mijn waardering van de de meer relaxte rap in tijden dat alles rauw was. Van Tribe Called Quest en De La Soul mochten we al genieten. Zij kunnen niet zonder de Jungle Brothers genoemd worden. De JB's waren niet alleen eerder. Ze boden ook met Black is Black de kennismaking met Q-Tip. En een stijl die wel heel veel weg heeft van De La Soul. Op dat zelfde album stond I'll House You, wat volgens mij de eerste wereldoverende rap-house hit was en een tweede hit Because I Got it Like That. Tot slot geven ze een lesje sampelen met een ziel met bijvoorbeeld On the Run. En je raadt het al. Het wijze comité heeft voor dit voor de hand liggende debutalbum juist weer niet gekozen....Maar voor het tweede album. Nou, dat is ook wel leuk. ...

I enjoyed this but wasn't bowled over by it. Am sure it sounded more radical at the time, and as a whole, it's quite long, but flows well throughout. Great to hear a hip hop album that isn't all about guns and ammo or endless 'conquests'. Uplifting.

A decent example of what hip hop was doing outside of gansta rap

These beats and production is so fresh after all these years. Hip hop is one of my weaknesses so records like these are so fun to listen to.

Super fun album, reminded me at times of MF Doom. Liked it a lot

Tidig hiphop, bra gung!

descending from the golden age of hip hop with crips beats and loops without having to rely on agressive sampling or electronic noise that is prevelant today. 4/5

Pretty good

Still super fresh sounding after all these years - a solid hip hop record that stands out from the time in the sense that it's purely about regular life stuff, rather than all gangster hip hop that was occurring at the time. It's a bit naff sometimes lyrically and thematically, but it's still a solid and interesting album.

You see some listen but still don't hear Some seem far but are real near I climb a mountain to reach a kingdom And if they're willing sure I'll bring them Think to the needy and then to the greedy Rely on the heaven and earth to feed me Move to the motions of the moon Take out your shades cause the sun comes soon To plan my day I look at the sky I see rain and I still ask why Broke the airwaves, trying to make waves Finally came through but came in mono Frequencies I kept on fighting Satelliting what I was writing Three years, finally got through Came through in stereo So hello everybody and how ya'll doing We gonna say a few words and keep on stepping People watching to see what we would do Live on air you heard us say to you The city's a jungle 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 our problems We order ya'll to dance Good album. We honestly should have more like this on this list. Has a couple of weak spots but overall very good album. 4/5

This is really fun. Nice, easy to enjoy hip hop. Interesting, different, good mixing, good flow. Some decent party tracks, too. Nothing to complain about. 4/5

a document from a beautiful moment that seems like an alternate dimension now. the posse cut here is much better than the single version. but what good is a posse if they don't stop you from rapping lines like "her breast provides the nutrition for growth"

Good mix of musical styles

This was great, and kept getting more poignant and enjoyable as the album went on. Rating: 4.0

I used to listen to a lot of De La Soul and they were also talking about Jungle Brothers, but I never bothered to listen. Back then, it was a lot harder to listen to new music, so it's kind of understandable, but now I'm regretting it because this is pretty great. Don't think it reaches the levels that De La Soul did, but still a cool sound.

Perfect!

Nice one

Vibes

quite good, fun to hear songs I've only heard sampled or referenced

Listened Before? N What a great late 80's hip-hop album! This seems to be pretty in-line with the style at the time. Maybe less serious than something like, say, Public Enemy... but the same feel in the main grooves. Subject matter is less revolutionary and more fun-loving. I really enjoyed this record. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: "U" Make Me Sweat, Doin' Our Own Dang

We’ve had Tribe, we just had Jungle Brothers. Now bring on the De La, the Brand Nubian and Queen Latifah and we’ve heard all Native Tongue members Good classic hip hop, if you like de la soul and tribe, you should enjoy this Good samples too, funkadelic, Hendrix and even some sabbath

REALLY enjoyed this. I LOVE older school 'rap' what I consider the real hip-hop compared to a lot of the crap that's out there now. I hate most of the new stuff. I love the older feel of just in your face awesome beats and just raw rough voices 'truly' rapping. This is all of that. I go back to my hilarious grade school days of walking around listening to Grandmaster Flash, Furious Five and Mel and Mel and Newcleus lmao. I LOVED this stuff. While this is slightly later in time and has taken the turn of a bit better produced and sounding like Tribe, it still has that raw feeling and just awesome vocals/lyrics I enjoyed as a kid. I had lost touch with this genre after I went rock in later gradeschool and picked up a guitar. But mid gradeschool we had the large what we called "ghetto blasters" (not politically correct now lol) we'd carry around with music like this jamming. and actually walked around like we could break dance on cardboard squares and it got us truly interested in this whole new world of music. Yep. I admit it. We were ridiculous white burb boys that wanted to be ghetto break dancers. It was absolutely pathetic and great at the same time lol. Listened to it on the way to work and finished at work, didn't note out any specific tracks, but enjoyed the whole thing. Just awesome old-school hip-hop which I always have a soft spot for. Just solid and great. I'd totally listen to this again.

This was awesome! I thought being able to hear the old inspirations of MC’s from the early beginnings of hip hop being morphed in with the new sound that was going to come out of the 90’s was awesome! There were a few songs throughout the album where I felt like I was listening to the Sugarhill Gang, listening to that undeniable flow of an MC. Then all of sudden I’d find myself listening to Tribe and next a mix of the two. I really enjoyed this album and have a great time listening it.

Solid, fun.

This is great. The wiki references this as a "golden age hip hop" album and i fully agree.

A pretty good hip hop album, if that's your thing

this album slaps. honestly, i love the beats, the lyrics, and everything about it. to me, this is a quintessential underground hip hop album. its cool, its funky, its fresh, and it so freakin smooth. i honestly dont think I would dip into this one again as much as other five stars, hence the drop to a four but was definitely close to giving this a five.