Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump [PA] - De La Soul (CD 2000)

De La Soul have always been innovators. From their very first album, 3 Feet High and Rising, the trio consisting of rappers Posdnuos and Trugoy, and deejay Maseo, has been redefining Hip-Hop music. Thanks to their use of inventive sampling, eclectic music, off-the-wall skits, and proficient rhyming ability, Rap went through some serious changes back in the early 1990 s. It hasn t been the same since. Over 10 years later, it appears that they re trying to change the game again. With their new Art Official Intelligence series, the trio strives to create one of the first meaningful album...

De La Soul is a group that needs no introduction. For about 15 years now, the trio of Pos, Trugoy, and Maseo have been crafting an alternative hip-hop style, much unlike what was being played at the time. Throughout the 90s, when the east got lyrical and the west got gangsta, De La Soul continued to craft their laid-back, energetic, danceable tunes and never once delivered a bad album. De La is hip-hop's answer to Pink Floyd: eclectic and fun music which you can listen to while overdosing on some kind of drug, although I do not encourage it. In 2000, De La Soul decided to begin a trilogy...

After a four year absence De La Soul is back. Their latest installment Art Official Intelligence: Mosiac Thump shows them in an older more mature light. The court jesters of Hip Hop have traded in their clown suits for a more laid back approach. You can't deny the change in De La Soul with the loss of Prince Paul--the producer who helped them aquire their fun lovin goofy style that made them famous. When Prince Paul first left De La I held my breath to see what was in store for the three MC's who were changing the world with love. But there is nothing to worry about, the latest album simply...

DeLaSoul has remained one of the best rap groups ever. With solid albums beginning with "Three Feet High and Rising" to the critically acclaimed commercially unsuccessful "Stakes is High" they've shown that you do not have to be a follower to make great albums. With this in mind I expected nothing less than genius from their three album good-bye to the industry with the first volume entitled Art Official Intelligence:Mosaic Thump. AOI is a good album but subpar to a standard that DeLa set themselves. What holds the album back is weak production and poor construction of the songs themselves...