Album Details

• Artist: Jurassic 5
• EP:
Jurassic 5 Ep
• Label: Interscope
• Year of Release: 1997
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: hstisgod on 2007-03-28

Somewhere between Jazz, Rap, Rock and Breakbeats sits Hip Hop.  Leading that revolution since 1992 has been Hollywood proud Jurassic 5.  A mere review of their entire catalogue couldn't repay these guys for all the  artist integrity and enhancement they've given the industry for over 15 years.  From classy song writing and vocal harmonies to unbelievably unique cut beats and sampling, J5's catalogue will out live any Hip Hop imposter's from the past, present or future.  Fifty years from now they'll go to dig up the blueprints of Hip Hop near the turn of the century, and J5 will be at the top of the list.  EP is the beginning of that time line.

Let's get to the heart of their diversity, track three Jayou which features a flute hook and beat.  Phenomenally mixed in, but no difference than any other song they've ever recorded, vocal harmonies are the key to their creative energy. 

The lead track, In The Flesh very much like the rest of J5's stuff, features a mixture of an acoustic strings, bass and a fresh beat. All playful, teasing like rhythms are literally the blueprints of both Dj's Cut Chemist and Nu-Mark.  Track two is a title you may recognize from their second mainstream America release, Quality Control Part 2.  More so just a shot intermission that begins a history of Hollywood props for these guys.  Sooner or later you'll get the idea, these guys are proud of their Los Angeles surroundings.

Track three Jayou is the track you play for the J5 unknowing.  Featuring a flute hook, and strength of vocal harmonies, without this track, I don't believe J5 would have opened as many diverse ears as they did with this release.  Lyrically, J5 is known for their tendency to slow down or speed up a song with a little Hip Hop alphabetical lesson.  Simple and to the point, it help create a resilient beat.

We be the crew, guess who, the Jayou
R-A-double-S, I-C, we're
in the place to be, it don't stop
We got the rhythm that makes your fingers
snap, crackle, pop pop, fizz fizz

Lesson 6:The Lecture is exactly as it sounds, an education mixture of sounds, distortion and beats from genres all over the history of music.  Breakbeats flow through while voice samples are cocky in regards to the sound playing, mentioning influences such as Led Zeppelin and Frank Sinatra while both Chemist and Nu-Mark reign over the Hip Hop genre. Further into the track, a scratch contest returns to the original xylophone like beat that introduced the track to begin with.  Not once do you hear any of the four lyricists, and yet the album still rolls nicely.

So now its time to choose my favorite cut, Concrete Schoolyard.  Equally beat-tricked, and lyrical entertainment.  Taking chances at each lyrical verse, each member takes a turn until the fifth line when vocal harmony becomes the science.  Take the intro lyrics for instance;

Now I'm a say this one time boy and that's my word
We rockin shots and not fire through the Hindenburg
The contribution is clear
You add water to bone
And get the Jurassic 5 on the microphone

After another intermission is the final full-length track Action Satisfaction which makes an audio appearance on the previously mentioned and more mainstream Quality Control, speaks heavy truths.

You say you want action satisfaction
The brothers with the positive reaction
The crew with style that's on top of the pile
J5's gonna rock a long long while

More like the teamwork of four wordsmiths, and two record guru's digging the path, Jurassic 5 is the epitome of harmony and respectable Hip Hop entertainment.  Why buy Rap, when Hip Hop is available for your diversified listening pleasures.

Finally broken up, according to recent reports, these lyrics proved to be a strong bond.  J5 would go on from this short and sweet release to school many close minded listeners about the diversity in Hip Hop and how it should NEVER be misconstrued with the narrow halls of Rap.

Lyricists:
Chali 2na, Akil, Zaakir aka Soup, Mark 7even

DJ's:
Cut Chemist, Nu-Mark

User Reviews and Comments