WU-TANG CLAN Enter The Wu-Tang 36 Chambers

Always on point. This album is all about synergy. Each member of the Clan is hype enough for his own solo release. Combining all that verbal talent with the RZA's revolutionary production style causes the rugged brilliance of the Clan to explode exponentially. This was the hip hop sure-shot heard around the world, that signalled the beginning of the hip hop style revolution that would come into full effect in 1994.

FREESTYLE FELLOWSHIP Innercity Griots

Who would have thought that hip hop's first great virtuosos would emerge from South Central Los Angeles? Echoing the spirit of jazz horn players, and expanding upon the stylistic foundation of freestyle battles. Methods previously unexplored were pioneered by the Fellowship. Only Pharoahe Monch stands as a comparable figure of the time. Speeding up and slowing down,..._ repetition.. .. .. stustuttering,, , volume-)))+ sta sta sta cat to, falsetto. goinggoinggoingwaytofast... and well, basically... every method. Throughout the album, subject matter often becomes secondary to the purely musical qualities of the vocal delivery. But tracks such as "Inner City Boundaries" and "Park Bench People" give a stark contrast to the superficiality of gangsta rap. And "Heavyweights", with its spastic, dancehallish beat, is a West Coast upstage of posse-cut classic "Live At The Barbeque". Though it is the jazzier productions on which the crew shine brightest. Balancing the need for freestyle expression with the need for a strong message. It is a balance that defines hip hop vocals. Too bad most MCs either have nothing to say, or just want to brag and bullshit. Freestyle Fellowship has got a lot of good stuff to say. And the acapella and "role call" style vocal segments throughout the entire album showcase a stunning command of the full spectrum of vocal delivery: soloing, acapellas, choruses, and of course... going off the top. Freestyle Fellowship show what can be accomplished with a total dedication to the vocal craft.

DE LA SOUL Buhloone Mind State

The last De La Soul album produced by Prince Paul is the swan song of a truly great MC/DJ team. Though the following Stakes Is High maintained a high caliber of production, Buhloone indulges a playfulness that has been chased away by all the hard heads leading hip-hop. Proof of this album's total independence can be found in guest MCs, SDP and Takagi San (from Japan); the hilarious self-conscious sample: "We see the big picture: negroes and white folks... buying this album."; and the collaboration with Maceo Parker on "i BE blowin'".

SOULS OF MISCHIEF 93 'til Infinity

A classic album out of East Oakland that was heartily embraced by hip hop fans nationwide. Along with the rest of their Hieroglyphics crew, the Souls took the viruosity of groups like Organized Konfusion, the Pharcyde, and Freestyle Fellowship and added some East "O" flavor. Though almost always on the battle-rhyme tip... Opio, Tajai, A-Plus, Phesto show a considerably more personal side on the anthemic title track. If you want to explore the roots of California's lyrical avant garde... this is an album you must have.

THE COUP Kill My Landlord

Giving mad "shots-out" to prominent political figures like Bill Clinton, George Bush, and Pete Wilson... this is hip hop music with a message (Revolution Now!). Get ready for the Mau Mau with Boots, E Roc, and Pam the Funkstress. Straight from Oakland, California.

KRS-ONE Return of the Boom Bap