Customer Reviews

Jurassic 5

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Hip-hop, though always a dynamic force in music, has, until recently, been on a sort of downward spiral due to the watering down of creativity by the likes of Sean Combs, Tupac Shakur, and other money hungry sorts (you know who I'm talking about.) Many, myself included, were turned off of hip-hop because of its steady seat in the mainstream music world. Mid to late nineties hip-hop brought about dreadful results, and though the underground still flourished, the west coast had no true heros of the underground. Or so we thought... Jurassic 5 have literally re-invented west-coast hip-hop. Melding old-school hip-hop rhymes with beats and samples courtesy of Cut Chemist's extensive rare-groove, funk, and instructional records collection, this band has created a sound unique to them, while smoothly paying homage to their influences. This EP is perhaps the best hip-hop record in recent memory, as it not only demonstrates their intensely rich vocal skills, but also has opened people's minds to a more authentic sounding style of hip-hop. Jurassic 5 are original and honest, which makes them somewhat of an anomaly in the rap game. This EP and the 12" "improvise" are two of my favorites in my hip-hop collection, so do yourself a favor and open your ears and mind to them.

Jurassic 5 is a breath of fresh air. The self-acclaimed old school hip-hop revivalists is something to watch out for in the future. Already with a strong and dedicated fan base, their debut self-titled EP is the foundation of global support. Anyone remotely framiliar with the whole hip-hop DJ scene will instantly recognize Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark, J-5's beat producers. "Concrete Playground," easily in my five all-time favorite hip-hop songs, is their ode to the old school. Coming with tight rhymes incorporated by dope beats, this track is easily a classic. The rest of the album is by all means completely supplemental to "Concrete Playground." Everything ranging from funny skits to Cut Chemist's scratch tutorial, you won't be disappointed. In final, if you are disgruntled with the state of mainstream rap, refresh yourself with Jurassic 5's EP.

Attention all REAL HIP HOP fans! J5 has come from the underground to save you from the noise of puff daddy, the family, no limit, and all the rest of the main stream B.S. that makes you want to vomit. If you like phat,ORIGINAL, beats and a crew that can rhyme better than Mother Goose, check out Cut Chemist, Chali 2na, Zaakir, Marc 7even, Akil, and DJ numark- JURASSIC-5.

This CD is hip-hop classic. I mean, this is a fresh EP that has tracks that rival and in some case better some of the best hip-hop out there, and it sh*ts all over any LPs commercial "hip-pop" has to offer.

J5 offer a refreshing new hip-hop perspective that contains both old and new school influences, tights flows over some of the strongest and most original beats and cuts you'll hear.

Being an EP it only has 13 tracks (8 originally plus the 5 bonus tracks), and only 6 are actual songs (although Cut Chemist's little skits are quite entertaining), but all of these are strong and show (just a taste) of what J5 have in stall for us in the future. "Concrete Schoolyard" is an instant classic, my other favourites being "Jayou" and "Action Satisfaction". I also don't mind the dubs, freestyle any one?

The only thing you'll be disappointed about buying this CD is that you'll be craving more tracks so pick up their LPs (Quality Control and Power in Numbers)if you're feeling it.

P.S. don't give this CD 3 stars just coz its short, its an EP, so rate it as one. (although it'd still be worth a least 4 if it WERE an LP...)

If you're tired of all the "bling bling, gold chains, platinum rings, playboy" [music] being played on the radio and getting the undeserved title of hip-hop, look into Jurassic 5 for some fresh air. You won't hear them rapping about their cars (...), slicing up their girlfriends (...), or the other no-thought-required drivel being played all over rap airwaves around the United States.

Making use of two DJs to cut some solid beats up that puts anything by Juvenile or Jay-Z to tearful shame, the 5 rappers in turn have some of the meanest flow since Gang Starr. And contrary to most of the mainstream garbage, these guys can actually perform that forgotten act of singing when they want to as well, making good use of it on the refrains of the tracks. "In The Flesh" is instantly catchy, "Concrete Schoolyard" is top performance hip-hop at its best with an ode to old school rhyming, and "Action Satisfaction" showcases J5 at their best.

With an already growing following and 2 classic releases behind them, J5 may be well on their way to changing how hip-hop is perceived, and it's definitely for the better. The only complaint about the EP is the large number of interludes and skits. Personally, I detest such a thing on full length albums, but its just ridiculous putting it on an EP, when the group really should have focused more on full-length songs to impress their listeners. Depending on what version you buy there's only 4-5 real songs on the EP. However, if you want to check out J5 before committing to a full length LP, grab this.

Don't hesitate to get the full-length album "Quality Control" if this grabs your attention at all or if you have a strong desire to hear something other than the usual Ja Rule garbage being forced on you right now.

To all those who think this album is too short, it's called an EP and, all EP's are damb short. Jurasic 5 is the tighest group to come out since the old school rap, they come at you with the hardest beats and the phatest rimes that would make the tighest record producer tap his feet and nod his head to the beat. Even if you don't like rap give it a chance and open your ears.

I find the originality and execution of this EP to be unmatched in hip hop. And it is better than a classic underground EP, it is darn near classic in general due to the timeless Concrete Schoolyard and Action Satisfaction. Also, Lesson Six is a classic DJ track for people who are into that (I am among those). Find this used cheap and you will keep it (and play it) forever.

What started life as a 8 track Ep, was later subsequently released as a full LP. This is Jurassic 5 at some of their most enigmatic, although they'd balk at the phrase, their style is resolutely `Old Skool', with a conspicuous absence of swearing & Bling, Bling. Displaying turntable trickery with decidedly more of a `Hands in the Air, Party feel'. But it's important not to forget what the 4 rappers "Marc 7even, Chali 2na, Zaakir & Akil", all successfully bring to the table, effortlessly weaving in & out of each other vocally without so much as a pause for breath. But if there's one track that beautifully illustrates what makes `Jurassic 5' a superior act...than it's the 5 minute party-shake down of "Concrete Schoolyard", with its all conquering party feel & magnificently implemented flute samples to produce a heady mix of a party anthem, with a more intelligent edge to songwriting...seeing as all of Jurassic 5's album requiring purchasing, there's no reason as to not start your collection with this classic slice of Old Skool Hip-Hop sensibilities.

I hadn't heared anything by J5 when I got this EP but after seeing the reviews it got, I had to pick it up. I wasn't dissapointed at all. Each Emcee has mad skills on the mic and it's not all that "flossin ice in da backseat of my hummer with da 25 inch platnim dubs" rap music either. If you are a fan of Blackalicious or any real Hip-Hop, you should pick this up.

My only gripes about this CD is th tracks Setup and Sausage GUt are just "filler" material. Also In The Flesh (hey, don't get me wrong, this is an excelent track) is edited and edited music gets on my nerves. Lesson 6: The Lecture doesn't really float my boat either. If it was a 6 minute beat production with some solid rhymes I would love it but listening to beats (even good ones like these) can get tired quickly.

The rest of the Tracks are great. Pay attention to Jayou, Concrete Schoolyard and Action Satisfaction. Note: You might notice that Jayou appears in the PS game Grind Session.

I first heard Jurassic 5 when I got their album "Quality Control". I liked that release so much that I had to get this earlier release. Both albums are consistent with each other and bring the listener the same type of solid, fun to listen to music.
"In The Flesh" sees J5 doing what everyone loves. Singing together on the breaks, than rapping back and forth between all of them on the verses. On "Jayou" they rap over a funky beat with a flute. This is a really good song. Definitely one of the albums highlights. "Lesson 6: The Lecture" lets DJ Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist mix beats together and creates a production only song. This is one of the things that J5 is really popular for as their producers, who are group members, are given their own tracks to mix together old school music and make catchy songs. "Concrete Schoolyard" is a more laid back song as all the members trade short verses back and forth. "Action Satisfaction" is another solid song on this album. Again on this song the listener can really see the chemistry of this group as the members go back and forth exchanging verses.
This is where the EP ends, however there is a 13 track import and here are reviews for those tracks. Track 9 is "Improvise" and that also appears on their "Quality Control" album. This is a solid song. Track 10 is just a production beat. Track 11, "Without a Doubt" is another solid song, with J5 going back and forth. Track 12 and 13 are also beats only.
The only problem is this album is rather short at 8 songs and about 25 minutes. The import has 13 songs and clocks in at 37 minutes. J5 has a fun way of making music that is not heard too often in the music industry today. I would recommend that all fans get the full LP "Quality Control" first. It's better because the listener gets 15 full songs of equal quality as on the EP. If you love J5 or would just like something new to try than get this one. J5 is one of the most underrated groups and I wish more fans would take notice of their original and really interesting style.