Customer Reviews

Power in Numbers (Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD)

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jurassic 5's follow up to their critacally acclaimed "Quality Control", is quite refreshing in comparison to the majority rap albums being released as of late. In many cases "Power in numbers start where the last one left off. Primarlily on tracks like the Cut Chemist produced "Break", the 4 MC's flip different lyrical cadences over a straight up break beat. On "A Day At the Races" the crew invites Big Daddy Kane, and Percy P. to flow over an uptempo track, which takes you back to an era between the "Golden years", and 92, and by the way Akil, Zaakir(Soup), Chali2Na, and Marc7 have no trouble keeping up with the veterans. Other standouts include the first single from the album "What's Golden", which was produced by DJ NuMark, "Thin Line" featuring Nelly Furtado, and "After School Special".

The fellas also hit you with a few unexpected tracks, including "One of Them" featuring JuJu of the Beatnuts, where they go on to exploit the fake thug MC of today, check out the exiting conclusion where Soup rips "if there was no cameras aloud and your bodyguard didn't have to hold your hand through the croud." Another must hear is the smoothed out "Hey", it's definately a track that you can just vibe to.

Jurassic 5 most definately serve up another classic on this piece, and put themselves on another level as far as hip hop groups go today. Lets put it this way each member is a Lion, and when they form together, you get Voltron. That's a powerfull force. At this time the band is definately "What's Golden" in hip hop, but the sales could definately be Platinum.

Jurassic 5 comes through with yet another album with quality, control and experience. The lyrics have the same positive J5 content but much improved from Jurassic 5 EP release. The beats are more chill and sometimes with a hint of jazz which is more or less the usual J5 style. But if you've liked any of their previous releases you will like this album. The bonus DVD is also a great bonus to the CD. The DVD shows a little bit of each member's life in L.A definitely worth checkin out. Also check out Scratch the movie for a short look at J5 and a little expansion of your knowledge of hip hop.-Peace

Yes you get a dvd and I say so frikkin what to that. Just make sure that the quality of the dvd is good and the fans won't complain one bit and also the fact that the album has to be a good one. Surprisingly the free DVD might throw you off to not buying it since your probably thinking it some gimmick but Jurassic 5 are a talented bunch of young lads. The beats Cut Chemist creates are beautiful and some are totally out of this world. The dvd is okay since it showcases some of the members going through daily life in the town where they live and recorded this album! Overall a very good buy for serious music collectors of the hip hop genre. This is a good one but I recommend Quality Control , which is the groups debut LP and is just as good, if not, even better than this one but this album is still good and worth the buy

J5 has been known for their unique lyrical content and assaulting MC styles. Harmonious and teeming with melody, the group truly regains momentum with POWER IN NUMBERS. A great album with an underrated lazy dark jungle beat in "Remeber his NAme" and a powerful single in "What's Golden." Finally there is something decent to play on T.V. considering true talents are shunned from the mainstrstream.

Buy this album if hip-hop's your soul, if harmony is your passion, if music is your life, or if you like to have any sort of good time what-so-ever. Probably the greatest hip-hop album we're going to see, along with the roots, hit the radio and television. And as J5 says, "We keep it true to the game."

When I first heard the single off this album, "What's Golden", I was worried. Besides the fact that the lyrics and beats were sub-par from what I expect from J5, the subject matter worried me the most: they're still rapping about the same stuff! So you kick it old school.... I know already!
Their first EP was great because it showed lyrical skill, dope production, but also some poignant opinion. Their first full-length, Quality Control, had all the great production and lyrics we'd expect, but they spent most of the time spitting rhymes with little substance. Not the case on this new LP, entitled Power In Numbers. This album has HOTTER lyrical skills than the previous releases, HOTTER production and also boasts the return of the biting opinions promised to us on the EP way back. Don't be fooled by the single- definitely the least impressive full track on the album.
What would be a hip-hop album without bragging and rhymes about nothing in particular? Blasphemy, that's what. It wouldn't be hip-hop. Nevertheless, J5 add a new layer of credibility on this album by exploring, more deeply and brazenly than before, turbulent subjects such as relationships, politics, and culture. The metophors are heavier on this album. Even the same ol' "J5 whining about today's rap" songs bite just a little harder. On this release, they're rapping about MORE than what they don't rap about.
Each of the 4 mc's and 2 producers step up with lyrical skills. The production is also more distinct, and features tighter bass lines and arrangments. The album features more variety. Songs feature a wider range of speeds, moods and melodies than in the dissapointingly homogenous Quality Control.
The album features flows from Hip-hop legends such as Kool Keith, Percy P, and Big Daddy Kane. Juju from the beatnuts produces two tracks, and raps on one of them (coincidentally, he matches all the stereotypes attacked in the song... oh well.. who can deny the production of Da Nutz?). Nelly Furtado also lends her smooth voice on one of the songs.
If you're like me and you think hip-hop is in a lull right now, buy this album.. just do it. Don't even worry about the 4 stars.. just do it. This album gets into you. You don't even have to WANT to like it. JUST DO IT. The group is Jurassic 5 and the album is Power in Numbers.

Let's face the facts: 2002 has been by far, the most embarrassing and humiliating year for hip-hop and rap music. The creativity for the most part has left the brain cells of pot smoking and $$$-induced artists. Is it the record companies' faults? Or just the artists?

I'm sorry, but the Neptunes have by far ruined the art of hip-hop and rap by contributing 'hit singles' that all sound alike to artists thus taking away their originality. Big ups to Fat Joe for swearing never to work with them and I'm sure Eminem won't work with them too even though they expressed interest in working with him. Before I end up turning this into an essay of why the music [stinks] now, let's jump into Jurassic 5's new disc which should bring smiles to all this year.

Back in 1995 when every rapper was on fair playing grounds (without Nelly grabbing the lion's share of the charts), we saw groups like Wu-Tang rise to fame without selling out to the Neptunes. Flashforward to six years later -- Big name rap stars are hording in their own groups that they came up with and that have no talent including D12 [sorry Em, but Bizzare is a fat man with no talent] and St. Lunatics [who also like to refer to asians as 'Chinaman' in their rhymes]. They basically destroyed the Hip Hop Group.

Not too long ago, Jurassic 5 hit us with a raw hip hop sound. The group is a throwback to Krush Groove and other groups from the '80's in that they're a GROUP, and not an artist trying to outshine the other members. Their new disc "POWER IN NUMBERS" is described in one word: PHENOMENAL. The disc brings back an old school vibe with interludes of freestyling and unconventional guest apperances [Nelly Furtado]. Sure, there are some tracks they could have done without [ONE OF THEM], but given the fact that most of the music out today [stinks], I give it five stars.

This without a doubt, is the cd of the year for me! This is what REAL hip hop needs to get back to. A dj, phat beats and a mic. True Hip Hop! No fancy clothes, no naked babies dancing in the videos, no liquor. HIP HOP! Check out "One of Them" with Ju Ju from the Beat Nuts. Big Daddy Kane makes a guest appearance. ONLY FOR TRUE HIP HOP FANS!!!!!!!!!

J5 have undoubtedly taken their game to the next level on Power in Numbers. This album has a jazzier feel than Quality Control and the lyrics are definitely more serious. Quality Control was all about fun and this album is more about reflection but that doesn't mean that Power in Numbers doesn't have its party moments, i.e. Whats Golden. Standouts include Freedom, Thin Line and Hey. Nelly Furtado vocals are perfect for the equally matched beat and it is easily the best material she has done in awhile. Hey is simply amazing. The vibe is wonderful. If you liked J5 before you will covet this album and if you are new to hip-hop this is a great place to start.

For fans of Jurassic 5, this album is another home run. And for the uninitiated, get this album and get exposed. J5 has evolved - moving beyond the retro, old-school grooves of Quality Control and their EP. They've added a new DJ (Cut Chemist) and have a newer edge to their beats.

There is the first single "What's Golden" - but it isn't the best song on this album by far. "Thin Line" with help from Nelly Furtado, "Remember His Name", "Hey", "Freedom" and "Acetate Prophets" are excellent tracks - each showing a different aspect of J5.

If you are into hip-hop, this is a can't miss album. Even if you only like hip-hop a little bit, it is worth giving this album a spin.

Jurassic 5 don't have exceptional talent. They aren't very original. Listening to their CDs isn't exactly a thought-provoking experience. But they do provide you with a refreshing change of pace and a break from all the industry problems and politics involved in gangsta rap. They just kick rhymes and play with beats and don't pretend to do anything else. This CD is a good listen.

For those who aren't familiar with J5, they consist of four MCs (Akil, Chali 2na, Zaakir, Marc 7) and two DJs (Nu-Mark, Cut Chemist). The MCs are all pretty talented. Their voices, both in unison and apart, work almost like instruments to change the sound of the rapping. It has a nice effect. I have to say Chali 2na outshines all the rest, with his deep voice and fantastic flow (check Sum of Us), but all the rest are good, too. Sometimes Akil and Zaakir are hard to tell apart, but both have skills. Marc 7 has a more breathy voice, and I've heard he's releasing a solo record.

Lyrically, this album has good content and variety. Some songs have political messages, such as Freedom, I Am Somebody, and Sum of Us, which has the best flows on the album. Some songs are just kicking old-school rhymes. This includes Break, High Fidelity, After School Special, and Day At the Races, feat. Big Daddy Kane and Percy P. What We Do is telling you J5's goal, which is basically just to make good music from way back when. Thin Line explores the line between friendship and love, and Remember His Name is a good story about a brother who made some bad choices and suffered bad consequences. What's Golden is kind of just kicking rhymes, but mixes it with some gangsta rap disses. Hey is good to just chill to. One of Them gets special mention because it's a rather unexpected diss to all the gangsta rappers who just go on camera and act tough. It makes some good points, but I don't like it that much. The tone is a little too angry, which doesn't suit J5. When they cuss and try to sound angry, they come off as a little corny. Also, the verses are more just split up into a series of one-liners. Dark beat. The remaining tracks are just DJ tracks, with one OK freestyle. There are no wack tracks on here. It's enjoyable throughout the CD.

The production is split between Nu-Mark, Cut Chemist, and a couple of guest stars. Personally, I prefer Nu-Mark. He has more variety. He just thinks up a cool melody that suits the tone of the song and puts it on there, without too much sampling. He gets most of the tracks in the middle; the best tracks in my opinion. Cut Chemist gets some tracks at the beginning and end, but I get the feeling he just likes the mess around with beats. He isn't consistent. He likes to change the beat around in the middle of the song, and does some weird sampling. I can't really get into it the way it changes, becaues as soon as I adjust to a beat it switches, so it never really feels complete. He only produces four or five real songs. The others are just DJ tracks. He just likes to play around, especially with drums. Juju of the Beatnuts produces One of Them and What We Do. What We Do is a soulful and jazzy flute/piano beat, and possibly the best on the album. One of Them is OK, a little dark. I forget who the other guest producer is, but he does Hey. He captures the dreamy "just chill" feel that makes the song great. The last track is a DJ duet between Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist. It's fun to listen to sometimes, but I prefer lyrics. All good beats that compliment the rappers perfectly.

I don't know what else to say. These are the dope old-schoolers. This is what I listen to if I'm in a good mood just to nod my head to. Good old-fashioned rhyming. Somehow, you can just tell all the MCs are nice guys who can rhyme. The DVD tells you more about their personalities and it helps you tell them all apart, which confused me at first. This isn't very serious or hardcore music, nor does it pretend to be, but if you want happy, light-hearted rhymes and beats, this is for you.

Closing Comments: Watch Chali 2na rap on the DVD, if you get it. He looks funny.