Customer Reviews

Reachin

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Digable Planets came off as a flash in the pan in the pages of hip hop history, which is a crying shame considering that this debut album of theirs is so good that it deserves a lot more respect than it's getting. Sylk 130, for starters, produces some of the best jazz-heavy beats of the early 90s, making it a truly up-lifting feel-good album despite the politically-charged nature of the lyrics. The MCs are also off the hook and, in my opinion, brutally slept-on. This album dropped in 1993, around when Illmatic and Midnight Marauders dropped. Both of these albums are heralded as lyrical masterpieces, yet I feel that Reachin' belongs right up there next to Nas and Q Tip. Butter, Doodle and Mecca have a smooth yet air-tight approach to the microphone, and their lyrics are both entertaining and socially relavent.

While these cats flew under the radar, mostly due to their ultra-left political alignment, I do believe that the Digable Planets deserve the same credit groups like A Tribe Called Quest are getting. The Digable Planets produced a more positive and empowering message than any group could ever even hope to achieve - an achievement that only the likes of KRS-One could ever boast. While De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest kept our summer days that much cooler with Three Feet High and Rising and Low End Theory, Digable Planets were doing the same thing yet at the same time spreading a message that was so important to the black communities of New York in the early 90s. Don't get me wrong, I think that most of the so-called d.a.i.s.y. hip hop acts brought a truly positive vibe to people's earphones, and I love them for that. But Digable Planets were on a whole other level. The passion that came out of their two albums was like no other. For me, groups like Tribe were about straight cold chilling; Digable Planets, however, were about straight inspiration and empowerment.

I've recently started listening to this (tape) about a week ago after a long time and then wonder what took me so long to dig the bad boy back up. Like A Tribe Called Quest's "Low End Theory", Reachin' is another album that you can play all the way through. This album is just as smooth and jazzy as the Best of Sade with a hip hop feel to it. Man, I long for jazzy hip hop to be the mainstream in pop music as long as no one loses their touch. Maybe it will happen we everyone tires of the hip hop that's out now. My favorite track are 'Jimmi Diggin' Cats', 'Femme Fatale', 'Nickel Bags' and the popular 'Rebirth of Slick'. Where are bands like Digable Planets, Arrested Development and Public Enemy when you need them.

I loved this cd to death. I even had the pleasure of meeting Cee-Knowledge from the group and it was a beautiful time. Real down to earth people and real music. Perhaps not always the best lyrically, but overall this was great listening. I would recommend this to anyone just for the experience. Rebirth of Slick, Where I'm from...Anyone who doesn't have it should.

For those depraved souls who have not encountered Digable, I advise that you get a credit card number and buy this album. I promise it will literally make you a better person. If I'm wrong, at least you will come away with some creative lingo to impress your friends (Brooklyn style, kid) and some funky tracks in your brain. The Digable Planets' style on this album combines the politically charged agenda of PE with the jazz sensibilities of bebop along with old-fashioned urban, hip-hop angst. It takes you on a ride through the streets of the band's address: Brooklyn, NY. Next, after you have immersed yourself in the aural downbeat jazz assault that is Digable's trademark, take a step further with their equally brilliant follow up, Blowout Comb. For lovers of hip hop and cool jazz--the art--these albiums are absolutely essential.

Listen in your belly, not your head. And get free... Funk is you funk is me...

peace I'm out

Digable Planets released "Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)" in 1993 to great success. The CD went gold, as did their first single, "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)," which peaked at #15 on the Top 100. The song was a huge breakthrough - it didn't sound like anything else on the radio. They even received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, losing to Toni Braxton, and "Rebirth of Slick" won Best Rap Group Single, beating out Arrested Development and Naughty by Nature among others. It's a terrific song, although it's lost some of its luster over the years from over-exposure, including a tackling by the American Idol finalists on a recent episode.

Their music is heavy on jazz samples, including Art Blakey, Steven Bernstein, and Eddie Harris. A few of the samples come from the legendary Blue Note label, which makes Digable Planet's concept and sound somewhat similar to US3 ("Cantaloop"). However, Digable Planet overlaid these samples with very laid-back raps, exactly what you'd expect from a band with members named Butterfly, Doodle, and Ladybug. They rap, but they also name-check Charlie Parker and Charles Mingus. Other songs sample R&B or dance music to great effect; one of the highlights is "Nickel Bag," which is built around a Curtis Mayfield sample. All in all, there's not a bum song on the CD.

The CD is full of quality music: worthy of 5 stars in many ways. However, I admittedly get somewhat bored when I listen to this CD start to finish - there simply isn't enough diversity in the band's mellow sound. Nevertheless, I respect this CD. For it's time, it was a fairly adventurous melding of rap, jazz, and a hippie sensibility. Along with Arrested Development and US3, it seemed like Digable Planets were on the forefront of a new and influential style of rap. Digable Planet's second CD though didn't do well, and the group faded quickly. Unfortunately, many people probably ended up thinking that "Rebirth of Slick" is their only worthwhile song. One listen to this CD will dispel that belief - so give "Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)" a chance.

Originally from 1993. Yeah, you read that right. 1993. If you can groove on the instrumentals from any of the Beastie Boys albums, any of the tracks from Common's "One Day it'll all Make Sense" or you just love to lay back and chill the funk out; give this a listen. Jazzy beats and cool uncomplicated, unabtrusive rhymes, about life and Zen are a nice change from (...)and bling. jay%^)

"Digable Planets" just about started their own sub-genre of rap when they meshed the beats of hip-hop and the coolness of jazz together. They aren't the only ones to have ever done it, but they did it incredibly well. Some people may think of them as a one hit wonder, but if you liked "Rebirth Of Slick (cool like dat)", you'll love the whole album. Even a decade later, this is still one of the most unique albums I own, rap or not. The only current group I know similar to them might be "Jurassic 5". Other phat tracks on this disc are "It's Good To Be Here", "Pacifics", and my favorite "Where I'm From". Such good lyrics. Anyway, if you need a change from the rap norm, check out "Reachin' (a new refutation of time and space)".

If you are fan of laid-back, smooth hip-hop ala De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest, then you definately have to own this album. An orgy of tight rhyming and expansive grooves, DP manages to lay the vocals down perfectly over mellow,tight beats. The tracks are all dense, flowing wordplays with numerous jazz samples and a plethora of funky sounds. This record is epic--buy it immediately.

What happened to this kind of sound in Hip Hop? This album makes me miss the poetry flavor in hip hop. This is music with meaning and Digable Planets Has something to convey.This is the real sh*t. Great loops used also the jazzy sounding loops are perfected on this album. Overall, A great hip hop flavor that has been lost in the jumbled up hip hop styles of today and it contains a great jazzy laid back sound.