Jurassic 5 - EP (October 13, 1997)

The late Jurassic 5 (late because they recently broke up) was a West Coast-based rap group who attempted to bring the positive aspects of hip hop back to the forefront. (Obviously they failed, or else you would have heard of them before this post.) The group consisted of four rappers (Chali 2na, Akil, Soup, and Mark 7even) and two DJ's (Cut Chemist and Nu-Mark). Yes, I realize that adds up to six people. Clever, eh? The members apparently were part of two separate rap groups who decided to do battle side by side.

This EP is their official debut (the original trunk-of-car release had nine tracks, but the (purchased) CD I have lists only eight, as it is the reissue), released on their own short-lived record label, created solely to release this one album. I guess you can't really knock their ambition. Well, I could; I just won't.

I'm actually a fan of the group, especially Chali 2na. Other than having one of the coolest rap names ever, his low, monotone bass-voice stands out from the rest of his bandmates. Join me in a time before major labels and collabos with fucking Dave Matthews, of all people. (Shit, they may as well have done a track with fucking Snow.)

1. IN THE FLESH
This is just some catchy, simple hip hop that won't make you think or increase your blood pressure to hazard levels (Snow, looking in your direction).

2. QUALITY CONTROL PART II
I guess this makes sense, as their major label debut single was "Quality Control"...nah, gotcha, this is just a skit.

3. JAYOU
When I said that this music won't make you think? Meant that.

4. LESSON 6: THE LECTURE
The DJ cut. Unsure if this is Cut Chemist's work, or Nu-Mark's. Or maybe (gasp!) both!

5. CONCRETE SCHOOLYARD
You can picture a group of well-meaning-but-misguided street youths rhyming over this beat in one of those "white schoolteacher teaches the ghetto kids" Dangerous Minds-type films. Or maybe this song would just run over the end credits, take your pick.

6. SETUP
Skit. (I should mention that these "skits" are really just samples from instructional records, so it's not like Chali 2na stole Raekwon's Killer tape or anything. This isn't Prince Paul, after all.)

7. ACTION SATISFACTION
The weakest track on the EP.

8. SAUSAGE GUT
Ok, now this is a skit. A useless one at that.

In 1998, this EP was picked up by another label (before its eventual stop at Interscope records) and re-released as a 13-track album, conveniently titled LP. It featured all eight above tracks, and the following:

9. IMPROVISE
I don't have the Interscope album out right now, but I'm pretty sure this is the same song from that album.

10. BLACKTOP BEAT
Originally the ninth track on the first pressings of the EP. Don't worry; it's just an instrumental.

11. WITHOUT A DOUBT
The vocal samples in the background are annoying as fuck.

12. LESSON 6 (REPRISE)
Sounds exactly as it reads.

13. ACTION SATISFACTION (DUB)
See above track.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Jurassic 5 may not have been a force to be reckoned with, but they were a solid, consistent group that I wish would have stayed together. The EP is a meh introduction to them, as the Interscope debut Quality Control (which I'll get to soon) serves them a hell of a lot better, but this EP, taken by itself, is a very enjoyable piece of work.

BUY OR BURN? You should buy it, if only because the EP version is pretty cheap. Download the LP, though, as it's an import CD and may cost you thirty dollars otherwise.

BEST TRACKS: "Jayou"; "Concrete Schoolyard"

-Max