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OTHER A & E STORIES - "The Rules of Attraction," was the film Van Der Bleak - "The Rules of Attraction," a cinematic masterpice gone unappreciated - Chevelle: a new sound, new label and a brand new record - The Uniform takes commanding role in 'Experiment' - 'Spindrift' wins national award Jurassic 5 attacks the eardrums and the intellect with a brand new album Brian Kerin A&E Editor When Jurassic 5 exploded onto the scene after the release of their first album "Quality Control," the rap world was reintroduced to the lost art of hip-hop. With four MCs and two DJs, Jurassic 5's sound is as old school as it gets. The beats are classy, yet original; the rhymes are precise and calculated, all the while laced with a positive message. The influence of J5 is not only universal in terms of race, but also their disk can be found in CD players across the world. Jurassic five formed in 1993 as faces in the Los Angeles underground hip-hop scene. The same scene also spawned such groups as the Pharcyde and the Freestyle Fellowship. Dozens of MCs and DJs would congregated around the Good Life CafŽ where they would showcase their rhymes and beats. In 1997 J5 released their first disk, a self-titled EP on their own label. The disk sold well and the major labels started calling, the rest is history. The bands latest disk "Power in numbers" is a display of unconventional beats and superior rhymes. The first track sets the tone for the entire album; with a bass heavy sound and the looped sample over the chorus that sings, "Hold on to this feeling, freedom." One of the better tracks on the album is called "A day at the races", an old school beat with an up-tempo feel with guest MCs Big Daddy Kane and Percy P. The first single from the album is called "What's Golden". The song has a good-vibes beat and the lyrical flow is especially good, Chali 2na gets one of the more memorable lines: "Yo, it's the verbal Herman Munster, the word enhancer, sick of phony mobsters controlling the dance floor." "Power in numbers" as well has its fare share of guest appearances on the album. Nelly Furtado helps lend to the melancholy vibe to the track "Thin line"; a song that addresses some of the sadder aspects of relationships. Also, appearing on the album is Kool Keith who delivers a freestyle with no musical accompaniment. Ju Ju from the Beatnuts also gets an opportunity to display his rhyme technique on "One of them", a good song with a fairly unusual beat. Overall "Power in Numbers" has a darker feel to it, possibly reflecting some of the happenings in the world today. Yet overall the vibe is positive with optimistic undertones. Jurassic 5 has a long career ahead of them and as long as they keep making albums with as quality material as their last two LPs and the one EP that they have released so far there clout will continue to grow. There's got to be a righteous feel for the guys in J5, they didn't sell out by jumping on the mass consumption rap conveyer belt; they stayed true to the old school where positivism was a must and the beats were constructed, not produced. I really recommend this album to anybody whether you're a fan or just looking for something new. © 2002 Shoreline Community College™