Jungle Brothers | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Although they predated the jazz-rap innovations of De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and Digable Planets, the Jungle Brothers were never able to score with either rap fans or mainstream audiences, perhaps due to their embrace of a range of styles -- including house music, Afrocentric philosophy, a James Brown fixation, and of course, the use of jazz samples -- each of which has been the sole basis for the start-up of a rap act. Signed to a major label for 1989s Done by the Forces of Nature, the JBs failed to connect on that album -- hailed by some as an ignored classic -- or the follow-up, J Beez Wit the Remedy. Mike Gee (born Michael Small; Harlem, NY), DJ Sammy B (born Sammy Burwell; Harlem, NY), and Baby Bam (born Nathaniel Hall; Brooklyn, NY) came together as the Jungle Brothers in the mid-80s and began their recording career at the dance label Idler. The result of the sessions, Straight Out the Jungle, was released in early 1988. The albums Afrocentric slant gained the Jungle Brothers entry into the Native Tongue Posse, a loose collective formed by hip-hop legend Afrikaa Bambaataa, including Queen Latifah (and, later, De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest). The albums most far-out cut was "Ill House You," a collaboration with house producer Todd Terry and an early experiment in what later became known as hip-house. Though Straight Out the Jungle had not sold in large quantities, Warner Bros. signed the trio in 1989 and released a second album, Done By the Forces of Nature, that same year. Though it was issued around the time of De La Souls groundbreaking 3 Feet High and Rising LP and gained just as many positive reviews, the album was overlooked by most listeners. The Jungle Brothers chances of mainstream acceptance werent helped at all by a four-year absence after the release of Done By the Forces of Nature, inspired mostly by Warner Bros. marketing strategies. Finally, in the summer of 1993, J Beez Wit the Remedy appeared, complete with a sizeable push from Warner Bros.; unfortunately, the large amount of promotion failed to carry the album. Obviously not learning from their earlier mistakes, Warner Bros. also delayed the release of the groups fourth album, Raw Deluxe, until mid-1997. V.I.P. followed in early 2000, and All That We Do was released in 2002. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 13 Title: Straight Out the Jungle Released: 1988 Tracks: 12 Duration: 45:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Straight Out the Jungle (04:00) 2 What’s Going On (04:07) 3 Black Is Black (03:38) 4 Jimbrowski (04:30) 5 I’m Gonna Do You (03:22) 6 I’ll House You (04:57) 7 On the Run (04:06) 8 Behind the Bush (03:35) 9 Because I Got It Like That (04:38) 10 Braggin and Boastin (03:53) 11 Sounds of the Safari (03:01) 12 Jimmy’s Bonus Beats (01:10) |
| Straight Out the Jungle : Allmusic album Review : The landmark opening salvo from the Jungle Brothers, Straight out the Jungle was also the very first album from the Native Tongues posse, which would utterly transform hip-hop over the next few years. That alone would be enough to make it a groundbreaking release, but Straight out the Jungle also contains the musical seeds for a number of soon to be dominant trends. Their taste for jazzy horn samples helped kickstart the entire jazz-rap movement, and their concurrent James Brown fixation was one of the first to follow Eric B. & Rakims lead. Plus, the groups groundbreaking collaboration with legendary house producer Todd Terry, "Ill House You," is also here; it paved the way for numerous hip-house hybrids that shot up the dance and pop charts over the next few years. The lyrics were often as cerebral as the music was adventurous and eclectic, appealing to the mind rather than the gut -- and the fact that rap didnt necessarily have to sound as though it were straight off the streets was fairly revelatory at the time. "Black Is Black" and the title cut are some of the first flowerings of Afrocentric hip-hop, but the group isnt always so serious; "Im Gonna Do You," "Behind the Bush," and the sly, classic "Jimbrowski" are all playfully sexy without descending into misogyny. To modern ears, Straight out the Jungle will likely sound somewhat dated -- the raw, basement-level production is pretty rudimentary even compared to their second album, and makes the jazz-rap innovations a bit difficult to fully comprehend, plus the album ends on several throwaways. But it is possible to hear the roots of hip-hops intellectual wing, not to mention a sense of fun and positivity that hearkened back to the musics earliest Sugar Hill days -- and thats why Straight out the Jungle ultimately holds up. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 13 Title: Done by the Forces of Nature Released: 1989-11-21 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:00:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Beyond This World (04:08) 2 Feelin’ Alright (03:36) 3 Sunshine (03:45) 4 What “U” Waitin’ 4? (04:04) 5 “U” Make Me Sweat (04:01) 6 Acknowledge Your Own History (03:40) 7 Belly Dancin’ Dina (03:41) 8 Good Newz Comin’ (04:38) 9 Done by the Forces of Nature (03:49) 10 Beeds on a String (03:34) 11 Tribe Vibes (03:53) 12 J. Beez Comin’ Through (03:36) 13 Black Woman (03:57) 14 In Dayz “2” Come (03:56) 15 Doin’ Our Own Dang (04:18) 16 Kool Accordin’ “2” a Jungle Brother (01:55) |
| Done by the Forces of Nature : Allmusic album Review : The follow-up to their groundbreaking debut, Done By the Forces of Nature is the point where the Jungle Brothers production catches up to their musical ambition. Theres still a ruddy, lo-fi edge to the record, but the samples are more abundant and intricately woven, and theres an altogether fuller sound that gives the group a greater presence. Moreover, the groups non-musical ideas come into greater focus as well. The Native Tongues Afrocentric philosophy gets a more extensive airing here than on the debut, filling the record with positive consciousness-raising, both cultural ("Acknowledge Your Own History," "Black Woman," "Beyond This World") and spiritual (the title cut, "In Dayz 2 Come"); there are even the occasional lyrical asides concerning good dietary habits. All of this makes Done by the Forces of Nature one of the most intellectual hip-hop albums released up to that point, but as before, the group tempered their cerebral bent with a healthy sense of humor and fun. Thanks to the improved production, the J.Beez are able to take it to the dancefloor better than ever before, and toss in some pure, good-time, booty-shaking grooves in the hits "What U Waitin For" and "U Make Me Sweat." Theres also "Belly Dancin Dina," a narrative that echoes the playful come-ons of the debut, and proves that progressive thinking and respect for women dont necessarily have to cool the libido. Late in the album, the posse cut "Doin Our Own Dang" offers the chance to hear most of the Native Tongues -- Tribe, De La, and Latifah -- dropping rhymes all in one place. Through it all, the J.Beez construct an eclectic musical backdrop borrowed from jazz, early R&B;, funk, African music, and more. Even if Straight out the Jungle was the historical landmark, Done by the Forces of Nature feels more realized in many respects, and is arguably the more satisfying listen. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 13 Title: J. Beez Wit the Remedy Released: 1993-06-22 Tracks: 14 Duration: 50:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 40 Below Trooper (03:57) 2 Book of Rhyme Pages (04:44) 3 My Jimmy Weighs a Ton (03:36) 4 Gook Ole Hype Shit (03:30) 5 BlahBludify (02:33) 6 Spark a New Flame (04:24) 7 I’m in Love With Indica (04:14) 8 Simple As That (03:52) 9 All I Think About Is You (04:11) 10 Good Lookin Out (03:31) 11 JBs Comin Through (01:55) 12 Spittin Wicked Randomness (03:31) 13 For The Headz At Company Z (03:08) 14 Man Made Material (03:10) |
| J. Beez Wit the Remedy : Allmusic album Review : Willfully difficult, ceaselessly sarcastic and playful, the Jungle Brothers had more talent than virtually all of their contemporaries in alternative rap, but often squandered it taking detours that did little to endear them to hip-hop fans. Four long years after their Native Tongues family had emerged with the success of De La Souls 3 Feet High and Rising, the Jungle Brothers finally returned with their third record. Expectations were very high, from fans and their label (Warner Bros.), but if the JBs didnt exactly bring the remedy with this one, they still featured an obtuse playfulness sorely lacking in hip-hop. Mike Gee and Baby Bam didnt have as much to say as A Tribe Called Quest or even De La Soul; most of the songs here are loved-up sex raps or weed fantasies, and the group deliberately blurs the lines between the two, getting dangerously close to objectifying a woman on "Spark a New Flame," but speaking lovingly of marijuana on "Im in Love With Indica." The chorus on the hilariously titled satire "My Jimmy Weighs a Ton" (a clear Public Enemy reference) skates back and forth between a sweet diva and a hardcore jam. The productions, virtually all of them by the Jungle Brothers alone, are freewheeling and unpredictable, but vary in quality from intriguing to downright misguided. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 13 Title: Raw Deluxe Released: 1997-06-03 Tracks: 12 Duration: 52:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Jungle Brother (True Blue) (04:10) 2 Changes (03:53) 3 Black Man on Track (04:40) 4 Toe to Toe (04:01) 5 Moving Along (04:46) 6 Gettin Money (04:12) 7 Where You Wanna Go (03:19) 8 Brain (04:59) 9 Handle My Business (03:54) 10 How Ya Want It We Got It (Native Tongues remix) (04:38) 11 Bring It On (04:24) 12 Jungle Brother (Stereo MCs mix) (05:06) |
| Raw Deluxe : Allmusic album Review : The Jungle Brothers career was plagued with delays and setbacks, which resulted in each of their albums being released several years after they were officially due. Their fourth effort, Raw Deluxe, is no different. The Jungle Brothers remain one of hip-hops most inventive crews, crafting remarkably sophisticated, jazzy beats and rhyming with skill and intellegence, but they sound more as if they were aligned with late-80s trends, not the styles of the late 90s. This isnt a bad thing, since they are musically and lyrically gifted, but it also makes Raw Deluxe sound more like an artifact than a blazing comeback. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 13 Title: V.I.P. Released: 1999-10-18 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:10:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 V.I.P. (05:53) 2 I Remember (06:30) 3 Get Down (05:15) 4 Early Morning (05:32) 5 Down With the JBeez (08:43) 6 The Brothers (05:02) 7 Party Goin On (01:55) 8 Sexy Body (05:24) 9 Playing for Keeps (06:38) 10 JBeez Rock the Dancehall (04:08) 11 Freakin You (06:13) 12 Strictly Dedicated (09:07) |
 | Album: 6 of 13 Title: Jungllenium Remixes Released: 2000 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:14:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Ultimatum Ultra Mix (04:33) 2 V.I.P. (Wiseguys mix) (04:19) 3 Get Down (Bronx Dogs mix) (06:25) 4 Because I Got It Like That (Ultimatum mix) (05:22) 5 Black Is Black (Ultimatum remix) (04:11) 6 Because I Got It Like That (Freestylers Indett mix) (07:59) 7 Jungle Brother (Urban Takeover mix) (06:57) 8 Freakin You (Caribbean Sunshine remix) (06:58) 9 Brain (Refugee Camp mix) (04:09) 10 Jungle Brother (Afrika mix) (04:20) 11 How Ya Want It We Got It (Native Tongues remix) (04:38) 12 Brain (Da Beatminerz mix) (05:38) 13 Straight Out the Jungle (Soul Shock remix) (09:03) |
 | Album: 7 of 13 Title: Beyond This World: Best & Rare Released: 2001-01-29 Tracks: 19 Duration: 1:15:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 J-Beez Comin Through (03:32) 2 Feelin Alright (03:35) 3 Doin Our Own Dang (04:18) 4 What U Waitin 4? (04:02) 5 U Make Me Sweat (04:00) 6 Beyond This World (04:08) 7 Done by the Force of Nature (03:47) 8 Book of Rhyme Pages (04:46) 9 Good Lookin Out (03:34) 10 My Jimmy Weighs a Ton (03:38) 11 All I Think About Is You (04:14) 12 40 Below Trooper (03:59) 13 Simple As That (03:53) 14 Doin Our Own Dang (Do It to the JBs mix) (06:43) 15 What U Waiting 4? (Love Ride & Orchestra mix) (03:55) 16 On the Radio Again (My Jimmy Weighs a Ton) (Q-Tip remix) (03:30) 17 Promo No.2 (Mind Review 89) (03:30) 18 Beyond This World (Bone-A-Baby BAM Beat version) (01:34) 19 Good Newz Comin (04:36) |
 | Album: 8 of 13 Title: You In My Hut Now Released: 2002-06-05 Tracks: 17 Duration: 58:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Booty Trap (03:29) 2 Candy (04:10) 3 Spice It Up (04:02) 4 Da Park (03:16) 5 Da Intro (00:29) 6 Let Me (03:27) 7 You In My Hut Now (03:18) 8 Big Daddys (00:56) 9 All That We Do (03:05) 10 Bounce (03:46) 11 Love & Hate (06:04) 12 Something About Cha (04:31) 13 Lets Get Away (04:21) 14 Do Your Thing (03:29) 15 Lethal (03:38) 16 Buggn (01:46) 17 Whats the Five "O" (04:09) |
 | Album: 9 of 13 Title: All That We Do Released: 2002-10-29 Tracks: 12 Duration: 42:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Booty Trap (03:27) 2 Candy (04:06) 3 Let Me (03:50) 4 You in My Hut Now (03:16) 5 The Big Daddys (skit) (00:54) 6 All That We Do (03:02) 7 Love & Hate (06:01) 8 Something About Cha (03:48) 9 Lets Get Away (04:19) 10 Do Your Thing (03:14) 11 Buggin (01:41) 12 Whats the Five O (04:28) |
| All That We Do : Allmusic album Review : Fifteen years after they formed, barnstorming hip-hop mainstays Jungle Brothers kept struggling for a degree of respect and recognition, releasing their third straight album for a different label (this one is basically self-released). For a producer, the duo made an odd choice: veteran house legend Todd Terry, who had rarely worked in hip-hop before but boasted a long pedigree in New Yorks club scene (hed also produced the Jungle Brothers club crossover "Ill House You" more than a dozen years earlier). Except for a few odd tracks where Terry and the JBs attempt to duplicate the pimp roll of the Dirty South, his broad talents are a perfect fit for the rangy JBs, who move easily from smooth, summer-day soul ("Candy") to stark electro-bass ("You in My Hut Now," "Whats the Five O") to energetic old-school party music ("Do Your Thing," "Buggin"). The raps and tracks rarely vary, but Mike G and Afrikas sexed-up tales are hilarious and display a Neptunes-style weirdness that puts them right back into the hip-hop mainstream. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 13 Title: EP 1 Released: 2005 Tracks: 4 Duration: 21:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Ill House You (04:55) 2 Because I Got It Like That (Ultimatum mix) (05:16) 3 VIP (05:50) 4 Jungle Brother (Stereo MCs mix) (05:04) |
 | Album: 11 of 13 Title: EP 2 Released: 2005 Tracks: 4 Duration: 20:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Because I Got It Like That (04:35) 2 Black Is Back (03:37) 3 Down With the J Beez (08:40) 4 Jungle Brother (04:05) |
 | Album: 12 of 13 Title: Grow Released: 2005-07-13 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:05:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Blues Encore (05:03) 2 Cruise Control (04:36) 3 Too Slick to Grind (04:03) 4 Lets Make Friends (03:46) 5 Chase the Morb (06:11) 6 More Days Please (04:26) 7 These Streets We Walk (04:55) 8 Walking round the Block (05:26) 9 Clap Your Hands (03:58) 10 Cucumber Lounge (05:18) 11 To the Bone (04:04) 12 Sad Day (05:51) 13 Brain in Dub (03:37) 14 Flirtline (03:59) |
 | Album: 13 of 13 Title: Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) Released: 2011 Tracks: 5 Duration: 16:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) (radio version) (02:51) 2 Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) (video version) (02:51) 3 Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) (alternative radio version) (02:36) 4 Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) (alternative video version) (02:36) 5 Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) (alternative extended mix) (05:20) |