This is one of the few albums (especially rap ones) that I haven't heard a bad thing about - ever. Now that I've finally got it, I can see why.

Simply put, De La Soul are gods. Everything on this album comes together in a way which few other albums have (not even the later De La albums). It's very interesting to listen to this in 2001 and think that this is what hip-hop could/should have become if not for the "gangstas" of the world.

On all the tracks, it's easy to see that the three members are rapping out of love for the style and don't really care what anyone thinks. There are the names (Posdnous and Trugoy for example), which have to be spelled backwards to begin to understand the jokes; the game show (on which no one can answer the questions); the strange interludes (check out "Can You Keep A Secret"); and the bizarre rapping throughout.

The opening cut "The Magic Number" is pure joy. From the opening verse, it's obvious that these guys must be slightly out of their minds - this is proven throughout the album. Crazy rhymes, silly samples and an attitude of pure fun abound. There's even the infamous "Transmitting Live From Mars" which became the major evidence in one of the early anti-sampling cases. If that isn't enough, listen to "Plug Tunin'" - the intro will get into your mind even if you don't want it to.

Then of course comes the biggest hit from this album - "Me Myself and I". I defy anyone to listen to this track without breaking out laughing at some point - De La Soul are unable to take anything seriously.

On top of it all, there's the DAISY (Da Inna Sound Y'all) motif and appearances by the Jungle Brothers and a very young Q-Tip, all of whom were involved in the Native Tongues movement of the early 90s. What to give the hip-hop fan with everything? This album would have to be a good start (unless the fan already has it).

In short - an album which cannot seriously be missing from a respectable hip-hop collection. I've used it to convince rap haters and gangstas that there is something better - and this is certainly better.

A breath of fresh air well worth taking.

I am always amazed at some of the classic CDs that get deleted domestically. De La Soul's "Three Feet High and Rising" is one of the best hip-hop albums of all time. I know the band goes to great lengths sometimes to distance themselves from this disc, but more than a decade since its release, the trippy, daisy-age concept of this effort is now almost back in vogue. Regardless, it has always stood the test of time for me. The gameshow concept and the jokes sometimes get a little dated, though they will always retain their cleverness, but the grooves and the samples are intelligently constructed and first rate. "The Magic Number," "Eye Know," "Potholes," "Me Myself and I" (which introduced as many people to P. Funk in its own way as Snoop-Dog did) and "Daisy Age" are seminal cuts. Bring this beat back to the States!

Truly a rap/hip hop masterpiece and a stylistic breakthrough at the time. Funny, funky, clever, catchy, it's accessible without being pandering, cutting edge but not confrontational. 'Suburban rap' some called it, and why not? Why not sample Steely Dan as well as Parliament/Funkadelic? This album was practicaly on a continuous tape loop on my stereo when it came out and represented a new path for rap which has remained largely unfollowed. Some call it the Sgt. Pepper's of rap, and I can see why, but I think it will age better. As far as I'm concerned, it already has. MUCH better.

I cannot help but think back to those days of 1987-88. De La Soul was unlike anything in the world of hip hop. The first time I heard Jennifer o Jenny, was amazing. Here were some MC's who sampled old/odd music/bits and created their own slang. Not much out there today resembles what De La did during this time. Maybe Outcast. Maybe. The musical direction of Prince Paul is evident. Maybe I am getting old, but I wish hip hop was like this today. Creative, unique, smart, hip, fun, and BRILLIANT. What happened to Hip Hop? Perhaps this is the greatest Hip Hop album of all time.

Play this for your friends who think they don't like "rap". Infectious and original, these guys are having fun in the studio laying down killer beats, riffs and dubs. Enjoyed identifying the classic tracks they sampled, never heard a Hall & Oates tune sound so good! Great party CD, totally danceable, and you'll have 'em asking you for its name.