Can you release a hip-hop album without cameos from Busta Rhymes and Redman? Will any reputable label allow it?

It's all so strange. De La Soul, once staunch enemies of 'rap and bulls**t' (their phrase), have returned from a four-year absence with Mosaic Thump, the first release of their proposed Art Official Intelligence trilogy. It's an unstable album packed with smoove production, ubiquitous 'special guests' (including the long-lost Busy Bee), several standout tracks, and a computer-generated narrator lifted straight from A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders.

Bumpiness aside, though, Mosaic Thump's freestyle sketches--including an uncredited bit by Phife Dog from ATCQ--continually amaze. As well, they illuminate the potential of the next AOI installment, which is rumored to be an MC battle record. (P.S. Listen close to the freestyle vocal manipulations...trust me.) MC Indeed, a female artist I have never heard, lays waste to her peers on "Set The Mood". Also, it's cool to hear Tash and J-Ro from Tha Alkaholiks guest on the track "My Writes", which finds De La commenting on the state of contemporary hip-hop. And, uh, they aren't content, to say the least.

Lyrically, De La are kings. No one plays with English like they do. Even if you know their verses by heart, there's no way you can decipher all their references and hidden meanings. The fact that, years later, I can still get something out of Buhloone Mind State (any of their albums, really) means more to me than anything.

But here's my main criticism: I skip at least three tracks. I have never dissected any of De La's other albums. I can listen to them straight through, even De La Soul Is Dead, which has its share of difficult moments. Mosaic Thump has some backyard clunkers. "U Can Do (Life)", "Copa (Cabanga)" and "The Art of Getting Jumped" are bogged down by weak beats, cheesy keyboards and a strident attempt blow up and go pop. And I don't know what they were thinking with "Foolin'". Just listen to it. Or, better yet, try to listen to it.

Maybe the disrupted flow is due to the interference of outside producers. Or, I could argue Mosaic Thump is a conscious attempt to sell as many albums as possible. (Even Posdnuos's album credits include a plea for Tommy Boy to not drop the ball on promoting the record.) But I should probably stop riding them so hard.

Then again, De La deftly elude any flack. I'll take their game-tight rhymes, irreverent attitude towards their competitors and mainstream radio, and block party verses that smack of intelligence over any of their so-called competition. Furthermore, their influence on some of the best newer hip-hop troupes (J5, People Under The Stairs, Slum Village, Blackalicious) is obvious.

Don't forget their collaboration with Nightmares On Wax on the Sound of N.O.W. EP.

The new De La Soul joint represents a long awaited repreive from all the nihilistic materialism that has dominated the Hip-Hop scene for far too long. The music is positive, but not preachy. The production is tight and lyrics are sharp. Its clear that they wanted to give the album "mass appeal" because of the guest spots of the commercially accepted Busta and Redman, but they still stayed true to the De La sound. Although this album isn't ground breaking like 3 Feet High and Rising, De La still delivers one of the most banging "Real Hip-Hop" joints of the 2G (along with Common and Dead Prez). I'll be the first to admit that I'm nastalgic for the "old school" days of actual MCing and Deejaying, but if you're like me--sick and tired of garbage put out by Lay-Z, Demented Man X, and the Hot Buffons--go out and immediately cop Art Offical Intelligence.

after all these years, de la soul proved that you could make true hip hop music without resorting to the same tired cliches. i like the fact that they have never subjected themselves to trends and have always made music that came from their mind and heart...their style of rap has spawned countless imitators: arrested development, digable planets, and most recently black eyed peas. but there is only one de la. listen to this and hear why they are still the bomb.

Regretfully, I found myself questioning the content of "Mosaic Thump". First of all, there are way too many cameo's here and not enough "official" De La material. I mean, Busta, Redman, The Beasties, DV Alias Krist, Tash&J-Ro, Freddie Foxxx AND Chaka Khan?? Whew!! With the exception of Redman on "Oooh", most of the other guest spots smother valuable mic time from Plugs 1 & 2. Jay Dee's hyped up rubberband-snap track for "Thru Ya City" would have been better left alone, without DV Alias' annoying hook. Secondly, De La chose to bring aboard more outside production than necessary. The Rockwilder laced "IC Y'all" just comes off like, well, another typical Rockwilder formula track. Supa Dave West supplies a sub-par track too, not even worth going into. I don't mean to completely disrespect this album because, overall, there equally some defining moment. (Namely, "My Writes", "Ooh", "Thru Ya City" and "View"). Especially "View", it just thumps along nicely with a subtle piano loop lingering behind the drum roll and butter bassline, it's mad ill. "Mosaic Thump" is listenable but simply is not all that memorable for a De La Soul project. They've set a standard and it's impossible to expect anything less with each new release. Regardless, I'll always check for De La. Now when can we expect Art Official...Pt. 2 to drop?

I just want to give De La well deserved props for continuing to be uninfluenced by the sad, materialistic, state of rap music today. So many artists from the 'old school' have fallen (not to mention native tongue fam), but Plug 1, 2 and 3 have come out with another solid contribution to the true art form devoid of lexuses, hoes, gut toting, and rabid braggadocious behavior.

It has become clear to this ex-hip hop fanatic that has lost his faith in the music (but not the culture), that the true form is still alive, and is moving the crowd in the form of Black Thought, Common, Pharohe Monch, Mos, Talib, Redman, Gangstarr, and De La Soul.

Almost all the tracks are bonafide, but the best are without a doubt those that Pos and Dove rock by themselves that are in the true tradition of de la like: View, Copa, and Foolin. But also solid are My writes with Catastrophe and Oooh, the first single. Pos is no doubt among the best lyricists in the industry, and he proves it again. But i will admit that this CD does not match the love of Stakes is High (da Bizness and Itzsoweezee), probably because of the splattering of guests appearances that often do not add to the quality of the album. But production is tight of course, and lyrically, there is enough for the true De La fans to drool over. They finally gave Mace his own track, too. i wont say he should stick to spinning (oops, I just did), but he without a doubt accumulated some skills from hanging around with Wonder Why and Trugoy for the past 20 years. 4 stars