I would have to agree with a previous comment about the recording not being so great. Listening in my car, I notice that in the middle of some songs that the bass suddenly starts to hit harder - like someone actually realized that the recording isn't balanced out - then it goes back to it's weak backing track (the levels, not the music itself). If it was "recorded off the soundboard" like many live albums, it would have been a six star review. The levels just don't do the work justice.

I saw De La Soul many years ago in the Detroit area at a place called The Magic Bag. The performance they gave was literally one of the best I've ever experienced. It also helped that it was one of the smallest venues I've ever went to - very up-close and personal. After the show, they hung out on the stage and met everyone that wanted to come and talk. Name more than a handful of artists that will do that anymore.

All-in-all, the music is great - but the recording is flawed. Even then, I still can't stop listening to it. My biggest disappointment of the whole album is that Oodles of O's isn't rapped as hard as they did at The Bag. They added a whole new dimension to that song that night. Think Posdnous meets Mystikal...

i have been a de la fan for some time now...this is good for a live rap album. the recording's sound quality could be better, but that can be said for most live recordings.

I prefer live music over studio recording any day. The sound may be uneven at times but it makes you feel like you are there. Its fun and entertaining like a real show would be. They put a few twists on their songs. I never have been able to go to a De La show.. yet.. and this is about as close as i can come to one right now.

De La Soul is Dead is my favorite (back then i had the tape!)...of them but this has got to be my #2. I have already worn out 2 discs and approaching to buy my 3rd.

yes i am hard on the discs i love!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the De La had some beef with the label under which this cd was released (Tommy Boy). I know that they've started their own label (AOI records?) so that they could have more creative control- which is exciting. This CD could be Tommy Boy's last attempt to make some money off Plugs.

I agree with the above- I would have liked this CD alot, oh, 6 years ago when these were still new songs. Proof that record companies are just run by idiots. Hooray for the new label and new tracks.

Well, I've been a fan since 88-89 and I will say this is a solid lp. I would have given it 5 stars but I've heard all of the songs before, it was recorded in 96,and I thought live instruments would be playing in the background. I would LOVE to see a DvD release of this performance.

Native Tongues were represented except for A Tribe Called Quest (Q-tip & Phife on "Buddy") I think De la waited too late to release this live lp. Eight years is a lifetime in hip hop but it goes to show that good hip hop never changes. The late 80's and early 90's a good time for hip hop, the goldern era if you will. Tribe, De la , and the J'beez were trendsetters in the game and in my opinion they still are. Look at the J'beez now. They are totally in left field with their music now (check out J'beez third lp-- J'beez wit the remedy/in my opinion was way ahead of its time-recorded in 93.).

This live lp should be used as a blueprint for all true emcees. The true emcee doesn't look for gliz and glam. They simply want to move the crowd. De la soul doesn't have to go platinum or have another hit lp as far as I'm concern because their track record speaks for itself.

Okay, if you love DE LA, get it. If you don't own a DE LA lp and love hip hop music, get it. Guest appearances: Common, Mos Def, and the Jungle Brothers. Oh I forgot, One thing. Some of the music is hard to hear in the background. Maybe it was my cd player or maybe because it was a live recording. I'm not sure but I would definitely recommend the lp to all De la Soul lovers.

Just to note, my favorite De la lp is De la Soul is Dead. A true hip hop classic.