Jurassic 5 - Power In Numbers

All the elements are still there: their love of the DJ culture that helped pioneer hip-hop, their almost Motown-styled multiple MC delivery, and their refusal to let go of the "yes ya'll" years of rap. Jurassic 5 thrives on its ability to cleverly and creatively grab from past influences. It's that ability that allows them to continue to produce great music. Appropriation or homage, look at it however you like. While Power In Numbers features cuts that J5 fans will instantly relate with, it seems as a group they are attempting to break new ground. Power In Numbers introduces itself with very little gusto. The set opens with "Freedom", which could use a shot or two of adrenaline. If it's one thing that a hip-hop album needs it's a hot opening track - see "The Influence" from Quality Control. "If You Only Knew" picks up the pace with bouncy, jazzy piano and fluttery flute samples, packaged with a catchy-enough hook. It's the fourth cut, "Break", a ramped up DJ anthem, that begins the best run of the entire album. The interlude, "React", then segues into "A Day At The Races", two cuts with absolutely blazing bass lines. The next track, "Remember His Name", is probably the most original J5 track yet - a mid-tempo romp based around phone conversations between each member of the band. J5 then establish "What's Golden" as the catchiest track of the group, and, by no twist of fate, the single. To close out the run, "Thin Line", featuring vocals by Nelly Furtado, is a cryptic love song about a forbidden relationship. Throughout the remainder of the album, keep an ear peeled for bump of "Sum of Us" and the pleasantly soothing "Hey", but nothing competes with the 6 tracks that make up the middle of the album. Power In Numbers is a strong album. Yet, it is weak in a few places - namely, the fuming verses behind "One of Them" that lash out at other rappers in a style uncharacteristic to Jurassic 5's somewhat positive attitude, and the relatively mellow opener. Regardless, it's still Jurassic 5. Nu Mark and Cut Chemist throw out the jams and Chali 2na, Zaakir, Marc 7 and Akil know exactly what to do with them. [www.jurassic5.com]