INTERSCOPE RECORDS Jurassic 5 from left, Nu-mark, Zaakir (Soup), Chali 2na, Akil, Cut Chemist and Mark 7.

‘Power’ full of punch
for Jurassic 5

By Gary C.W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.com

"Power in Numbers" Jurassic 5 Interscope

The Los Angeles-based MC and DJ team Jurassic 5 blows up big time with this followup to its successful major label debut "Quality Control."

Fans of the group always knew the guys had major skills when performing live, but this studio effort showcases the crew at its highest level of creativity, with not a bad cut in the mix to throw off the flow.

The disc's title, "Power in Numbers," has held true throughout the group's existence. Jurassic 5 was originally a collective of two groups: The Unity Collective, comprising rappers Chali 2na, Marc 7 and master DJ Cut Chemist, and The Rebels of Rhythm, with rappers Zaakir (Soup) and Akil (another excellent DJ, Nu-Mark, is part of the Jurassic team).

Everyone in Jurassic 5 throws it down with authority, backed up by an old-school savvy and command for dynamic and smoothly executed solo and group raps, innovative beats and straight-up bravado with an eye toward social and racial progressiveness and unity.

Basically, it's more of the same and then some -- and the "then some" is sooo good! The four rappers are still strong as ever, but it's Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist who step it up, taking the DJ skill of creating slammin' new beats and sounds from old vinyl records to a whole new level.

You can really hear it in the album-closing "Acetate Prophets," a veritable tour of sounds from 'round the world, that ends up in Mama Africa. It's a masterful demonstration of their formidable skills.

The two DJs also help out on the production end of the new album. Nu-Mark adds a driving funky organ and drums groove to the leadoff single/video "What's Golden," "High Fidelity" that is nothing but grade-A prime 5 and a great slice-of-street-life cut called "Remember His Name."

But leave it to the visionary Cut Chemist to take it over the top, from "Break," a basic MC-with-a-DJ track done to such perfection that it's just the sweetest ear candy, to the fast rapping pleasure of "A Day at the Races" (with guests Percy P and Big Daddy Kane) and the strong retro soul/funk exhortation of "I Am Somebody."

And when it comes to taking some of the more negative elements of hip-hop to task, leave it to Jurassic 5 to talk the talk and walk the walk.

"Sum of Us" takes on "flava of the month" rappers and the 5 really take on the hardcore ghetto gangsta wannabes on an especially dark and accusatory "One of Them."

But for the first time, Jurassic 5 is also revealing a more soulful and sensitive (if still strong) side of their music. "If You Only Knew" has a jazzy vibe with especially adept rapping by Akil, Chali 2na, Zaakir (Soup) and Marc 7, revealing the trials and tribulations they've gone through over the years, although "don't mistake us for a corny-ass group ... we're real people, homie, just like you."

The real ear-opener, however, is "Thin Line," a heart-smart lesson in friendship between the sexes featuring a guest turn by J5 fan Nelly Furtado.

"Power in Numbers" has already made it into my "Albums of the Year" list, and it should make yours, too.

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