Description

Jungle Brothers – Done By The Forces Of Nature (2LP Reissue) [Get On Down GET52743]

The Jungle Brothers’ 1988 debut, Straight Out The Jungle, is important for many reasons. It is lo-fi and goofy but had moments of real focus and social consciousness. It is a true kitchen sink record, that caught a rap fanbase enraptured by Eric B. & Rakim, Public Enemy, and Boogie Down Productions a bit off-guard. Also of note, beyond the excellence of the album itself, the Jungle Brothers were the fulcrum for what would become the Native Tongues movement – they came first, De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest followed, under their guidance.

By 1989, the group had even more confidence, plus a Warner Bros. contract and advance in their back pocket. They used it to great advantage on the self-produced and criminally underrated Done By The Forces Of Nature, expanding their sonic palette and continuing their Afrocentric approach to music and life. Singles like “What U Waitin 4” and “Doin Our Own Dang” (with De La Soul and Q-Tip, alongside Monie Love) show the group’s fun side. But things weren’t all fun and games, as deeper, more pensive album tracks like “Black Woman”, “Beeds On A String”, and “Acknowledge Your Own History” show.

It was another accomplished mix of fun, frolic, and knowledge-of-self, proving that you could be serious in the rap game but still let off steam and fill the dancefloor. Done By The Forces Of Nature stands as one of the most cherished hip-hop documents of the late 80s among true-school heads.

Pressed on tri-color double vinyl, packaged in a gatefold jacket with full lyrics and a numbered obi.