A Tribe Called Quest
Patience can be a virtue when listening to the third album by these hip-hop visionaries. At first, Midnight Marauders sounds so (deceptively) low-key that it borders on the monotonous. Granted, Quest—one of the originators of the Afro-centric-neo-bohemian hip-hop that has been the yin to gangsta's yang—has never been in-your-face. Ali Shaheed Mohammed, Pfife and the irrepressible Q-Tip trade in much subtler stock, taking their flavor from jazz and more esoteric sources. If sonic assault is your thing, you're out of luck here. Quest is about what lies underneath the groove. To dig Quest, you have to listen as the steady bass of "Award Tour" or the jump-jump swagger of "Oh My God" sinks in. Tip's deliver is conversational and boyish. Quest's world is slightly stoned, introspective, a little off the wall and trend-free. As a result this isn't an easy record to love instantly, and for fans weaned on booming systems, Quest's MO may take a while to figure out. But be patient, kick back, and your reward will be a rich and deliciously intricate hip-hop experience. (Jive)
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