Power in Numbers [Clean]

Editorial Reviews
From URB Magazine
With their sing-along hooks, Cold Crush harmonizing and cutesy stage antics, it's easy to understand why Jurassic 5 have had such an easy time finagling their indie props and old-school sound into sizable mainstream success. J5 will never be confused with the newest, flashiest or most radical crew, and knowing themselves and their limitations has always been part of their appeal.

The flipside of this is that it tends to stunt one's growth, and many felt that J5's debut, Quality Control, seemed limited by formula, vision and an adherence to throwback aesthetics. In contrast, the excellent Power in Numbers finds the group inching toward the future with a fuller sound and different looks. "Freedom" finds them in a stern pose, lashing at those who phone it in, 2na chiding, "Got people screaming, 'Free Mumia Jamal'/But two out of three of y'all will probably be at the mall. " "Thin Line" is J5's obligatory "You Got Me" moment, an F-word ballad pinned down by Nelly Furtado and the ghosts of Minnie Riperton and Charles Stepney. Far better is the stunning "Hey," a contribution from upstart production duo Shafiyq and Omas that saunters hazily in summer heat. In a particularly good year for nostalgic 1989 soundalikes, "A Day At the Races" just might claim champion sound with its throwback bass line and guest legend Percee P's breath-defying fast rap. Anachronistic or not, Jurassic 5's newest is a feel-good protest against a cynical culture, and that may be the most progressive act of all.

Hua Hsu

Power in Numbers,Jurassic 5,Interscope Records,Alternative Rap,Hip-Hop,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop,Underground Rap

Tracks:

This Is
Freedom
If You Only Knew
Break
React
A Day At The Races (feat. Big Daddy Kane & Percy P)
Remember His Name
What's Golden
Thin Line (feat. Nelly Furtado)
After School Special
High Fidelity
Sum Of Us
DDT
One Of Them (Feat. JuJu of the Beatnuts)
Hey
I Am Somebody
Acetate Prophets

Amazon.com

Two years after Jurassic 5's debut album, Quality Control, proved that B-boy-oriented retro-rap doesn't have to be corny, the six-member crew (four MCs and two DJs) seems to be gearing up for the revolution. While fans of Quality Control's bright sound will still find much to enjoy here, J5's sophomore offering does a good job at extending their sound. Opening with "Freedom," a quiet yet focused call to action, Power in Numbers presents a slightly darker vision of hip-hop nirvana than the group offered first time around. In keeping with the album's title, J5 has also expanded its crew--Percy P. (of the early-90s underground group, Double XX Posse) and Big Daddy Kane help wreck the G Rap-esque "A Day at the Races," and the always game alterna-diva, Nelly Furtado, lends a surprisingly effective pop edge to the bouncy "Thin Line." On the production end of things, Juju of the Beatnuts adds his special blend of Colombian madness to the jazzy "If You Only Knew" and the considerably bleaker "One of Them." --Rebecca Levine

Customer Reviews:

the only GOOD rap band!.......2006-07-09

wicked album guys. Got a pre release version of this with a blue cover and DVD and errors on the track listing due to the time limit of a couple of songs. Nelly Furtado guest stars on one of the songs! This is an awesome old school politically orientated rap band who care for our planet. Theve got a new album coming out soon as well. So i guess "Stay Tuned"

Not *as* good as "Quality Control", but it's still an awesome rap album by J5!.......2006-01-14

Even though I like "Quality Control" a lot more, their follow-up, "Power In Numbers", is still a great rap album that you definitely ought to check out. It follows relatively the same formula as their debut, although the songs don't seem as inspired or creative as they did on "Quality Control". However, there are 17 tracks here, and all of them are good-if-not-great. Rappers Akil, Zaakir, Marc 7even and Chali 2na are a tad worse than they were on "Quality Control" (they feel less natural), but they're still great and extremely appealing. They still have that oldschool flow and delivery that is severaly missed in today's rap scene. Lyrically the songs are always a lot of fun to listen to, and some of the songs are even quotable. The lyrics are definitely fun to memorize and sing. Musically it's a little different sounding than "Quality Control", but the producer here still has a good eye for great hooks and beats. Though every song here is good, there are definitely several stand-out songs here which I would argue bump the album's rating up - "Sum Of Us", "High Fidelity", "Remember His Name" and "A Day At The Races", for example, are GREAT rap songs that are very very memorable. I'm pretty sure that within one or two listens that you'll either have these stuck in your head or that you'll remember them forever. Basically folks, if you like rap or Jurassic 5 then "Power In Numbers" is another classic album by this classic group. Absolutely recommended!

Highlights include:
"Sum Of Us"
"Remember His Name"
"A Day At The Races"
"High Fidelity"
"Break"
"If You Only Knew"
"What's Golden"
the rest are good or decent

Great Music. Classic.......2005-12-06

If you don't have this album, you need to get this. Buy it, don't download it. Everyone needs to support good hip hop like this. Man, I first heard this at the end of 2002 I was captivated. The beats are a little grimier than the first ablum and the LP, but they still have that true hip hop sound, no club banger from that garbage 50 cent. The rhymes are clever and these guys mesh so well together. The rhymes are great, whether in a love/friendship story in Thin Line, to battle lyrics in One of Them, to old school flavord lyrics in A Day At the Races. They have great guests too. Legends Percee P, and Big Daddy Kane shine in A Day At The Races. They both showed that they still have it. Ju Ju spits fire at all of the glitz and glam mc's in One of Them (which thinking about it is pretty funny because the Beatnuts seem to be gearing towards that direction.) And a supriser, Nelly Furtado, pop superstar fits well in the song Thin Line. Get this, this group is in the same breath as both old school mc's in A Day At the Races, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu Tang, you get the picture.

Sexy Music.......2005-10-21

This is easily one of the best hip-hop albums I've ever heard. No one is out of place in the group. Jurassic 5 really gets back to the old school of big daddy kane and public enemy. Not only do their words have substance but the rhymes are on point! If you like cheap ghetto rap like g-unit or jay z with the catchy hooks, this ain't the album for you!

I hate hip hop.......2005-08-13

To correct myself, it's a love/hate relationship. I grew up on Run DMC and The Beastie Boys, but I quickly lost interest in hip hop during the Mase, Puff Daddy and Biggy days. From that point to now, with all of the commercial so-called "gangster rap" and "durty south", I can easily tell you it's garbage. Because of the trash that soars through the hip hop mainstream, true noble rap has been forced underground.

Now take Jurassic 5, Power in Numbers, and you have great, true to the art form hip hop that sits next to Del, Hieroglyphics, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and DJ Quik. This album specifically, Power in Numbers, is an awesome follow up to Quality Control, one of my favorite albums. Although not as good as Quality Control, is an amazing sophomore product. The two DJ's don't fail to push out great old school beats whilst 4 MC's synthesize rhymes and kinetic flow over subjects more interesting than hoes and shooting people.

If you love rock, and hate hip hop, but have enough guts to find out what the hip hop underground is all about, pick up this album and help the rest of us enthusiasts bring the art back.

Summary: This album is a must-own.

Power in Numbers (Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD)

Average customer rating:

Throw-back feel with a new-school approach
Oh how I LOVE this album
HEY! This album's golden.
its Aight
Dope Old-Schoolers

Power in Numbers (Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD)
Jurassic 5
Manufacturer: Interscope Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

West Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Quality Control
Feedback
Jurassic 5 LP
Fish Market: The Official Mixtape
Feedback

ASIN: B00006L3JL
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

This Is
Freedom
If You Only Knew
Break
React
A Day At The Races (feat. Big Daddy Kane & Percy P)
Remember His Name
What
Thin Line (feat. Nelly Furtado)
After School Special
High Fidelity
Sum Of Us
DDT
One Of Them (Feat. JuJu of the Beatnuts)
Hey
I Am Somebody
Acetate Prophets

Amazon.com

Two years after Jurassic 5's debut album, Quality Control, proved that B-boy-oriented retro-rap doesn't have to be corny, the six-member crew (four MCs and two DJs) seems to be gearing up for the revolution. While fans of Quality Control's bright sound will still find much to enjoy here, J5's sophomore offering does a good job at extending their sound. Opening with "Freedom," a quiet yet focused call to action, Power in Numbers presents a slightly darker vision of hip-hop nirvana than the group offered first time around. In keeping with the album's title, J5 has also expanded its crew--Percy P. (of the early-'90s underground group, Double XX Posse) and Big Daddy Kane help wreck the G Rap-esque "A Day at the Races," and the always game alterna-diva, Nelly Furtado, lends a surprisingly effective pop edge to the bouncy "Thin Line." On the production end of things, Juju of the Beatnuts adds his special blend of Colombian madness to the jazzy "If You Only Knew" and the considerably bleaker "One of Them." --Rebecca Levine

Customer Reviews:

Throw-back feel with a new-school approach.......2003-09-01

Jurassic 5 is one of a number of hip-hop groups out right now attempting to rekindle the vibe of the early 90's, and they are probally doing it best. If you are looking for "lyrically lyrical lyrics," this may not be for you; however, all 5 emcees come of with great flows that fit perfectly into what they are trying to do. And you know Cut Chemist and DJ Numark are providing the heat when it comes to beats. This ish is so good, you won't even mind the Nelly Furtado appearance.

Oh how I LOVE this album.......2003-08-27

I'll admit that, after an intense love affair with hip-hop during my teen years, we fell out over the soulless gangsta and pop rap that's permeated the charts for the last decade. Of late, however, three groups have helped me rediscover why I fell in love with this music: The Roots, Outkast and Jurassic 5. This is the first album I bought by J5, and I simply adore it. At times playful (If You Only Knew), at other times deadly serious (A Day at the Races, Remember His Name), and often outright catchy (What's Golden, Thin Line), this album appeals to hip-hop heads of all shapes, sizes and tastes. The overall feel is communal and energetic: the listener can sing along, dance, or contemplate via headphones. J5 want you engaged, and over these 17 tracks, the six-man crew make it happen with tight wordplay, quicksilver flow, judicious samples and heady production, giving lapsed listeners like me a reason to love hip-hop again.

Key Tracks: "Freedom", "A Day at the Races", "Remember His Name", "What's Golden", "Thin Line", "High Fidelity", "One of Them"

This version also contains a DVD featuring J5 behind the scenes.

HEY! This album's golden........2003-04-17

Yes you get a dvd and I say so frikkin what to that. Just make sure that the quality of the dvd is good and the fans won't complain one bit and also the fact that the album has to be a good one. Surprisingly the free DVD might throw you off to not buying it since your probably thinking it some gimmick but Jurassic 5 are a talented bunch of young lads. The beats Cut Chemist creates are beautiful and some are totally out of this world. The dvd is okay since it showcases some of the members going through daily life in the town where they live and recorded this album! Overall a very good buy for serious music collectors of the hip hop genre. This is a good one but I recommend Quality Control , which is the groups debut LP and is just as good, if not, even better than this one but this album is still good and worth the buy

its Aight.......2003-04-02

this cd is alright. its good but not spectacular. i personally expected more outta them. good songs are "if i only knew", "whats golden", "a day at the races", "thin line feat. nelly furtado" and "remember his name"

Dope Old-Schoolers.......2003-03-31

Jurassic 5 don't have exceptional talent. They aren't very original. Listening to their CDs isn't exactly a thought-provoking experience. But they do provide you with a refreshing change of pace and a break from all the industry problems and politics involved in gangsta rap. They just kick rhymes and play with beats and don't pretend to do anything else. This CD is a good listen.

For those who aren't familiar with J5, they consist of four MCs (Akil, Chali 2na, Zaakir, Marc 7) and two DJs (Nu-Mark, Cut Chemist). The MCs are all pretty talented. Their voices, both in unison and apart, work almost like instruments to change the sound of the rapping. It has a nice effect. I have to say Chali 2na outshines all the rest, with his deep voice and fantastic flow (check Sum of Us), but all the rest are good, too. Sometimes Akil and Zaakir are hard to tell apart, but both have skills. Marc 7 has a more breathy voice, and I've heard he's releasing a solo record.

Lyrically, this album has good content and variety. Some songs have political messages, such as Freedom, I Am Somebody, and Sum of Us, which has the best flows on the album. Some songs are just kicking old-school rhymes. This includes Break, High Fidelity, After School Special, and Day At the Races, feat. Big Daddy Kane and Percy P. What We Do is telling you J5's goal, which is basically just to make good music from way back when. Thin Line explores the line between friendship and love, and Remember His Name is a good story about a brother who made some bad choices and suffered bad consequences. What's Golden is kind of just kicking rhymes, but mixes it with some gangsta rap disses. Hey is good to just chill to. One of Them gets special mention because it's a rather unexpected diss to all the gangsta rappers who just go on camera and act tough. It makes some good points, but I don't like it that much. The tone is a little too angry, which doesn't suit J5. When they cuss and try to sound angry, they come off as a little corny. Also, the verses are more just split up into a series of one-liners. Dark beat. The remaining tracks are just DJ tracks, with one OK freestyle. There are no wack tracks on here. It's enjoyable throughout the CD.

The production is split between Nu-Mark, Cut Chemist, and a couple of guest stars. Personally, I prefer Nu-Mark. He has more variety. He just thinks up a cool melody that suits the tone of the song and puts it on there, without too much sampling. He gets most of the tracks in the middle; the best tracks in my opinion. Cut Chemist gets some tracks at the beginning and end, but I get the feeling he just likes the mess around with beats. He isn't consistent. He likes to change the beat around in the middle of the song, and does some weird sampling. I can't really get into it the way it changes, becaues as soon as I adjust to a beat it switches, so it never really feels complete. He only produces four or five real songs. The others are just DJ tracks. He just likes to play around, especially with drums. Juju of the Beatnuts produces One of Them and What We Do. What We Do is a soulful and jazzy flute/piano beat, and possibly the best on the album. One of Them is OK, a little dark. I forget who the other guest producer is, but he does Hey. He captures the dreamy "just chill" feel that makes the song great. The last track is a DJ duet between Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist. It's fun to listen to sometimes, but I prefer lyrics. All good beats that compliment the rappers perfectly.

I don't know what else to say. These are the dope old-schoolers. This is what I listen to if I'm in a good mood just to nod my head to. Good old-fashioned rhyming. Somehow, you can just tell all the MCs are nice guys who can rhyme. The DVD tells you more about their personalities and it helps you tell them all apart, which confused me at first. This isn't very serious or hardcore music, nor does it pretend to be, but if you want happy, light-hearted rhymes and beats, this is for you.

Tracks:

This Is
Freedom
If You Only Knew
Break
React
A Day At The Races (feat. Big Daddy Kane & Percy P)
Remember His Name
What
Thin Line (feat. Nelly Furtado)
After School Special
High Fidelity
Sum Of Us
DDT
One Of Them (Feat. JuJu of the Beatnuts)
Hey
I Am Somebody
Acetate Prophets

Customer Reviews:

POSERS.......2005-03-01

The people who wrote this review are stupid posers who cannot by the parental advisory J5 because they are to young, do me a favor and don't even try to listen to J5 or any other kind of underground because you guys are stupid little posers.

pure skill.......2002-11-10

the jurassic 5 should be and are in my book ledgens.This album is the best i heard so far.

pire skill.......2002-11-10

the jurassic 5 should be and are in my book ledgens.This album is the best i heard so far.

Strength in Numbers: Metal World News Sampler, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Strength in Numbers: Metal World News Sampler, Vol. 2
Strip Mind , Life Sex & Death , Green Apple Quick Step , Revolting Cocks , BulletBoys , Morbid Angel , Rhino Bucket , The Power Trio From Hell , Altered State , and Gary Hoey
Manufacturer: Warner Bros. Records / Reprise
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000RRI10C

Product Description

1993 samplers released by Warner Bros. Records in 1993. Track list: 1. Strip Mind "Kill Me" (3:42), 2. Life Sex & Death "Is It My Body - Non Album Track" (3:55), 3. Candlebox "Arrow" (3:13), 4. Vince Neil "Set Me Free" (4:04), 5. BulletBoys "When Pigs Fly" (3:58), 6. Green Apple Quick Step "Bottle" (4:56), 7. Revolting Cocks "Sergio - Guitar Demo Version" (6:31), 8. Morbid Angel "Rapture" (4:17), 9. Babes in Toyland "He's My Thing" (2:55), 10. The Power Trio From Hell "We Are One" (5:37), 11. Tad "Grease Box" (3:53), 12. Altered State "Made of Gasoline" (2:50), 13. Gary Hoey "Hocus Pocus" (4:06), and 14. Rhino Bucket "Sights Too High - Demo Version" (4:10).