A lasting classic from Digable Planets, and a record that really helped push the bar forward for hip hop at the time – at a level that's still kept this one strong all these many years later! Digable Planets weren't the first group to bring in some influence from jazz to their work – but they definitely found the right balance here, and a way
of setting things up that was real and organic, instead
of maybe just a nodding reference to the past that always felt a bit out
of place. The use
of live instrumentation next to samples is also key to the record's sound – common now, but pretty important at the time, especially in a
world of declining sample access. The trio
of Butterfly, Ladybug, and Doodlebug have a wonderful way
of tripping through the lyrics – and titles include "The May 4th Movement Starring Doodlebug", "Black Ego", "Dog It", "Jettin", "Borough Check", "Highing Fly", "Dial 7", "The Art
Of Easing", "KBs Alley", "Graffiti", "Blowing Down", "9th Wonder", and "For
Corners".