Frenchy’s Fracas

General Description
Artist/Band: The Jungle Brothers
Album Title: Straight Out The Jungle
Year: 1988

Original Native Tongue, Humor and Heart

How I Got Into This Music
Just like with De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, the Jungle Brothers arrived on the rap scene like a breath of fresh air. I discovered the group as the third part of the Native Tongues group. Their approach was their own distinctive mix of fun and seriousness. Calling your band like that meant you knew how to use words, associations and perceptions. I remember taping the album and playing it for days and days..

Album credits at ArtistsDirect.com
|| Lyrics at Song-teksten.com

Tracks that got my attention:

Straight out the Jungle
Man.. Just the opening: the scratch, the beat and African chants.. And then the smooth flowing rap. The nasty Melly Melle’s “The Message” mention, perfect!
Men killing men just because of one’s color
In this lifetime, I’ve seen nothing dumber

What’s Going On?
Still remember playing this at home for a mate of mine (Oomen-chama) to listen to. His reaction to this track was that of pure indignation: How can they sample Marvin Gaye?!? You just don’t do that!!
I then realized a coupla things, first off: I was almost 20 and still hadn’t listen to Marvin Gaye’s work.
Second, people can really get worked up by the use of samples..
The track itself still is one of my all-time favorites: a totally different take on the question of a black identity in the US. Showing the problems without blaming others and a great way of changing a popular children’s prayer:
Now I lay me down to sleep
I give the Lord for my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
Take me to Heaven cuz I need a break

Black Is Black
Judged by both my race and colour
Don’t you know we need each other
There’s no way I can explain how strongly I felt about what was said on this track. It’s incredible how you can identify with a situation you’ve never ever really been in.. The lyrics rule this song, but the whole musical setup is also very good, especially that out of the blue sample of Prince’s Controversy at the end.
I went out of my mind trying to find out where the sample used in the chorus came from (remember, boyz-n-girlz, there was no Internet back then..). So I went to a DJ I knew and just started singing that bit, not caring if I was making a damn fool of myself. The answer: Gil Scott-Heron with “The Bottle”!

Jimbrowski
Okay, after all that serious stuff, some fine and funny material about.. uhm.. well.. How can I explain it? Just read or listen to the lyrics, it’s obvious, heheh.. Good luck finding the lyrics on the net btw ;o)

I’m Gonna Do You
Ooooh.. the laziest beat with the sweetest nasty-assed lyrics ever!!
You said you have a boyfriend, but like you said, he is a boy
I am the real thing and he is just a toy
Something that you pick, play with and put down
But girl, you can have me all year round

I’ll House You
Still their biggest hit ever, one of the first rap-n-house (original track’s by Royal House, can’t remember the title though..) hybrids and also still one of the best! Another mate of mine (TomTom) and me knew the lyrics by heart and no one would be safe while we sang along this one!
Feel the vibe, feel the vibe, feel the bass

On The Run
Love the bass groove on this track. And that break halfway the song, love it!

Behind the Bush
Crazy smooth love track. And with “love” I mean the making thereof..

Because I Got it Like That

Can’t remember the original track for the beat loop, okay song..

Conclusion
No gold chains or crotch grabbing stances, but intelligent positive afro-centric music and lyrics.
Without taking the sell-out road or the “by any means necessary” path, these guys knew how to put together a fantastic combo of a great party atmosphere with conscious social commentary.
The last three-four tracks are just a bit below par, which is why it didn’t get into my “Favorites” category, but this still is one of the influential rap albums in my collection.

Rating: (and a lil’ bit more)

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