De La Soul's 'Cabin in the Sky' Review: A Joyous Return to Hip-Hop's Golden Age
In 1989, a trio from Long Island, New York, released an album that redefined hip-hop. 'Three Feet High and Rising' by De La Soul was a breath of fresh air, offering a unique blend of childlike surrealism, suburban humor, and heartfelt messages of love and understanding. They did this by sampling the smooth funk of Hall & Oates, the polished rock of Steely Dan, and even a jazzy soundtrack from a children's cartoon teaching kids their times tables, 'Multiplication Rock'.
While the late '80s and early '90s are often remembered for acid house and the rise of the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays, De La Soul's rap revolution was equally significant. Their innovative approach paved the way for artists like Beck and Damon Albarn's Gorillaz, who sought to cut and paste from the history of popular music, creating something entirely new.
Despite their groundbreaking work, De La Soul never achieved the massive success they deserved, partly due to legal complications arising from sampling without permission. Despite this, they continued to release albums of varying quality. The passing of founding member Trugoy the Dove (David Jolicoeur) in 2023 marked a significant turning point.
Now, nine years later, De La Soul returns with their first album, paying tribute to Jolicoeur's legacy. The album features tracks recorded by Jolicoeur before his death, augmented by contributions from the remaining members, Vincent Mason and Kelvin Mercer. 'Yuhdontstop' encapsulates the group's philosophy, blending rich orchestral arrangements with funky drum samples to tell a story of staying true to oneself, even in the face of tragedy.
'Cabin in the Sky' offers a delightful blend of joyous hip-hop, reminiscent of the genre's golden age. Tracks like 'The Package' and 'Day in the Sun' showcase the group's signature style, combining brass blasts with children's stories and symphonic soul. De La Soul's legendary status attracts a star-studded guest list, including Killer Mike from Run the Jewels and Yukimi Nagano from Little Dragon.
While the album's length might be a bit excessive, with 20 tracks and a lengthy spoken word intro, it remains a cool, funky, and welcome return to De La Soul's whimsical world. Their music masks a wisdom and positivity that hip-hop has not always been known for, making it a refreshing addition to the genre. It's a testament to their enduring legacy and a reminder of the power of their original vision.
