(Sanctuary Records)
Hip-hop elder statesmen De La Soul have returned once again with their first album since 2001's \Bionix,"" the second installment of the Art Official Intelligence series. AOI was supposed to be a three album series, but Tommy Boy scrapped it and De La changed record labels to release an album. Though it's disconcerting to see business issues prevent the completion of the rock solid AOI series, De La Soul manages to shake off the industry blues to drop a good record with The Grind Date.
One of the first things that the listener will notice about this album is the impressive list of producers brought in, extending a trend that began with their last album. Indie superproducer Madlib drops by and lends his efforts to two tracks, including the catchy ""Shopping Bag."" Here, each emcee derides gold-digging, shopaholic women. J-Dilla (aka Jay Dee) helps out De La for the third consecutive album with ""Verbal Clap"" and ""One Mor."" The former features the classic J-Dilla sound and is a straight forward, grimy hip-hop track. The latter has more of an R&B feel and a positive tone which also works well for the album. Perhaps hip-hop's most prominent rising producer at this time is Little Brother's 9th Wonder, who is all over indie hip-hop and was even featured on Jay-Z's ""The Black Album."" He comes through with ""Church,"" where De La rides 9th's vocal-induced soulful beat with inspiration to spare.
But even with the impressive list of recognizable producers, it's slightly lesser-known Jake One who arguably comes through with the two best beats of the album. The first is the ultra-smooth ""Days of Our Lives."" Here, Common joins De La and lends a nice verse over tight-knit strings and piano loops. Even more impressive, though, is the instant headnodder ""Rock Co.Kane Flow."" Jake One mixes an infectious vocal chorus with thumping piano sounds, slowing down and speeding up the production throughout the song, increasing the bump quotient of the track in the process. Ever popular M.F Doom lends two tight verses to this masterpiece, forcing the listener to hit the rewind button over and over again.
Though their recent release is filled with guest production and emcees (including Ghostface on ""He Comes""), De La Soul never quite allow themselves to be overshadowed. Their positive and inspirational sound has become a formula for success, spanning over 15 years and generating an automatic assurance of quality. Maseo, Pos and Dave are always able to grind out a solid album. The Grind Date is just further proof.
