HUGELY influential, De La Soul's playful blend of rap, funk samples and hip hop sounded unbelievably fresh on their debut 3 Feet High And Rising. When seen in the context of all that has happened since, it remains sunny and melodic. It was a huge smash and numbers such as Eye Know and The Magic Number were accessible, lyrical and danceable. The Long Islands group (Posdnuos, Trugoy and Mase to their fans, along with a host of friends such as Q-Tip) grew sick of the daisy age image - and became hardcore cynics. Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) is a highlight from this time, replete with a sax-driven chorus and exudes alienation, while Stakes Is High betrays a harsher environment as gangster rap took over. Oooh (from Art Official Intelligence in 2000) continues in the same vein, featuring Redman in outspoken form. This compilation is an excellent overview of a distinguished career, although the early sound was never bettered. No new songs, but instead a 'limited edition' bonus disc featuring young admirers such as Common working over old material. It adds little to the legacy, but does demonstrate that the insights and musicality of these older statesmen continues to resonate today.

Updated: 15:05 Thursday, July 03, 2003