Done by the Forces of Nature

Last updated
Done by the Forces of Nature
JungleBrothersDoneBytheForcesofNature.jpg
Studio album by
Jungle Brothers
ReleasedNovember 7, 1989
Recorded1989
Genre Golden age hip hop
Length60:07
Label Warner Bros. Records
Producer Jungle Brothers, Kool DJ Red Alert (exec.)
Jungle Brothers chronology
Straight out the Jungle
(1988)		Done by the Forces of Nature
(1989)		 J Beez wit the Remedy
(1993)

Done by the Forces of Nature is the second studio album by American hip hop group Jungle Brothers, released on November 7, 1989, by Warner Bros. Records. [1] Recording sessions for the album took place in 1989 at Calliope Studios in New York City, and production was handled by the Jungle Brothers. [2] It was mixed at Apollo Studios by Kool DJ Red Alert and the Jungle Brothers. [2] The album's title may refer to a line from the Bhagavad Gita , a Hindu scripture, wherein Krishna says, "Those who are deluded by the illusive power (Maya) of Nature become attached to the work done by the forces of nature," 3:28.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Done by the Forces of Nature peaked at number 46 on Billboard 's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It also received rave reviews from music critics who praised its Afrocentric themes, clever lyrics, house-influenced production, and eclectic sampling of music genres such as jazz, R&B, funk, and African music. Done by the Forces of Nature has been considered a golden age hip hop classic, as well as one of the greatest and influential hip hop albums of all time. In 1998, it was included in The Source magazine's "100 Best Albums" list.

Recording

Recording sessions for the album took place in 1989 at Calliope Studios in New York City, and production was handled by the Jungle Brothers. [2] It was mixed at Apollo Studios by Kool DJ Red Alert and the Jungle Brothers. [2]

Reception and legacy

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [3]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [5]
NME 10/10 [6]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Spin Alternative Record Guide 7/10 [10]
The Village Voice A [11]

In a positive review for Spin magazine, Greg Tate hailed Done by the Forces of Nature as an innovative hip house production and, "a nonstop groove-a-think where sexist spectacle commingles with love paeans to the sistuhs, where safaris into Afro-centricity are made to house you." [12] Robert Tanzilo from the Chicago Tribune called it "one of the brightest records of the year". [3] Los Angeles Times critic Duff Marlowe praised the album's diverse sound and lyrical themes, including social consciousness and individual self-realization. [4] He wrote that the Jungle Brothers "present a vision of urbanized naturalism, a subversive and funky anti-intellectualism". [4] Steve Morse of The Boston Globe called the album "some seriously intense music that makes the commercial raps of Tone-Loc and DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince sound like a child's play". [13] Peter Watrous from The New York Times observed lyrical allusions to hip hop and African-American culture that are "enriching an always solid dance beat". [14]

In Rolling Stone , Michael Azerrad praised the Jungle Brothers' lyrical substance and said their "positive, spiritual vibe (a direct descendant of Earth, Wind and Fire's) is as hip as their music". [8] Yahoo! Music's Brett Anderson described it as the Jungle Brothers' "stab at edutainment". [15] Steve Huey from AllMusic praised the album's eclectic sound and sampling of music genres such as jazz, R&B, and African music. [1] In comparing the album to the Jungle Brothers' landmark debut album, Straight out the Jungle (1988), Huey wrote that Done by the Forces of Nature "feels more realized in many respects, and is arguably the more satisfying listen". [1] French newspaper Le Monde called the album "brilliant". [16] Robert Christgau of The Village Voice found its sound "as original as De La Soul's, and the dreams of pleasure are straight out the urban jungle":

Somehow these young Afro-New Yorkers have evolved a rap version of urban African pop at its most life-affirming: the boasts low-key, the propaganda beyond hostility, the samples evoking everything tolerant and humane in recent black-music memory, this is music designed to comfort and sustain. [11]

The album has been considered a classic of hip hop's golden age and one of the most influential albums in hip hop. [17] [18] It has also been described by critics as an "underrated classic". [17] [19] Michael Azerrad, writing in Trouser Press , said that it was "largely overlooked," but is "one of rap's finest hours" with a "highly musical hip-hop" that "radiates upbeat spirituality". [20] The Chicago Tribune's Rick Reger called it a "masterpiece ... one of hip-hop's most imaginative, engaging records". [21] In retrospect, Rolling Stone's Nathan Brackett wrote "At their prime in the late '80s, the Jungle Brothers reflected all of hip-hop's potential – their second album, 1989's spiritual, street-wise Done by the Forces of Nature, was as conscious as it was funky and stands out as one of the most overlooked rap albums of that decade." [22] In The New Rolling Stone Album Guide , Peter Relic comments that the "Jungle Brothers were ahead of their time" with the album and cites the track "Doin' Our Own Dang" as "the definitive Native Tongues posse cut". [9] Rolling Stone placed the album thirty-seventh on its list of "The 50 Coolest Records". [23] In 1998, Done by the Forces of Nature was included in The Source 's "100 Best Albums" list. [24] The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die . [25]

Track listing

All songs composed by the Jungle Brothers, except "Doin' Our Own Dang", which was composed by De La Soul, the Jungle Brothers, Q-Tip, and Monie Love.

  1. "Beyond This World" – 4:08
  2. "Feelin' Alright" – 3:35
  3. "Sunshine" – 3:44
  4. "What U Waitin' 4?" – 4:02
  5. "U Make Me Sweat" – 3:59
  6. "Acknowledge Your Own History" (with Vinia Mojica) – 3:38
  7. "Belly Dancin' Dina" – 3:41
  8. "Good Newz Comin'" – 4:37
  9. "Done by the Forces of Nature" (with Jungle DJ Towha Towha) – 3:47
  10. "Beeds on a String" – 3:32
  11. "Tribe Vibes" (with KRS-One) – 3:53
  12. "J. Beez Comin' Through" – 3:32
  13. "Black Woman" (with Caron Wheeler) – 3:54
  14. "In Dayz 2 Come" – 3:54
  15. "Doin' Our Own Dang" (with De La Soul, Queen Latifah, Q-Tip, and Monie Love) – 4:16
  16. "Kool Accordin' "2" a Jungle Brother" – 1:55

(*)The European version has "Doin' Our Own Dang (Do It To The JB's Mix)" as track 1 and "What U Waitin' 4? (Jungle Fever Mix)" as track 5, replacing the versions of those songs on the other release.

Charts

Chart (1990)Peak
position
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [26] 84
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [27] 50
UK Albums (OCC) [28] 41
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [29] 46

Personnel

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>3 Feet High and Rising</i> 1989 studio album by De La Soul

3 Feet High and Rising is the debut studio album by the American hip hop group De La Soul, released on February 6, 1989, by Tommy Boy Records. It was the first of three collaborations with the producer Prince Paul, and was the critical and commercial peak of both parties. The album title comes from the Johnny Cash song "Five Feet High and Rising". The album contains the singles "Me Myself and I", "The Magic Number", "Buddy", and "Eye Know".

<i>All Hail the Queen</i> 1989 studio album by Queen Latifah

All Hail the Queen is the debut studio album by American rapper Queen Latifah. The album was released on November 7, 1989, through Tommy Boy Records. The feminist anthem "Ladies First", featuring Monie Love, remains one of Latifah's signature songs.

The Native Tongues were a collective of late 1980s and early 1990s hip-hop artists known for their positive-minded, good-natured Afrocentric lyrics, and for pioneering the use of eclectic sampling and jazz-influenced beats. Its principal members were the Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love, and Queen Latifah. The collective was also closely tied to the Universal Zulu Nation. Rolling Stone cites the track "Doin' Our Own Dang" as "the definitive Native Tongues posse cut".

<i>Follow the Leader</i> (Eric B. & Rakim album) 1988 studio album by Eric B. & Rakim

Follow the Leader is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released on July 26, 1988. Following their debut album, Paid in Full (1987), Eric B. & Rakim left 4th & B'way Records and signed with Uni Records, a subsidiary label of major label MCA Records. They recorded Follow the Leader at Power Play Studios in New York City. The duo produced, composed, and arranged the album with additional contributions from Rakim's brother Stevie Blass Griffin, who contributed with various instruments. Eric B. & Rakim worked with audio engineers Carlton Batts and Patrick Adams on the album. In a similar manner to their first album, a "ghost producer" was brought in for two songs. In a 2007 interview with Unkut.com, The 45 King said he produced both "Microphone Fiend" and "The R". "Microphone Fiend" was originally made for Fab 5 Freddy, until 45 King gave it over to Eric B., the group's "DJ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Beatnuts</span> American hip hop group

The Beatnuts is an American hip hop group and production duo from New York City. Its current members are JuJu and Psycho Les. JuJu is a Dominican American from Corona and Psycho Les is a Colombian American from Jackson Heights, Queens. Although only peripheral members, they are routinely acknowledged by Q-Tip as being members of Native Tongues. The Beatnuts were originally a trio before Fashion, now known as Al' Tariq, left the group to start a solo career. V.I.C. was also a member of The Beatnuts' production team for a while.

<i>Cypress Hill</i> (album) 1991 studio album by Cypress Hill

Cypress Hill is the debut studio album by the American hip hop group Cypress Hill. It was released on August 13, 1991, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records. Recording sessions for the album were held at Image Recording Studios in Los Angeles from August 1990 to May 1991. The production of the album was handled by DJ Muggs. The album was critically and commercially successful proving to be a major success for the group. Receiving major air-play on urban radio and college radio helped the album's popularity. The album went Double platinum in the U.S. with over 2 million units sold. The album is broken down track-by-track by Cypress Hill in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique published in 2007, 16 years after the album release.

A posse cut is a popular form of song in hip hop music that involves successive verses by four or more rappers.

<i>Run-D.M.C.</i> (album) 1984 studio album by Run-D.M.C.

Run-D.M.C. is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C., released on March 27, 1984, by Profile Records, and re-issued by Arista Records. The album was primarily produced by Russell Simmons and Larry Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden age hip hop</span> Hip hop music from around 1985–1995

Golden age hip hop refers to mainstream hip hop music created from the mid or mid-late 1980s to the early or early-mid 1990s, particularly by artists and musicians originating from the New York metropolitan area. A precursor to the new-school hip hop movement, it is characterized by its diversity, quality, innovation and influence on overall hip hop after the genre's emergence and establishment in the old-school era, and is associated with the development and eventual mainstream success of hip hop. There were various types of subject matter, while the music was experimental and the sampling from old records was eclectic.

<i>Mecca and the Soul Brother</i> 1992 studio album by Pete Rock & CL Smooth

Mecca and the Soul Brother is the 1992 debut album from hip-hop duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth. The album contains their best known song, "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)". Mecca and the Soul Brother has been widely acclaimed as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. The album was mostly produced by Pete Rock and executive produced by DJ Eddie F of Heavy D & the Boyz.

<i>Wanted: Dead or Alive</i> (Kool G Rap & DJ Polo album) 1990 studio album by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo

Wanted: Dead or Alive is the second album by the hip hop duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo. The album was released a year after the duo's debut, Road to the Riches, and received greater acclaim from most music critics. The singles "Streets of New York" and "Erase Racism" received notable airplay on Yo! MTV Raps and the former is credited by Nas as being influential on his song "N.Y. State of Mind" from his critically acclaimed album Illmatic.

<i>By All Means Necessary</i> 1988 studio album by Boogie Down Productions

By All Means Necessary is the second album from American hip hop group Boogie Down Productions, released in April 12, 1988 on Jive Records. After the 1987 murder of DJ-producer Scott La Rock, MC KRS-One moved away from the violent themes that dominated Boogie Down Productions' debut, Criminal Minded, and began writing socially conscious songs using the moniker the Teacher.

<i>Straight out the Jungle</i> 1988 studio album by Jungle Brothers

Straight out the Jungle is the debut album from hip hop group Jungle Brothers. The album marked the beginning of the Native Tongues collective, which later featured popular artists such as De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and Black Sheep. The album's masters have a lower quality to other hip-hop albums of its kind, compared to the singles.

<i>Grip It! On That Other Level</i> 1989 studio album by Ghetto Boys

Grip It! On That Other Level is the second studio album by the Houston, Texas based hip-hop group, the Ghetto Boys, released on March 12, 1989, on Rap-A-Lot Records. Following the disappointing results of the group's first album, Rap-A-Lot CEO James Prince replaced two of the group members with Scarface and Willie D, who joined original members Bushwick Bill and DJ Ready Red. Recording for the album began in 1988, and finished in early 1989. The majority of the album's tracks were produced by DJ Ready Red, and much of the album's lyrical content deals with violent and misogynistic topics, which would later be credited for pioneering the horrorcore hip hop subgenre.

<i>Power</i> (Ice-T album) 1988 studio album by Ice-T

Power is the second studio album by American rapper Ice-T, released on September 13, 1988, by Sire Records. Recorded at Syndicate Studios West in Los Angeles, the home studio of DJ Evil E, it was produced by Ice-T and Afrika Islam. The Los Angeles Daily News noted that its lyrical themes ranged from sex to gun violence, and that Ice-T "implicates everyone from radio programmers to the police as accomplices in the decline of western civilisation." The album contains lyrics that began a feud between Ice-T and rapper LL Cool J. The album cover, which features Ice-T's then-girlfriend Darlene Ortiz, Ice-T, and DJ Evil E, was described as "perpetuating stereotypes" by the Chicago Tribune and "violence-glorifying" by both the Chicago Sun-Times and The Sydney Morning Herald.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kool DJ Red Alert</span> American DJ

Frederick Crute, known professionally as Kool DJ Red Alert, is an Antiguan-American disc jockey who rose to fame on WRKS 98.7 Kiss FM in New York City and is recognized as one of the founding fathers of hip hop music and culture. His weekly radio show airs on WBLS 107.5 FM from Monday to Saturday at 6pm EST.

<i>AmeriKKKas Most Wanted</i> 1990 studio album by Ice Cube

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted is the debut studio album by American rapper Ice Cube, released on May 18, 1990, by Priority Records. It was his first solo album, after an acrimonious split from his former group N.W.A. Primarily produced by Public Enemy's production team The Bomb Squad, the album was a critical and commercial success, being certified platinum in the United States for selling over one million copies.

<i>Strictly Business</i> (EPMD album) 1988 studio album by EPMD

Strictly Business is the debut album by hip-hop duo EPMD. It was released on June 7, 1988, by Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records around the world and BCM Records in Germany. It peaked at No. 80 on the Billboard 200 soon after release, yet it earned an RIAA gold album certification within four months of its release. In addition, it has received much positive critical attention since its release. In 2012, the album was ranked number 453 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

<i>J Beez wit the Remedy</i> Album by Jungle Brothers

J. Beez Wit the Remedy is the third album by the Jungle Brothers, released in 1993 on Warner Bros. Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jungle Brothers</span> American hip hop trio

Jungle Brothers are an American hip hop trio composed of Michael Small, Nathaniel Hall, and Sammy Burwell. Hailed as pioneers of the fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and house music, they were the first hip-hop group to collaborate with a house-music producer. The trio released their debut album, Straight out the Jungle in July 1988. Their hip-house club hit single, "I'll House You" was added to the album in late-1988 reissues. Fostered by Kool DJ Red Alert, the Jungle Brothers' success paved the way for De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and eventually the Native Tongues collective that they founded.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Huey, Steve. "Done by the Forces of Nature – Jungle Brothers". AllMusic . Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Done by the Forces of Nature (liner notes). Jungle Brothers. Warner Bros. Records. 1989. 9 26072-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. 1 2 Tanzilo, Robert (December 7, 1989). "Jungle Brothers: Done By the Forces of Nature (Warner)". Chicago Tribune . sec. 5, p. 15G. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 Marlowe, Duff (January 7, 1990). "Jungle Brothers: 'Done by the Forces of Nature': Warner Bros". Los Angeles Times . "Calendar" section, p. 62. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  5. ↑ Cowan, Andy (October 2017). "Jungle Brothers: Done by the Forces of Nature". Mojo . No. 287. London. p. 107.
  6. ↑ McCann, Ian (November 25, 1989). "Mutha Nature". NME . London. p. 34.
  7. ↑ Cranna, Ian (February 1990). "Jungle Brothers: Done by the Forces of Nature". Q . No. 41. London.
  8. 1 2 Azerrad, Michael (February 8, 1990). "Jungle Brothers: Done By The Forces Of Nature". Rolling Stone . New York. Archived from the original on April 19, 2008. Retrieved November 27, 2008.
  9. 1 2 Relic 2004, pp.  444–445.
  10. ↑ Weisbard 1995, p. 204.
  11. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (February 6, 1990). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice . New York. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  12. ↑ Tate, Greg (January 1990). "Jungle Brothers: Done by the Forces of Nature". Spin . Vol. 5, no. 10. New York. pp. 73–74. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  13. ↑ Morse, Steve (January 25, 1990). "Intense music". The Boston Globe . Archived from the original on August 2, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2009.
  14. ↑ Watrous, Peter (January 21, 1990). "New Albums Lead Rap Down Different Roads". The New York Times . Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  15. ↑ Anderson, Brett. "Jungle Brothers: Done by the Forces of Nature". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on March 17, 2007. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  16. ↑ Sotinel, Thomas (March 16, 1990). "Jungle Brothers: Done by the Forces of Nature". Le Monde . Paris.
  17. 1 2 Larkin 2002.
  18. ↑ Drever, Andrew (October 24, 2003). "Jungle Brothers still untamed". The Age . Melbourne. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  19. ↑ Lindsey, Craig D.; Ruggiero, Bob (July 2, 1998). "Back to the Jungle". Houston Press . Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  20. ↑ Azerrad, Michael. "Jungle Brothers". Trouser Press . Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  21. ↑ Reger, Rick (December 20, 2002). "New magic from the crazy Jungle Brothers". Chicago Tribune. sec. 7, p. 4. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  22. ↑ Brackett, Nathan (May 29, 1997). "Jungle Brothers: Raw Deluxe". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  23. ↑ Brackett, Nathan; Eliscu, Jenny; Fine, Jason; Fricke, David (April 11, 2002). "The 50 Coolest Records". Rolling Stone. No. 893. New York.
  24. ↑ "100 Best Albums". The Source . No. 100. New York. January 1998.
  25. ↑ Doran 2006, p. 631.
  26. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Jungle Brothers – Done by the Forces of Nature" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Charts.nz – Jungle Brothers – Done by the Forces of Nature". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Jungle Brothers Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2020.

Bibliography

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.