Search - 3rd Bass :: Derelicts of Dialect

Released at the peak

B. Harper | Perth, WA Australia | 01/08/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A definite seminal Hip-Hop album from the early 90's, back when kickin' science and knowledge was the main focus and not posturing crap like it is today. Consequently, while the West Coast's burgeoning "Gangsta" sound was blowing up thanks to the likes of NWA and Ice Cube`s success, it was groups like 3rd bass and (also short-lived) Main Source etc that were keeping the East's feet firmly on the ground.



Hip-Hop was peaking around `91-'92 and in my opinion this is a personal favourite to come out of that period. With the production from the likes of uber-legend Prince Paul (and also Sam Sever), the whole album has a flavour that matches De La Soul and even ATCQ at their best. So though they weren't officially part of the Native Tongue family, they sure sounded like they were. Their sense of humour was well intact on here, but it's that constant and broad 3rd Bass message of "keep it real - no sell out" which is presented on 'Derelicts..' with a much grittier tone than before, balanced with that humour, that makes for some funky, memorable tunes (except for the oversaturated hit single, 'Pop goes the Weasel').



It's a pity that they couldn't stay together for maybe one more album, though it seems Serch's ego would probably never have allowed such a thing in hindsight (no denying the dude could flow of course), but we're left then, like many other quality albums from the same era, with a extremely listenable time capsule even if it doesn't sound as fresh as it did back in '91. So along with the Beastie Boys (this was released the same year as 'Check Your Head'), it's proof that you were able to be white and embraced by your peers as long as you had skillz and your intentions were true, even if 3rd Bass felt the need to prove themselves in that - at the time minuscule, category a little too hard."