"Although this cd contains great songs, it fails to captue the wizardry and true talents of the Pharcyde. If you do not have a Pharcyde Cd, do not get this so you have the best songs, this album just doesn't cut it. Pick up "Bizarre Ride...." before anything. This Cd just leaves out too much, using over 4 of thier interludes and skits to fill up the 18 tracks, they are very funny skits though."
Best of = no testing the waters, no plain rap
Nikolas Tomlinson | Ithaca, New York United States | 07/16/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"true to its name, the best of the pharcyde excludes the last two efforts of the group, sans fat lip, which were subpar at their brightest moments. To include those in this compilation would be an injustice to the group's other works. However, this then makes this a selection of some of the more palatable tracks from the first two albums (i.e. all their video hits plus a couple more) and then the favorable remix to "she said", and the relatively hard to find "panty raid". I'll credit previous reviewers with noticing the lacking of material from the group's golden age from 90-95 and maybe even 96, because there are literally dumploads of extra rare (and incredibly good) pharcyde tracks that were only released on vinyl, or in europe, or on promo basis during this time. So for the cheap peoples that won't just go and buy the first two albums, or those that missed the single release of "she said" with the jay-dee remix, enjoy. I don't know why anyone else would buy this. IT IS GOOD MUSIC, don't get me wrong."
I slipped on the sublime and fell into the pharcyde
georgiasphinest | Atlanta | 10/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pharcyde a great hip hop group with hilarious lyrics of a young man's frustration "Passin Me Bye" mama disses "Yo Mama" and well known hits "Runnin'" (which appeared at the beginning of a Law & Order Episode) I love very sophisticated complex hip-hop but I have to say I love spinning this disc in the ride and drivin around town I feel instantly better listening to this cd this is a great compilation of a lot of the Pharcyde's best work, caught these guys in concert with Ugly Duckling last year (ugly duckling is another more obscure hip-hop group for those who are wondering what that is) and I can reccomend Pharcyde's concert as much as this cd this is just great energized hip-hop though not as complex as other groups like say the Roots or Common they are however very talented and their music is just good listening get this cd!"
Every song is tight; these guys are awesome
Blackberries | PA | 04/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is where the real hip-hop is at. Back when The Pharcyde was busting rhymes in L.A., gangster rap on the death row label was at its apogee. Sadly, this unique band has often been overlooked, and they never garnered the commercial success that artists like Tupac and Dr. Dre got. This greatest hits disc is comprised of the best songs from Labacab and Bizarre Ride (plus a few unreleased tracks), certainly the best Pharcyde cds. Otha Fish, Runnin', and Passin' Me By are three classic songs that should be regarded in the upper echelon of rap music along with huge rap hits like What's My Name, California Love, Nothin But A G Thang, etc. If you like hip-hop at all and you don't own anything by The Pharcyde, this is a good place start."
"Something that Means Something"
Andrew Knoll | Montclair CA, CA United States | 09/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Pharcyde was making records on Delicious Vinyl when Tone Loc and other two-hit wonders were carrying the label, but years later they endure as one of the greatest and most unique hip-hop groups in the history of the art. My first introduction to Pharcyde was several years ago when I saw the video for "Drop" on "Yo, MTV Raps!" From that point on the group has been in heavy rotation in my house. "Cydeways" combines two classics, "Labcabincalifornia" and "Bizarre Ride" into a greatest hits record. It is amazing that in two albums there were so many great songs, but those of you who own both CDs will probably agree that they could have just boxed them together as a greatest hits collection. But even if you own both records, I recommend "Cydeways" because of the superior sound quality and the wonderful Jay Dee (Slum Village) remix of one of my favorite Pharcyde songs "She Says." The original is outstanding, but the remix has quickly become my favorite Pharcyde joint. This record is an absolute MUST for anyone who loves the Pharcyde, Hip-hop, and music in general."