DIGITAL UNDERGROUND
Playwutchyalike (Rhino)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Only two years after Tommy Boy released their Digital Underground comp, No Nose Job, Rhino chimes in with theirs, a 14 track affair that is dynamite, to be sure, but a pointless purchase for owners of the Tommy Boy disc. Only 5 of the 14 tracks aren't also on No Nose Job, though they're great tunes; a remix of "Underwater Rimes," "We Got More" performed with The Luniz, "Sex Packets," "Nuttin' Nis Funky" and "Heartbeat Props. Whether the repeats are exactly the same mixes is another question, but it would have been nice to have some coverage of Digital's post-Tommy Boy career, which may not be considered their prime, but still produced some cool music. "April Showers" or "Man's Girl" would have been a nice change of pace, and Rhino could have said "there, we covered some of that stuff."

That aside, let me speak directly to people who don't own No Nose Job and are thinking a Digital Underground collection might be in their future. Of the two, I think I'd recommend this one for a few reasons. The sound seems a little better, and when you're talking about a hip-hop crew who used Funkadelic and Parliament samples for their music, that's important. Nothing wrong with the Tommy Boy disc's sound, but I don't remember it having this kind of presence. Most important, though, is the flow. This disc is well programmed. It's amazing how many "best of" releases aren't particularly good as whole albums, but this one is a spectacular and recommended listen from start to finish.

Oh, and I have to mention the one unavoidable truth about Digital Underground's music: it's great bedroom tuneage. Hell, it's almost all about sex, and they never did bother with innuendo. God love 'em.

Track List:

Same Song (Edit) * The Way We Swing * Underwater Rimes (Remix) * The Humpty Dance * Freaks of the Industry * Doowutchyalike * Sex Packets * Packet Man * Nuttin' Nis Funky * Heartbeat Props * No Nose Job * Kiss You Back * Wussup Wit the Luv (Single Version) * We Got More (with The Luniz)

© 2003 - DJ Johnson