Records: A Tribe Called Quest's The Love Movement

By Adam de Havenon

Most people are unaware that on Tues., Sept. 29, A Tribe Called Quest released a new album. In the flurry of recent releases from such artists as Hole and Lauryn Hill, Tribe seems to have been overlooked, even by those who consider themselves tried and true fans. Now the question is: should they rush to the record store or just rely on their Low End Theory favorites to keep Q and Phife on their stereos?

This is not an easy question to answer because The Love Movement is such a convincing facsimile of previous Tribe albums. But after listening to it for a while, I was left with a hollow dissatisfaction--not because the songs were poor, but because I expected and wanted more. The album contains no obvious single, no catchy loop or verse to hang your hat on. With the album's lack of innovation, there is nothing that signals an evolution in Tribe's musical or rhythmical style. And sadly enough, the cameos from Jane Doe, Redman, and Busta Rhymes upstage Q and Phife on their own turf.

The Love Movement is not a bad album by any means, and Q and Phife pull it together in "Against the World," which is as tight as Tribe has ever been, with its relaxed beat reminiscent of "Electric Relaxation" on Midnight Marauders. There's a catchy instrumental featuring a jazz guitar and an electric organ that bumped around my head all day. Fans can look forward to six bonus tracks, particularly the trumpet-heavy remix of "Oh My God."

But after playing it in between a sandwich of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and The Low End Theory, I can only recommend this album for those diehard Tribe fans who have exhausted the first four albums and need some more material for their obsession. Otherwise, there's better stuff out there on which to drop 14 bucks. (Jive)

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