New Album Review: Del Tha Funkee Homosapien's Eleventh Hour

Probably the funkiest album ever released on label Definitive Jux

His first solo offering since Both Sides of the Brain (not counting Future Development), Del tha Funkee Homosapien drops Eleventh Hour today, to the baited ears of hip-hop nerds the world over.

Del tha Funkee Homosapien is one of the best-known underground rappers in the world. Thanks largely to his prolific touring, work with artists as diverse as El-P, Damon Albarn, and Dinosaur Jr, and as founding head of the Oakland-based collective Heiroglyphics, Del is likely to be one of the first names out of a backpacker's mouth when asked for a top five. Pretty impressive, considering he's not released a true solo album in eight years. He's managed to maintain a solid presence in the underground scene thanks to the Heiroglyphics' more recent Full Circle, as well as a plethora of features and singles on other artist's releases, yet lack of a proper solo album left fan's wondering if Del might be losing some of his game.

In short, he still has it. I myself was introduced to the Funkee Homosapien (and wide world of hip hop) thanks to his concept album Deltron 3030, a futuristic rap opera featuring the masterful production of Dan the Automator and Kid Koala. But be forewarned: if you first heard of Del from his work with the Gorillaz or from Deltron 3030, you will probably not like this album. If, however, you have been waiting for a Both Sides of the Brain, volume 2, this is your stuff. Solid junked up beats with that 80's style, Del has produced Eleventh Hour almost entirely himself, and it shows. His love for funk legends like Parliament and George Clinton is evident in the bass heavy beats and twangy-funk guitar samples that prevail throughout the whole album.

Admittedly, on my first listen, I wasn't especially impressed by Eleventh Hour. Between the internet release of Future Development and this album, I had heard Del feature on a number of artists' albums and a couple of compilations, and I still feel that in general, Del's been doing some of his best work on other people's pieces. His tracks "What U Hear" (on Zion I's True and Livin ), "Preservation" (with Aesop Rock on Think Differently Music: Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture ), and "Video Tapez" (on Amp Live's Rainydayz Remixes ) all left my head spinning and wanting more. Yet hearing Del lay it down over his own tracks makes me think his next one might use some more guest production work.

That being said, after the third time through, it all clicked for me: this is Del doing Del tha Funkee Homosapien. No spaceships, no rapping ghosts, just pure, solid, Oakland funk-raps from the ambassador of The Bay. In contrast to Future Development, Eleventh Hour is a polished, professionally produced album, where Future Development was at times a bit amateur sounding. Both Sides was thick with almost too much funk (I know, I know, no such thing) and too many sonic layers, making some tracks kind of busy or distracting. Here, Del maintains a solid rhythm and sound without going overboard, allowing his voice to clearly shine. His lyrics are classic Del fare: street reporting with a flair for letting heads know he'll buck 'em down in a battle. He starts strong with Raw Sewage,

"Salutations/now you facin'/a real nigga D. E. L./I don't feel bigga up here on stage, man/I keep it real witcha: I'm here to entertain y'all"

and continues into a number of rump-shakeable tracks. While what he's saying isn't especially profound, the content itself isn't the point; Del's never been an activist rapper, and has on many occasions voiced his disdain as being labeled as an alternative or conscious rapper. This is especially evident in tracks like "Naked Fonk" and "Workin' It", slower bass-heavy thumpers that you might find in your favorite vegan strip club.

Still, he's not all hustle. While Del may not preach to his listeners, he can still display a wide range of lyrical conception, and on "I Got You" Del trades bars with Ladybug Mecca on the socially progressive tip:

"you know our plot ties in with the rock's lies/
stoppin aparthied/freedom will rein in the brain
with unity/pump and flow through the vein/
just bring the change/in a range that's vast and far/
forever raising the bar/
praising Allah first/hit you with a raw verse
doing yard work/seeing how it all works/
the time has come for the rising sun/
don't look any further cause I'm the one/"

Eleventh Hour truly shines in the last five tracks (prefence indicator: two non-Del beats here, one by J-Zone, another from KU), my favorite track saved for the end. "Funkyhomosapien" is the gem, with boppy horn loops and funky samples all over a banging, sub-rattling bassline. Del's raps are the same "in-your-face-with-a-smile" styles that I liked so much in the above mentioned features, and he's clearly having fun. In all, I wish that there were more tracks like these on this album, but it starts and finishes strong, with solid offerings between. While fans of his side projects and collaborations may be at a loss, with Eleventh Hour, true fans of Del tha Funkee Homosapien will find a polished album well worth the extended wait.

anti-© 2008 Colin Wonnacott. Jack this with impunity, just know you're a biter.

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