Brand Nubian - Foundation (Arista, 1998)

Having gone from Elektra to Arista, Lord Jamar, DJ Alamo, Sadat X and (welcome back) Grand Puba Maxwell, released their comeback album in 1998. DJ Premier's "The Return", Buckwild's "Straight Outta Now Rule" and "Brand Nubian (1998 version)" all have great beats and hot rhymes. In terms of dopeness, Puba is first, Datty-X is second, and Jamar third. They do slip up when they try to go mainstream on us: "Don't Let It Go to Your Head" is hot but "Too Late" is not. Also, Alamo is largely absent on this album while other producers handle the album. Maybe that's why he's not in the group anymore? -EJR