343: PEOPLE'S INSTINCTIVE TRAVELS AND THE PATHS OF RHYTHM | A TRIBE CALLED QUEST

People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm is a classic hip hop album that marked the debut of A Tribe Called Quest, one of the most influential and innovative groups in the genre. The album was released on April 10, 1990 by Jive Records, and it showcased the group’s unique style of blending jazz, funk, soul, and other musical elements with witty, playful, and socially conscious lyrics. The album also introduced the world to the Native Tongues collective, a group of like-minded artists who shared a vision of positive, alternative, and progressive hip hop.

The album consists of 14 tracks that explore various themes and topics, such as travel, love, identity, culture, history, and humor. Some of the standout songs include “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo”, a humorous tale of a road trip gone wrong; “Bonita Applebum”, a smooth and sensual ode to a crush; “Can I Kick It?”, a catchy and anthemic invitation to rap; “Luck of Lucien”, a tribute to a French friend; “Ham ‘N’ Eggs”, a humorous rejection of unhealthy food; and “Description of a Fool”, a scathing critique of a foolish person.

The album was produced by A Tribe Called Quest themselves, with help from engineer Shane Faber and co-producer Bob Power. The group used various sampling techniques and equipment to create their distinctive sound, such as the E-mu SP-1200 and Akai S950 samplers. The album features samples from artists such as Roy Ayers, Lou Reed, Stevie Wonder, Billy Brooks, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sly & the Family Stone, and many others.

The album received critical acclaim and commercial success upon its release. It was the first album to receive a perfect 5 Mic rating from The Source magazine, and it was eventually certified gold by the RIAA in 1996. The album is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential hip hop albums of all time, and it has inspired countless artists across genres. The album was reissued in 2015 with three remixes by Pharrell Williams, J. Cole, and CeeLo Green.

People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm is an album that celebrates the diversity, creativity, and joy of hip hop. It is an album that invites listeners to join A Tribe Called Quest on their musical journey and discover their own paths of rhythm. It is an album that has stood the test of time and remains relevant and fresh today.