The popular 33 1/3 "pocket book" series is back. This time they get author Shawn Taylor ("Big Black Penis: Misadventures In Race And Masculinity") to lay down some of his most personal memoirs and insights as they relate to one of hip hop's most acclaimed albums, A Tribe Called Quest's "People Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm." The writing is half-documentary, half-anecdotes, but all in all, is a perfect recipe representing an era that was playful and serious, poetic and strong. Taylor's notes don't leave you hanging either. He includes unique angles into the artists' identities, while tying it into the pop culture, the Native Tongues and society in general. There's also an in-depth 20 question interview with Bob Power, the engineer for the album. 116 pages.

reviewed by C'mish