De La Soul - The Impossible Mission
Label: AOI
Grade: A-
Highlight: Voodoo Circus
Overview: Where did this album come from?! In a surprise move, De La opened the vaults and let us in on 16 brand new tracks, freestyles and skits. This special tour only mixtape is narrated by De La themselves, explaining what Buhloone Mindstate they were in when they recorded each track. It’s interesting to hear the different styles that were apparent on Stakes Is High, De La Soul is Dead, Mosaic Thump, etc. The material is not phenomenal (read: it didn’t make the albums), but it’s stellar, as you would expect from De La. Standout cuts include “Live @ The Dugout ’87,” “Voodoo Circus,” “Friends,” and the James Brown sampled “You Got It.” Ever since The Grind Date was released, fans have been waiting for more Maceo, Posdnuos, and Trugoy. This mixtape should definitely wet their appetites.
