Before we even start, let me say this: if you do not have Gang Starr's last album, Step In The Arena, go out and buy it now and then finish reading this. On Daily Operation, DJ Premier and the Guru once again come through with smooth lyrics, fat tracks and funky beats. Even though the album uses a lot of jazz riffs, horns, and string loops, they're hooked up in such a way that when you hear it you don't really think about jazz. It just sounds like funky hip-hop. Overall the album's production is dope, kinda like a mellowed-out Pete Rock. And of course the suave delivery of Guru swings as well. DJ Premier is a master of his craft. On "Ex Girl To The Next Girl," he uses the same "because girls look so good..." KRS sample that Lawnge uses on Chi-Ali's "Age Ain't Nothin' But A #," but since he transforms it real quick, the hook overall has a much better feel to it. The Guru's boys, Little Dap and Jeru, jump on the mic with him and get busy on "I'm The Man," the album's posse cut. It's just one song, but there is a different track for each MC, so they all come off with different styles to match their individual tracks. (Who said a Gang Starr album was boring?). Cont'd below...
"Soliloquy of Chaos" uses a strange, high-pitched sound that catches your attention and makes you listen to what the Guru has to say about the ill behavior and violence at some rap concerts. That's just one of the many subjects he hits on this album. On "The Place Where We Dwell," we learn about Brooklyn from both a positive and a negative aspect. While it is the home of cultural awareness, if you "come to Brooklyn frontin'... you'll get mushed quick!" "Conspiracy" warns Black people to watch out for the plot by certain others to rid us from the face of the Earth, and "The Illest Brother" is a song about this kid trying to get all the juice. Actually, they made the song for the Juice soundtrack, but due to some legal nonsense, they never got on." In the end, The Source gave the album a modest 3.5-mic review, but this album was everything to me in '92, and the group's impact was heavy. Revisit it below; it's a classic! The full review in The Source (6/92) is available below...
