I have this picture of the Jungle Brothers in which they are sitting in a lab. They are laughing like mad scientists as they genetically engineer various hybrids of hip-hop.

Their latest disc, V.I.P., is the result of that experiment. Eclectic is the only simple way to describe the overall sound, but why keep it simple?

The Jungle Brothers have been part of the game since the late '80s. They are from the same school of rap that brought De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest into the mix. Although less known than their contemporaries, the Jbeez are in no way less creative.

Alex Gifford of the Propellerheadz produced V.I.P., and it is that free-flowing techno mindset that inspires the rest of the album. Tracks such as "Get Down" and "Jbeez Rock the Dancehall" feature straight house beats with the Brothers on the mic. You might remember the Aphrodite remix of "True Blue" from MTV's Amp compilation.

Although JB might be more comfortable with a rap-meets-house from, they don't stop with that combination. Blues ["Playing for Keeps"], soul ["Strictly Dedicated"] and funk ["Early Morning"] all are mixed with the Brothers' own style and lyrical skill.

This album is almost too eclectic to be consistent. It is better to look at V.I.P.. as a blueprint on which future rap architects can build. These are some fresh ideas for everyone who thought rap had no place left to go.

- Drew Avery