Leaders of the New School - A Future Without a Past...

A future . . . well, the future's hard to predict,

but I do hope for another creative HIP-HOP explosion that LONS were part of from '88 to '96.

Fun and creative is what most people wrote about this. I would say they are about . . . 100% right. I, also, wondered what happened to the trio since this album was so original.

I came to watch a documentary on the group or Busta Rhymes on MTV or Vh1 about 2 years ago. If you noticed it, Q-tip said that there was eerie feeling when LONS would be rapping. ' a very competitive, or extremely competitive spirit between them.

I think it was just strife or over the top competition that drove them apart.

Besides that, the samples, beats, and rapping flows(or styles) all flowed into one unit . . . for each and every song.

' a good album. ' a classic? . . . Well, we will see in about 40 years.

later, July 13, 2007

ONE OF THOSE CLASSICS THAT SHOULD'VE GOTTEN MORE SHINE

you know, i loved LONS. some i know say this here i wack. what i hear though is hip hop with a bit of a twist. i love especially CASE OF THE PTA, FEMININE FATT, SOBB STORY, INTERNATIONAL ZONE COASTER, SOUND OF THE ZEEKERS, and WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE. i wore this out when i had it. if you are into finding that good ole hip hop stuff, this is fo ya. March 3, 2007

Criminally slept-on...a fantastic classic

I can't believe that "A Future Without a Past" is as unknown and underappreciated as it is. I can count on one hand the number of rap albums that are as consistently funny and entertaining as this one. This album is simply phenomenal throughout. The three MCs here are fantastic. Busta Rhymes would of course go on to be the quick-lipped apocalyptic mainstream MC, but here he is a hilarious, immature teen. Dinco Dean carries the weight as the one who gels Busta with the equally zany and funny Charlie Brown, whose yelling and chanting make him the one who really stands out. Cut Monitor Milo makes the beats, along with an assorted group of other producers, and raps on occasion. LONS are a joy to listen to because they celebrate youth, and are quite capable of tackling issues on the youth of the world amidst their crazy humor. The production is excellent, using samples and creative instrumentals to make a unique yet simple sound that doesn't sound slightly dated fifteen years later. I can't think of another group that has so much character and charisma. "A Future Without a Past" is a concept album that follows Busta, Dinco, and Charlie through a day at school. These guys have hysterical thoughts about the goings on at the high school, and I laugh frequently whenever I listen to this. This album is a must-have for any fans of 90s classic hip hop.

The skits are part of what make the concept work so well and make the album so much fun. Beginning with "Homeroom," which has the guys skirting into school amid some sort of riot, and the classic song "Case of the PTA" plays the school theme perfectly, poking fun at the school system over a legendary production with an infectious chorus. "Too Much on My Mind" allows the MCs to voice the problems of their teenage lives, with a horn-laden hook. "What's the Pinocchio's Theory?" is crazy and hilarious, anchored by Charlie Brown. Despite its standard fun, "Just When You Thought It Was Safe..." displays a social consciousness that only the best MCs had in 1991. After a visit to the "Lunchroom" is the incredible "Sound of the Zeekers," a crazy song with multiple guest rappers. "Sobb Story" is great, and "Feminine Fatt" is a funny song where Busta speaks happily of heavyset women. I love "Transformers," and "Afterschool" the LONS ask for role models on "Show Me a Hero." "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" is infectious and fast, as is the well-produced and executed "International Zone Coaster." The self explanatory "Teachers, Don't Teach Us Nonsense" precedes Busta's hilarious "My Dingaling." The album closes with the perfect "Where Do We Go From Here?"

For as much success as Busta Rhymes would later find, in my opinion this is by far his greatest accomplishment. "A Future Without a Past" is amazing. It's unbelievably funny, musically catchy, and simply entertaining as the best hip hop is. Fans of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and even Brand Nubian or Wu-Tang should pick this up without thinking twice, and they will see that LONS are a group as unique and enjoyable as any. This is an album that never received its due respect but is a must-have for any hip hop fan. January 2, 2007

Charlie Brown was the man.................

Charlie Brown & Busta were the stars of LONS. My beef is Charlie could have been as big as Busta. I'm not sure what happened but C Brown was a star.

Top Joints
Zone Coaster
Zeekers
Case of the PTA
Transformer
Sobb Story October 31, 2006

If you feel this album then just get it!

Dam! Music I played back in 91 while in 7th grade is like old school rap classics now. I like this albume still today in 2006. Dare I say it but it's a fun album. I mean I know hip-hop now you got to be a "THUG" and all. This album just brings back good memories for me back in a time in 7th and 8th grade early 90s. The beats on this album still play to me and aren't out dated. For example, I brought Ice Cubs' 'The Predator' album just for the 'Check Yo Self' track but all the other song beats on that album are mad out dated. I don't know if your a young cat reading this or someone like me around 29, but this LP is just that good stuff! If you weren't around in 91 you might not be feeling me, but tracks for example; Feminat Fatt, Sobb Story, Show Me a Hero, were just my songs along with many more on this LP. I don't know, I just feel those good beats and the creativty on this album, still today! September 16, 2006

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