"Alright this is
D-E-L, and I'm calling from 3838 [unintelligible] Way, yeah I just wanted to call to say 'F*ck the radio!'" And so began the unpredictable, uneven, but ultimately fruitful career of
Del tha Funkee Homosapien. This unlikely introduction came at the end of "Turn Off the Radio," from his cousin
Ice Cube's first solo album. When
Del the lovable ragamuffin's first
Ice Cube-produced single was released later on, in early 1992, most expected a junior version of
Ice Cube -- but what they got was something pitted between that hard-edged funk sound and party-down, proto-backpacker indie rap. From this one song -- and the equally silly video that accompanied it -- it was plain to see that
Del would not be dealing in the kind of vicious material mastered by his cousin and his former crewmates in
Da Lench Mob. The friend who would not leave and front-porch golden-shower revenge were his domain, not white devils and spraying AK-47s. As debut album
I Wish My Brother George Was Here swelled in stature after release,
Del's path took a few twists and turns, but this set for Rhino -- somewhat mislabeled as a best-of -- sticks with the MC's time spent on Elektra. This includes most of the best moments from
George and 1994 follow-up,
No Need for Alarm, making it valuable for those who haven't been able to track them down. However, those who have followed
Del all along should also take note; this set also contains a small bounty of B-sides, most of which are of some import. A few extraneous remixes make the set drag -- and, boy, that
Judgment Night collaboration with
Dinosaur Jr. should never leave its point of origin -- but it's still a win-win situation for all of those involved. The package scores bonus points for its informative liner notes, not to mention the shout-out to borderline-genius writer Kodwo Eshun. ~ Andy Kellman