the jungle brothers’ 1988 debut, straight out the jungle, was important for many reasons. it was sloppy and goofy but had moments of real focus and social consciousness. it was a true “kitchen sink” record, that caught a rap fanbase enraptured by eric b. & rakim, public enemy and boogie down productions a bit off-guard. also of note, beyond the excellence of the album itself, the jungle brothers were the fulcrum for what would become the native tongues movement – they came first, de la soul and a tribe called quest followed, under their guidance.