One of the most unique voices in rap music, Del has been blowing minds and enlightening eardrums since he first came on the scene. His debut album I Wish My Brother George Was Here, included two crossover hits, but the follow-up, 1993's No Need For Alarm is even better. While George was somewhat overseen by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh, No Need finds Del really coming into his own, flipping darker, murkier jazz-drenched beats (produced by himself as well as Hiero homies A-Plus and Domino), and displaying some astonishingly intricate lyricism. Like the Pharcyde, Del and his crew were decidedly un-gangsta at a time when low-riders and murder raps were all the rage (especially in Cali), but he gladly takes verbal shots at cornballs and wack MC's. One of those rare records that really can be listened to from start to finish, No Need For Alarm is an undeniable rap classic that still sounds fresh today. Every song on here is nasty; the title track, "Catch a Bad One," "Worldwide" and "Thank Youse" are just a few of the standouts.