If hip-hop is to survive, it must move beyond pseudo-nationalistic dogma and the gangsta gibberish spouted more often than not for the sake of shock value and a quick dollar. In the past, visionary groups like Public Enemy, De la Soul and last year's conformity busters in Arrested Development jumped into the fray just when it seemed rap was set to rap itself over the head. Digable Planets follow...

Trippy urban dreamscapes, detailed imagery and production grounded in funky '70s jazz populate this crafty if sometimes incongruous sophomore outing. Instead of locking into formula, Digable Planets have taken admirable chances, and a slew of superb live players breathe life into tracks backed by tastefully understated New York-flavored beats and ambient effects.

But intentionally or not, the...