The next time some close-minded, culturally imperious naysayer begins to discourse on how rap is not a true musical art form, pull The Roots' ambitious 1995 debut, Do You Want More?!!??!, out of your hip pocket and smack 'em in the face with it.

Because this potent mix of musicianship -- yes, you read right, musicianship -- lyrical flow and in-your-face innovation offers one of the best cases for rap as a work of art since KRS-One first learned to wrap his stubby fingers around a microphone.

Most importantly, this album offers the best distillation of The Roots' live sound, including slippery Fender Rhodes chords, muscular bass lines and drummer Amir Khalib Thompson's funky, precise grooves. Rather than rip off other hits to fill their pockets -- Puff Daddy, are you listening? -- The Roots bite pieces from jams by obscure artists such as Divine Beings and Len and 13% when they're not unwinding their own, hypnotic totally original pieces.

"Mellow My Man" proves vintage Roots, pairing percolating and aggressive rhymes from MCs Black Thought and Malik B. with Thompson's irresistibly funky backbeat. Buoyed by tasty horn lines and atmospheric keyboard touches, the MCs' vocals wrap around each other playfully, like the microphone banter at an old-school house party.

"I Remain Calm" talks of destroying foolish rival MCs with lyrical supremacy rather than bullets, powered by a catchy, vocal-driven chorus. Thompson gets to show off his syncopated licks in "Datskat," a tune that proves a quality MC can skat sing with the best of them, if properly motivated.

Best of all, this album leaves all that wack, derivative gangsta bullshit far behind, moving beyond recycled '70s grooves and simplistic violence fantasies to present a band that expertly melds quality rap with '70s-inspired funk and jazz flow.

Add another MC who can imitate everything from a trumpet to an acoustic bass, and you've got a formula for an original, genre-busting album that is likely the best rap album you've never heard.