Say whatever you want about the Beastie Boys style, personality or politics but there's one undeniable fact: they give a f--- about remixes more so than most other hip-hoppers. I honestly have yet to be really disappointed by a remix the Boys have put out over the years...face it, few rappers chance the cost nowadays but the Beasties don't give a f---. They own the label. "The Blow Up Factor" is a series of half a dozen remixes taken from *Hello, Nasty*. Some you've heard before, like Kutmasta Kurt's flip of "Body Movin'." Others you haven't, like the boring revisiting of "3 MCs and 1 DJ" or like the delightful remixes done for "Negotiation Limerick File", one handed in by those wacky folk at the Handsome Boy Modeling School, the other by the Prunes (hint: go with Handsome Boy).

All respect to the dead, but am I just being cynical in finding this new wave of Big L singles just a tad too coincidental given the proximity of his recent passing? Sure, "Way of Life" was some bomb sh*t, but this disk feels more like a hasty 12" thrown together than something as well produced (holistically speaking, not just musically) as "Ebonics". I guess it's a good thing to have for Big L fans, but other than that, I wasn't won over by much on it.

Damn, has it been long enough or what? Cas hasn't had a single out since that Souls/Casual/Extra P. disk that Jive floated out for "A Low Down Dirty Shame"...right before Jive/Zomba summarily dumped their entire Hiero roster. In any case, this is NOT (from what I can tell) the Casual single that was blowing up - curiously enough - on Funkmaster Flex's show months back. But that don't mean it's not hot. Let's cut through the bullsh*t...just flip to "I Gotta (Get Down)"...hot to def with its violent string intro that cascades into a barrage of drum blasts that Casual weaves through like stitches through a cut. It's one of the better beats Alchemist has done (no offense intended, but I have NOT been won over by the majority of that Soul Assassins' work). "Turf Dirt" isn't bad, though I'd expect more from a Stimulated Dummies beat and "VIP" is ok as well - but "I Gotta" has got it going on. As powerful a return as one could hope for an MC of Casual's caliber.

Possibly *the* hottest single I've heard all summer. Not only is it better than 90 of Defari's recent LP (whose disappointing album sales make a lot of sense in hindsight), but it's also one of the best beats Evidence has done in the last six months - and that's saying A LOT because Evidence has been killing it on the boards with fantastic tracks for Aceyalone and Encore. In any case, have you heard a more delightfully infectous track this whole summer? Ev is getting so good with tweaking with piano tracks that he should be the Key Master. And Defari blasts back with a nice set of lyrics, showing improved flow control and confidence on the mic. A must have for any collection.

Del returns with a new single as visually striking as it is musically. Posting up with a Japanese Dreamcast machine months before the sh*t appeared in your local Kay-Bee, Del gets full color on your ass. On the inside, Del's up to his old tricks (attacking the wack) but with some new skin around it...his own production on "Phoney Phranchise" feels little too rough to me. Domino's remix is simple, but it captures the feel of the song much better in my opinion. Meanwhile, "Master Minds" pairs Del and Tajai together for some tag-team madness...the beat is ok, but gets a little too techno-fuzzy for my taste (where the drums at son?). "Press Rewind" is so-so Del insanity...lyrically strong but the beat wears down quickly. Obviously, Hiero heads will want to cop this one...everyone else - eh, your call.

Destined to be a mixtape classic, "Way of Life" shows that simple *is* better sometimes. It's such an uncomplicated song in terms of its basic beats and Fat Joe/Big L's lyrics, but from the minute you hear the campy, whiny keys creep in, you know your head's a-bobbin' along to the groove. It's not even worth resisting.

Both sides win with a patient route rather than jumping up and proclaiming their dopeness. The Dynamic Syncopation - another production group in the tradition of Unsung Heroes or the Kreators - put a smart pair together with Atlanta's Mass Influence on the A-side and Brooklyn's Yeshua dapo ED on the flip. We always knew the two groups share a kinship, but this 12" proves it. Mass Influence rips it hot and heavy for "Ground Zero" over an understated track of sharp cymbal work and flickering basslines. I suspect "The Essence" will be the sleeper hit with the playful beats that complement Yeshua and Ed's own steez...plus the four elements chorus will have all the knapsackers nodding their head in appreciation.

For all the praise that Planet Asia gets (and deserves), Encore is fierce as f--- on the mic tip as well...I'd pay to hear a battle between those too. This new single by Encore follows up on the strength of last year's "Ice Age" and if you're still not convinced of his mic threat, wait until you hear his "Waterworld" from the Handsome Boy Modeling School album. Anyways, both "Filthy" and "Spectacular" easily chart on top as two of the best songs to emerge from the Left Coast's underground of late. "Filthy" kicks off with some deep piano melodies (Evidence's forte), Babu slicing up the scratch and then Encore sparks in with his baritone abuses. "Spectacular" takes a different route, with some bright vibes lightening the atmosphere (courtsey of DJ Fingaz) while Encore and Evidence continue their verbal routines. Cleaning up is "Illuminant Chants" featuring Holekost and the tense, dramatic strains of Architect's track in the backdrop. Not a single to sleep on.

Really great production, a total sleeper hit. J-Zone's lyrics are ok...a little uneven (and low mixing doesn't help either) but his beats are phenomenal...a great album just to (no pun intended) zone out to. Ear candy out the door.

"The Meanin" has multiple elements running in its favor: a smooooth jazzy track done by Cas; cuts by DJ Revolution; cameo by AG who seems to be finding work *everywhere* nowadays on the Left, plus Kamachi himself who comes with a self-assured flow and finely-tuned rhyme scheme. But this all pales when you twist the disc and check out "Nile Nutrition" with Last Emperor. Over a bubbling, African polyrhythm, Kamachi and the Emperor trade off wisdoms deep enough to confound today and tomorrow's mathematics. Sublime from beginning to end.

Kazi explodes onto the scene with "Called Your Bluff", as sublime and strong a debut as you could hope for on this double-A-side single. The bongo intro gives way to this insane rhythmic pattern of buzzing bass that fills the room while Kazi slides in when the piano keys drop across the track...a striking track that Kazi does justice with a hot braggadocio effort that's a little understated but hardly invisible. Sickness ensues. Kombo's b-side effort isn't quite as striking but the smooth guitar loop synchs up well with the hard-hitting snare hits and Kombo's heated rhyme scheme that's an exhaustive effort compared to Kazi's laid-back flow. These are both off of "Connect the Dots: Music 4 All Cities" and if it's any indication of what that comp looks like...well, you figure it out.

Sappy as all hell, but MF Doom manages to turn even campy crap into something worth listening too. Oddly, this is probably the most consistent 12" he's put out in terms of sound quality, mostly b/c the songs are mixed as sloppily has his past Fondle 'Em singles have been.

Another nice dark horse single...really jazzy production that's easy to get into, especially on "All Live". Nothing mind-blowing, but you'll be surprised at how good these guys sound.

Solid compilation of materials produced by Chicago's finest. Check out the sh*t featuring Juice. Smokin'!

Hot to def! I've been kind of sitting on this for a while, mostly b/c I've spent so much time rocking "Plan Eh", I've never gotten to the flipside. Monolith is the Toronto massive - with everyone from Saukrates to Choclair and other Canadian rhyme-cutters. A little older now but still a worthy listen).

"The Rich Get Richer" features Ed O.G., Chubb Rock and Lil Dap, among others, and jacks the same beat that Defari had for "Lowlands Anthem". Not half-bad at all, and hearing Lil Dap back in action is better than I thought (but for the true butter, hit up that new Group Home jiznoint...hot!). The flipside is ok, but not as memorable. Either way, it's for a good cause though so support!

Daaaaaamn, bring that 'ol Freestyle Fellowship style back! Spitting 1,000 words a second, the Fellowship team up with ol' Project Blowed potna OD for the awkwardly titled "Can You Find the Level Of Difficulty In This?" Crazy pacing keeps this song on constant assault, just the way LA underground heads like it (and why NY heads keep hatin'). The flipside ain't bad, but it's all about the A. Fellowship fans and followers rejoice. Just recognize: it's an acquired taste.

Straight up - he *is* crazy. But you gotta love it.

Worth having if only for King Tee's "Cali Expert" which graces this volume. A short song (and doesn't even have an accompanying instrumental unlike the other songs), but a nice one with King Tee comin' braggadocio over a track last heard on ****. For whatever reason, I really like this one and if King Tee isn't your cup of tea, it also features a sub-par O.C. song and AZ joint.

The B-side went nowhere fast for me (typical NY fronting and posturing) but "Amazin" was great. A very smooth and jazzy track that strikes you from the drop of the first key note - a nice surprise and worth investing into. Lyrically, the material is good - nothing mind-blowing, but it'll get you through the song.

We all knew he could rhyme, but Monch needs to stick to that and leave the production up to someone else. I'm all for minamlist tracks and what not, but "Simon Says" is more simpleton than simple. It sounds like a doped up version of the "Adams Family" theme. Where are the finger snaps? Still, when Monch tells you to "get the f--- up" who am I to argue? He's one of the fiercest MCs to ever step to six inches of steel. The flipside, which flows dark and menacing it a tad better musically (but not as striking lyrically) but both ways, it's not as nice as what Organized was able to pull off. As for the Busta-duet on "Next Sh*t". Woo hah, both MCs put you in check over a ridiculous electronic track that's campy as hell - but that's a good thing here. Monch is apparently trying to flip 1,001 styles on his new sh*t. No pun intended.

Oh sh*t, the Phife Diggy actually comes with it. Surprising the hell out of me, both sides of this disc were kinda hot, impressing me in ways that Q-Tip did *not* with his likable, but empty "Vibrant Thing". "Bend Ova" is sort of stupid lyrically (hearing Phife rhyme about women nowadays is about as exciting and original as hearing Mase rhyme about his Rollie) but Jay Dee's funk-thump lays down a welcome bounce. Meanwhile, the more jazzy and laid-back "Thought U Wuz Nice" pumps the kind of ego-trippin' confidence that we've come to like about Phife back in his Tribe days. A very worthy debut single from Tribe's oft-ignored color man.

The original was plenty fly but Kutmasta Kurt does a bang up job on the remix which features DJ Revolution handling the cuts so you *know* sh*t sounds nice. Eclipse 427 and Asia have very different lyrical appraoches but in duet, they sound good. Besides, right now, people can't seem to get enough of Planet Asia and this single more than adequately feeds the need.

F--- it - I like her, I like the single. Sure, she may be Flipmode Squad, but we can't always pick our family can we? I think Rah is hella iller than most of the femmes trying to fatalize the mic...at least she has personality.

"Action" is the best Saukrates song he's put out in at least a year, the kind of joint that rocks you from head to toe with its insistent excellence and makes you wonder just why it is that Saukrates can't be more consistent like this always. The guitar loop that runs through out the original mix (the remix is ok, but forgettable) just has this impellent quality that refuses to be ignored; a jackhammer to your skullie with Saukrates pushing from the top with his gruff vocal mechanics. Blowe.

With his album (again) in limbo, Canada's great rap hope floats out a sampler from the upcoming LP (assuming that sh*t ever comes out). Good material, especially "Keep It Movin'", his duet with Xzibit and the "Play Dis" remix featuring Common. But when's the f---in' album coming out B?

Another summer favorite. "Get Down" is one of this year's best party songs for the underground. The right blend of anthematic elements: an easy-to-remember hook, great musical simplicity (a chop, it sounds like, of "Spinning Wheel") and lyrics that impress without having to intimidate. I've been *real* happy with this San Diego group's work so far...both this and their last single have been two of my favorites of the year and "Get Down" is such a likable song that I play it as often as possible. And don't sleep on "No Time"" either, another expertly produced track which only confirms this group's talent. Another must-have.

A great song by the late Subroc, "Sounded Like a Roc" makes great use out of the under-utilized bassline from Pharoah Sanders' "Thembi". And the flipside I haven't heard before...a new KMD cut from the archives showing why the group's untimely dissolution is one of the hip-hop underground's tragedies of the 1990s. You *know* you need to have this one.

A massive outpouring of hip-hop talent...everyone from Aceyalone to Pharoah Monche to KRS to What What, etc...but the beat (even on the remixes) just killed the vibe. It's hard enough to keep such a long (eight minutes) posse cut floating in your attention span, but not when the track is so mundane and mediocore. I'd rather go back and pull out "We're All In the Same Gang".

Tweaking with Idris Muhammed's "Loran's Dance", Various Blends comes deep and heavy with "Krazee Madeo Styles", playing with more metaphors than an English composition class. Lyrically, the Blends still need to tighten up their flows a bit but they manage to reign them in long enough to keep the song on point. The flipside blasts even harder, dropping some Monk-esque piano chaos and ringing ride cymbals to spark it off. After what's seemed like a long hiatus, the Blends are back - in spades. One to check for.

A sleeper hit that's really grown on me. It's your garden variety, you-suck, braggin' rights kind of song on both sides but Diamond Kut's tracks are masterpieces of minimalism - touched with jazz nuances and plenty head-nod percussive force while Wayne Live swings in with tight verses that remind me a little of his phonetic cousin, J-Live - straight to the point, accessible and devestatingly clever. A fine effort out of Chicago that's not likely to disappoint.

A curious EP that features a score of new/next school personalities like Mos Def, De La's Maseo, DC Q and Prime Meridian. A.D.L.I.B.'s "All Praise Due" slides in with an easy, meditative pacing, pumping nothing more than a short organ snippet and the sounds of Mos Def reflecting on God, Nature and Life - the sort of philosophical musings that balance Def's more explosive half. Maseo comes with Truth Enola, Mike G and DC Q, dropping some funk fuzzmatics on "Bang"...sounding a little like an older Mr. Complex track (wanna bet they both looped up Ramsey Lewis?)...but dropping more vocal styles than a Broadway audition. Last but not least is the B-side "Musical Mirages", done by primeridian. It's pleasant enough with its soft, mellow music but the hook is hokey and primeridian come with some cerebal mic concoctions that are better in theory than practice. A very quiet EP in some ways, Word on the Street proclaims its virtues in whispers more than screams.

This effort by Bay Area locals strikes the right chord amongst the underground crowd though it ultimately fails to rise signficantly above the mean with a combination of lyrics and beats that are dependable, but not necessarily dynamic.

All very acquired taste stuff. Aggro-beats and superscientifical lyrics don't make any of these universally accessible but you can't fault 'em for trying to push the boundries. Very worth checking out for those with an experimental bent in their nature. I question its appeal to more conventional, stubborn heads though - but hey, that what we have Jay Z for.

Solid Beatnuts track...hell, even if you don't understand Spanish, it still bounces well, no?

Both decent sngles, but you're not missing much if you already have the album. The "Whirlwind" remix is hardly much of one.

S'okay - Choclair comes whipping to do battle, but it's not as powerful as it could be. The more I think about it, the more I really think Choclair is just wasting his talent on relative bullsh*t...he's a fine MC...a recent listen to his new album shows that his mic control is top-notch, but compared to Saukrates (who has ten times the presence), Choclair will always seem to me to be a side player until he steps up with consistent songs that try to do more than just jock his fly ass.

"Not 2 Far" attacks you with a screaming track that's the anti-thesis to the smooth vibe of his last singke, "Rain Dance" and D. Auguste combines with the distinctive patter of both the Last Emperor and Tajai's rhyme flows for an altogether satisfying song. The rest of the disk ain't bad either and D. Auguste is showing considerable promise as one to watch in the double-00.

Decent, but unremarkable fare from Greyboy whose turning into SD's premier underground producer, but the Imam Thug sh*t came out of left field. Didn't work for me at all though Mood sounded much better with Greyboy's jazz-inflected samples working behind them.

Despite being an ABB sub-project, I was underwhelmed by this on several fronts, even with a cameo by Self Scientific. Beats just didn't do sh*t for me.

Nice organic tones on "Thematics". Grassroots are in the running as dark horse candidates this summer and fall. As such, they may also be Conception's parting gift to us all...apparently, the label has fallen on hard times and is considering disbanding which would be a shame. Seattle's sector is so vibrant that it could use the support and Conception looked like it was headed to become a label on the ABB or Fondle 'Em level.

One of the better songs off of Gza's wildly underwhelming "Beneath the Surface". Check those keys raining down like hellfire.

Decent cut from the Bay's Derelix...50 Grand still talks smack with the best of 'em and Architect keeps up his end as beatmaker. Unfortunately, I still can't get TOO excited about them...Grand's voice is ill, but his flow feels sloppy at times and he hasn't hit me with the bomb lyrics enough to make me upgrade his status.

More than adequate hip-hop that emerges from the b-boy kingdom of San Diego. Icons are down with the whole P-Jays crowd and their mesh of hip-hop fundamentals and decent beat work on "Like Never Before" impressed me. Still not yet ready for prime time players though, give 'em a little more time to gel together.

Damn...this is like his third single from an album that's yet to come out (very soon though). Decent sh*t but I don't think I'm alone in saying that none of the songs so far have really met with Deck's potential as evinced by his past Wu work. And even worse, I've heard the album and it's nowhere near as good as people would want it. This single lands somewhere in the range of better songs but the vocal hook is corny as f---.

Likable stuff, good production values, but ultimately, not that striking. Of course, this is one of J-Gifted's first singles so I'll chalk it up to growing pains. Might be worth checking for in the future, but it's too hard to gauge right now. Lyrics and rhyme scheme both need tightening...beats were done nicely though.

What can I say? For whatever insane reason, I like Ja Rule's sh*t. It's pop thuggery at its most blatant, but hey, I like junk food, you know?

More junk food but again - it sounds good. This guy turns out more anthems than Naughty by Nature.

Hella old by now I know...a decent song with good personnel (including members of the Jugganots and Anomalies) but as more time goes by, I realize that whatever initial impression this single might leave on you is purely ephemeral. Worth having but not essential.

The Baka Boys remix is pretty bland and Da Rock remix is just another jackin' of Ed OG's "I Gotta Have It". Barely even a collector's item.

The B-side is disposable, but Extra P and new partner Neek make a good showing in "Rhyme Mania '99". It's not likely to be much of an anthem a couple of months from now, but enjoy the show while it lasts.

Nowhere near as memorable as his last one, with "Secret Wars" but not bad overall. I find his flow awkward at times, but memorable at least. Ironically, he's been nicer on his cameos for D. Auguste and Kamachi.

Lemme get this straight: The Roots remix a Sade song being covered by two African-Francophiles? Okey doke. Sounds nice, but ultimately forgettable.

Mary does her best Lauryn Hill impression. A decent song, but there's better on the album.

Solid work from the Masterminds, both lyrically and production-wise, check out track one on the first side...blazin.

Standard Fondle 'Em issue. Worth a spin, but don't expect to get blown out the frame.

Better than average New York underground stuff...the beats are slightly better than the vocals, but this one won't disgrace anyone.

S'okay stuff...I liked "Inhuman Capabilities" for its neck-snapping drum break plus cameo by follow Bostonian, Acrobatic. Pretty much par for the course compared to Mr. Lif's last single.

I actually liked the A-side, which is pretty amazing since I'm usually tempted to write OGC off as third string BCC players. Not a blazin' song, but oddly appealing for its minimalistic funk groove.

S'okay Philly stuff from the same folks you brought you Munk with the Funk. My man Chops from the Mountain Brothers pops up on the cameo tip on one of the songs. Otherwise, unremarkable.

Very interesting material, though it couldn't sustain my interest for too long. Original Man hits with some organic style beats and thoughts...likable enough, but undistinguished in the final equation.

Much as I like Young Zee and Rah Digga, these pair of singles were blahzay blah.

The remix is a tad too slow, but with cameo by Mad Lib, a worthy listen. It's just that Planet Asia comes nicer on both "Callin Da' Shots" and his upcoming "Place of Birth."

A solid song from Asia (though the flipside didn't do much for me). Nice hard-hitting beats complement Asia's own hammering lyrics though intellectually, he's gotten much deeper on other songs I've heard from him. Worth it in the crates, but not the secret weapon you'll want to pull out.

This seems to be the last in the Soundbombing series but I would have much rather seen Rawkus put out the title song by Dilated w/ Xzibit. Both sides are fine (though Monch *really* needs to find better supporting production) but not outstanding.

Not a bad single by any means, but I'm still resistant to Public Enemy's comeback. Maybe I'm just not willing to let go of my nostalgia and allow PE some kind of contemporary status...or maybe it's just that their particular sound has become more and more fringe within today's hip-hop world. I respect the effort but I may not necessarily enjoy it.

I still need to REALLY listen to this 12", but from what I've heard so far, sh*t ain't bad. Production seems tight on both sides, though the lyrics touched me as a tad generic.

For those you actually heard the original version of "Oral Sex", where Ras turns third base into a metaphor for hip-hop production, this new version can't be anything but disappointing. Glad to see Ras back up in here, trying to come with some back bustin' beats and attitude, but this won't save his floundering career. Nonetheless, it isn't a bad song at all, with him smacking the sh*t out of the competition with some well-placed punch lines. A single worth having from the Ras master.

Another quality hit from this Philly pair. The "1.9.8.6" remix is actually less impressive than the original, even if it does feature Black Thought on the cameo. "Internal Affairs" is tough enuff though, sure to please folks who've liked their past stuff.

Decent set of underground songs from Mike Czech and company down in San Diego. I wasn't bowled over, but it had its moments. It's been a couple of weeks since I REALLY listened to it, but there's definitely some heat coming off the B-side, two of the tracks were smoking though I felt like the title song felt a tad short.

"Bedroom Bully's" got the best beat, but forgettable rhymes...the rest is uneven. "Not Fa' Nuthin'" has its charms, while "Mask-A-Raid" doesn't but bottomline, I haven't heard anything compelling from Saafir in years now. Well, at least not since the rollicking, "I Have a Vest".

Everyone's talking about this 12", but seriously...why? Ok, so it paris Scritti Politti with Mos Def and has remixes by the Beatnuts, Pete Rock and Ali Shaheed Muhammed. Great on paper, not so great in reality. The Beatnuts track breaks backs the best - hard snapping drums make all the difference while Pete Rock tosses a throw-away track at this and Muhammed goes from Ummah to Um... with a track barely even there. But Scritti Politti doesn't need to be dropping rhymes or hooks and Mos Def does a'ight (you know his steez) but nothing to write home about.

I really liked his last single, off of Soundbombing, but largely because producer Nick Wiz does a bang up job on the beats. He knows how to hit that right rhythm of neck-snapping whip appeal and Sahdeeq's flow fits right with it. But honestly, I think Sahdeeq as an MC alone is pretty conventional. He's got a great voice going for him but I haven't been wildly impressed beyond a certain level, this single included.

Likable, but undistinguished stuff from Seattle featuring production by members of the Jasiri Media Group and others. Mostly, a lot of the songs are slow. Real slow. Slow enough to make Mobb Deep songs feel like Hi-NRG.

Both have its merits, especially if you like the vein of stuff that Tony Da Skitzo has worked in. I personally couldn't get deep into a lot of it - but the South West Co Lab has some striking efforts from a range of MCs to sample. Worth checking for. www.ipowax.com

Decent stuff from across the Atlantic...on that jazzy, organic tip and sounding nice for the effort. Not essential, but unquestionably pleasant in its arrangements. The title track was my personal fave, working with an aural vibe that fewer American producers seem willing to indulge but which remained a big part of Groove Attack's work on many of their singles.

Eh...New York mix-show fodder. "Radio" is decent with its beats, but I wasn't won over by the lyricism, "strict flow" or not.

Talk about your small worlds...the Superstar is actually in the same grad seminar as me at UC Berkeley. Ok, star sightings aside, this new three-song 12" from Quam extnds on the success of his ABB EP and also carves out a better space for the rising mic personality. I thought Quam sounded too much like the Jigga on his last EP but he seems much more in his own element on this EP. "Just Rap" is hot enough, but flip to "Properly Done". Quam's self-produced track rains down keys like acid rain and his own corrosive lyrics add to the the song's sizzle. You still get the feeling that Quam's reaching for maturity but his growing pains are showing signs of improvement.

Not a bad single from U God, who's stayed quiet the longest. He puts some fire behind this track, but where's that f*ckin' album?

Uneven material out of Houston. I know, harsh statement, but I don't know what else to say. The group Unonomous actually has a 19 track album out and without tearing my hair out over it, I have to say that I was disappointed that artists aren't practicing economy anymore. This is a longer rant, but hip-hop doesn't need longer albums - it needs shorter and more efficient ones.

"Ready 4 War" is half hot but "Curry Chicken Head" is stupid and offensive. Sub-standard NY fare. It's ironic that both this and the Tame One 12" (see below) are on Fat Beats' own imprint - perhaps this is starting to make stark just what kind of flavor the venerable store has in mind for both what they carry as well as what they promote.

Great idea, bad, bad execution. Maybe I'm just being picky, but I was unimpressed by the Defari track and for the life of me, I can't get into Buc Fifty. At least not on this song or his last single. DJ Rev liked Fifty's joint enough to put it on his new "R2K" but even that didn't move me much.

A subpar Slum Village single dressed up with a high price tag (for $10) and a remix that's basically ATCQ's "Lyrics to Go" with new (worse) lyrics. Now where's that f---in album?

And you thought he couldn't get worse than "my head is like a shark's fin."

This one seems to universally be the most disliked Fondle 'Em record to date - at leas based on conversations I've had with folks. And you know what? The reputation is deserved...this is just a pretty bad single - bland beats, worse rhymes. One to sleep on.

As I said last time around, the title "Quiet Storm" deserves an award for unintended irony. This sh*t put me to sleep and then some.

For alphabet rhyme fans (i.e. "A2G", "Audible Angels"), "Alphabetical Slaughter" is the latest in line of MCs trying to get from A to Z and drop lyrics along the way. Not a bad attempt, but the concept is getting well over-minded.

Is this a wreck or was it on Wreck? Oh wait, you're both right.

Fine single but once again, where's that f---in album? (It's coming, it's coming...I know). This new one is still pretty much par for the course...Swollen makes decent 12"s, but after a while, it feels exhausting to comb through, especially when the quality is uneven.

Whoa...between El and Tame, I think El has ended up with the better end of things. This three song EP by Tame One is a mess of uneven production and lackluster rhymes. I know folks always though El was the better of the Artifacts, but this 12" goes too far is suggesting that maybe the rumors were true.

Lights, camera - but not much "Action" despite the suggestion otherwise.

"Ooh La La" is some cool uptempo big beat/now sound sh*t but dump "Production" and "The Grabbing Hands"...what kind of rap song is going to jack a Depeche Mode chorus?