12 Jewels: Gunlow/Crystalize (P-Jays)

On one hand, I liked the A-side beat - really jazzy (which makes sense since Greyboy did it), but rhyme-wise the sh*t sounds like San Diego gun clap (and trust me, the two don't blend). If you have to pick up a P-Jays cut, grab the one by AG, the Giant.

So - on one hand, he's grown up out of the Kiddie MC phase - the only problem is that he's not really much to listen to as an adult. "Up Top NY" is destined to have a quick spin in club play (it features Canibus and the Lost Boyz) but "Boys 2 Men", despite the irony, is so-so NY hip hop.

More interesting, if not a little esoteric, hip hop from the Pacific Northwest. They've got the most distinct niche to me in the American hip hop landscape (with the possible exception of Miami booty bass)...very avant garde in attitude, both beat-wise and rhyme-wise. I don't think everyone feels the Seattle sound, but for those with an acquired feel for their aesthetic, check this one out.

Sure, they're just rocking Dr. Dre's "Deep Cover" beat, but f--- it. Fat Joe is sounding better than he ever has and Pun is simply spitting syllables like watermelon seeds. Crazy hype joint even if the subject matter is literally "Deep Cover" part deux. I can feel it.

Rawkus has still to make a final decision on whether to release this song as a 12", but it will be on the EP. And promo copies are flitting their way out there so keep an eye cocked out for one. Ohyeah, the song's red hot by the way.

I'm not sure if the East Coast heads are going to give this one love or not (given its explicit Cali overtures), but they'd be passing up a bomb joint if they did. Xzibit, Tash and Defari fry it up with some Left Coast flavor over a rockin' Baka Boyz beat. I'm sure Cali kids are gonna be lovin' it...it's anthem song worth rocking from Eureka to Reseda.

The A-side is deceptively slow to start off with, but picks up the pace once Choclair (not Joe Clair) gets his rhyme on. I've never found him to be the deepest MC, but he's got nice personality though - a memorable rhyme flow and voice. Good song. The flip isn't quite as impressive...Solitair just doesn't bring that much to the song (nor does the production rock).

Evidence's debut on Tommy Boy Black - the sub-label that is supposed to restore street cred to the TB label - is as fine a start as TB could ask for. Not only do you get Defari's popular "People's Choice" on the B, but long-term fans get a new song in "Never Lose Touch" featuring the piano-pinklings of Evidence's production. While not as bouncy as "People's Choice", "Never Lose Touch" chooses to blend the intellect with some introspect. Good single ya'll.

Despite the big name underground MCs: Saukrates, the Cocoa Brovas, Erule (back from the dead it almost seems) and others, this was largely underwhelming. I don't know much about DJ Adam 12, but his beats rank more like a 6. They're not bad, but flirting dangerously in the zone between boring and bland - basically, lacking the type of flair that you'd want power MCs like Saukrates and Erule to flow over. Don't judge a record by its line-up basically.

Generic NY gun clap, but the beat on "Spontaenous Combustion" is some ill sh*t - good 'nuff for me.

Half-assed compared to the Smut Peddlers' "One by One" which rocks the same Lynn Christopher beat.

Ok - so one could ask what Phase 4 (formerly Payday) is doing with an MC who's subject material is as NY generic as corner hot knishes (then again, I got the same question for Jive and their ill-named "All Stars"). But even if Fat Cat Kareem isn't pushing the envelope, it's really not that bad of a single. Both sides rock good production, especially on "Fugazi" and either side could burn a couple minutes off a mix show without offending most people's sensibilities. I'd recommend a listen at the very least.

Primo refreaks the original guitar beat in a slightly new way - it's cool, but is a fairly minor remix when you think about it. However, Guru's new lyrics are on fire - damn, maybe he's been getting pissed at some of the lackluster press his rhymes have been getting. Not only that but Rage and Kurupt drop a bad-ass set of verbals as well. All in all, an impressive single that takes the West and East and creates one beast of a song. "The Militia" remains unchanged - strictly for the NY 'ruff n' rugged.

Generic NY hip hop.

While most people are caught up with Show and AG's "Full Scale" EP, this 12" could quietly go unnoticed even though it features AG and production by San Diego's Greyboy. Simply said, both sides are dope. Greyboy's beats tend to be on the acid jazzier side of things, but he knows how to loop up some tight basslines when he has to. A very dope 12" that currently lacks equally good distribution. Keep them fingers crossed.

Both singles are decent (though Street Smartz gives you double dopeness for the money). Domingo's beats vary in quality..."1-718" is his most under-stated, but he's got a good feel for pacing so it works. "Don't Trust Anyone" has an ill bassline behnd it (but the hook kills the vibe). Overall, "F-It-Less" is probably the best beat/rhyme combo, but honestly, I don't consider God Sunz or Street Smartz to be top contendors for the MC throne.

For whatever reason, I've always had some trouble getting into Godfather Don on a deep level, but this new 12" just grabbed my attention and hasn't let go yet. Sure, "Fame" is just a David Bowie loop, but Don could easily go toe-to-toe with Jay Z with his rhyme flow on this one. Like the B-side claims, it's da bomb baby.

The obvious, huge problem with this 12" is that the sound mixing makes the MCs sound like their rhyme with a coffee can tied to the mic. It's horrible and makes most of the songs hard to listen to. 'Nuff said.

The main difference on this single (promo) is that the extended mix just rocks the same Primo beat the whole way through (vs. the original remix which switched up beats in the middle). A minor difference, but for folks who like "One in a Million's" track better than "Rhyme No More", maybe the extended mix will appeal to you more.

Take three or four generic NY MCs and give 'em the Apache break-beat to rock over. Yeah, it might burn a little time in the clubs, but for the most part, if these are the "All Stars" on Jive right now, I don't want to know who the bench players are. Same goes for the Mic Vandals 12" which is just more of the generic same.

The most interesting aspect of this 12" isn't the artist himself (never a good sign) but the fact that Evidence produces two of the songs "Bass'd" and "Flows". Unfortunately, Jizzm's qualities as an MC still suggest that he's got some time to go until he's at the level of Evidence's normal partners: Defari and Dilated.

I vaguely like this one...one of the sides is pure pop hop garbage, but the other side would get my ass in motion on the dancefloor. Worth a promo dig, but don't shed a fiver.

No offense to Stretch Armstrong, who has done an incredible amount for the hip hop underground, but his label continues to drop acts that are straight gun clap with little distinctiveness, or, dare I say, dopeness. The Korp is just the latest example, but Dolo has yet to really float a group/MC out there worth remembering.

Provided, no one ever thought Group Home or Jeru were the finest MCs out there, but Krumb Snatcha is the latest rapper to suckle off the Gangstarr Foundation nipple and I just can't see what the interest is. He had a decent single out about a year or so ago, "Closer to God" that Primo producer, but it's the only Primo song on this EP and the rest is just so-so fare.

The left coast's busiest indie label turns out another 12". Kutfather, who first appeared on Jake One's lsat single, is a decent MC, but for the most part is fairly similar to a lot of NY-based rappers you can think of. Production is decent, especially on the subtlely smooth "Thoughts I Generate". Worth a quick listen, but you're better off picking up Conception's "Walkman Rotation" mix-CD.

Sh*t hot single from a group that's been around for years. The Alkaholiks have been trying to put these kids on since the days of "Make Room", but they haven't really come solo with anything until now. And damn, what a 12", each of the three songs is dope-a-delic. Especially strong are "Lost Art" which has this freaky-ass loop powering it and "Likwit Fusion" which brings on-board Tash and Defari, among other Litwit members. Definitely one to add to your crate collection.

I haven't been listening to this enough to give a thorough review, but overall, it was just ok. Shawn J. does the beat on "Up the Ante" which features this elaborate piano loop - nice, but nothing as strong as he's done for Mos Def. The rest really didn't hit me off with any kind of sonic or lyrical impact.

This is the first single off of the Beat Factory compilation that I really liked. "Better by the Letter" is a tad generic (i.e. sounding like it came from South of the border) but "Formation" and especially "Rhyme Trainin'" are compelling grooves with good production. As an MC, Mathematik lacks the charisma of other Canadian artists like Saukrates or Choclair, but he definitely holds his own in places on this 12".

Yeah, it has Talib Kweli and Consequence, but it also has a fairly bland Shawn J beat on it. Look, I appreciate that Shawn doesn't want to sample for ethical reasons, but word - the danger in trying to program without loops is that you dangerously run the risk of sounding mad generic. Just ask the folks who do the Ummah production - everything melts into a uniform, and sometimes, uninteresting sound. Well, this is Shawn J. Period's example of that. So, despite the presence of three talented MCs, the beat just killed the vibe for me.

The remix isn't that bad at all, but for the most part, I'm not sure it's going to appeal to either the fans or critics of their last song. My guess is that its shelf life is going to be fairly short and uneventful.

Post-Ruffhouse, the MBs are back down with the indie tip. "Galaxies" begins with some funk fuzz that might raise an eyebrow but when the vibes and keys drop in, it's the same good ol' Chops sonics that long-time fans have been checking for. Good lyrics on the A-side...a very mellowed-out song - think summertime BBQs in the park music. The flipside really needs a better hook, but the funky beat had my neck snapping enough for me to get past the chorus. The main concern is that both sides share the same type of vibe just a little too closely - Chops needs to fine tune his sonic steez and create more distinctive beats. A shame that their major-label deal fell through (not a big surprise in the land of 4080 though), but it's nice to see them persevering. Support your indie artists.

It's good to hear Charlamagne on the boards again and his new project (now that Natural E has split off) has some real nice production on it, especially with "Long Time Coming". Really moody sh*t but not like Mobb Deep...this has a nice soulful edge to it. As MCs, Nightbreed don't have the presence of folks like Mr. Voodoo or L Swift, but peep a listen anyway.

Am I just missing something? I mean, I think Noreaga is ok, but he's like the hottest sh*t out of Queensbridge since Prodigy and I just don't hear why. This new single is decent stuff...I could rock it for a hot minute, but after that, I'd be interested in moving on to a next song instead of reaching for the RW button.

This LA-based group sounds a lot like the Whoridas (go figure) and drops four cuts, about half of which are decent. "Young in the Game" is the best of the bunch, straight forward and hard hitting but not too much mic finesse in the process. "Wack MCs" is a'ight too despite the increasing genericness of the name. This will probably get some West Coast heads paying attention, but for the most part, it's nothing special.

While the Pharoah usually comes first when it comes to cameos, Prince Po is farming his mic and production skills out. Out of the Lone Star State, QB (of Environment) enlists the aid of one of Brooklyn's finer mic benders by getting Prince Poetry to flow over his own track - the Prince even gets top billin' like Milk. Anyways, the song's pretty cool - QB holds his own with Prince Po on most of the song and the beat's likable (though more "Somehow, Someway" than "The Equinox" if you follow me.) The rest of the 12" falls short however, particularly on "Top to Bottom" which sounded like a warmed over Mobb Deep song. Same kind of goes for "The Truth" where QB sounds like he's trying too hard to come hard. This one's batting .333 but is worth making a trade for.

It's out. Finally. And it's dope. Buy.

A little old to talk about, but still a good 12" worth having in your collection. Scienz chemical beats are a weird affair - try mixing the B-side and you'll know what I mean, but that doesn't mean the sh*t isn't distinctively fat. "Scienz of Life" in particular has dope lyrics that brought a quick smile to my face. Another quality Fondle 'Em release.

Fairly generic rhymes, but delivered with a fury. Both sides are better-than-average ruff' n' rugged NY hip hop sh*t. It's got decent production so flex if you want to (though the Godfather Don, also on Hydra, is the better choice if dolo is low).

The third cut is hot for a minute, the rest was unimpressive, largely b/c of bland production and while "Middle East" rocked a bit, the lyrics just seem average by all parties connected.

See the EP review below...this 12" is worth grabbing for her remake of "Nobody Knows My Name" which was never easy to find the first time it was out on Southpaw. And it has an intrumental flip of her "LA to Brooklyn" chorus.

Very, very dope. It's not as kick ass as the Jurassic 5 EP, but it's definitely got some fine moments. A Kid Named Miles does a decent production job on most of this, especially on "From LA To Brooklyn", the EP's best song. It features Siah and Yeshua dapo Ed and know their combo with T-Love is gonna be some ill sh*t (and it is). Also hot is her pairing with Kool Keith on "Return of the B-Girl" (bugged) and "I'm Comin'", her current single which reminds you why T-Love is an honorary Heavyweight. Give her some love and props.

Decent, though ultimately unmemorable. MC order is: Natruel, Shabazz, Wicked Will, Mr. Eon and L-Fudge. Production by Sean C. of the Vinyl Reanimators fame. As I said - likable for a hot minute, but not a bonafide classic by any means.

Yo...what's up with the resurgence in popularity of the Ultramagnetic MCs and the beat from "Ego Trippin'"? And why won't anyone put out a damn instrumental? Purists... Anyways, "Watch Ya Step" gets hot props b/c A) it uses the "Ego Trippin'" beat and B) O.C. cameos. That alone is the main seller. "Animosity" is just ok.