Groove Yard 6/98 originally written July 1998 - "from the first to the last of it, delivery is passionate"

***The Essential***
Basically, what I recommend you spend your hard-earned duckets on if you have nothing else to buy this month).

Black Eyed Peas: Joints & Jam/Fallin' Up remix (Interscope)

A real strong new single from the Peas. In my book, "Joints and Jam" is one of the freshest dance songs to appear in a long while - I've been loving it since I heard it on the "Bulworth" soundtrack. As for the "Fallin Up" remix - I'm diggin' that sh*t too - the beat pulsates along and takes you along for the ride. Well worth the five bits for purchase.


Coup, The: The Shipment (Dogday)

Hip hop's most righteous revolutionaries are back. The Coup - easily the Bay's most underrated talent - comes back with a teaser from their new album, "Steal This Album", having taken some years off to stop making wild pitches. Like the Coup's best works, the beats come ultra-funky (this time fried Southern-style) and Boots especially blends fresh flow with politically-charged insight to incite. Dropping lyrics for the lumpenproletarit, The Coup is back - rappers of the world unite.


Divine Styler: Ain't Saying Nothing/Tounge of Labyrinth (Bilawn)

Freshly reissued from '89 to '98, this is still one of my favorite records. Bilal Bashir and Divine freaked the f*ck out of the Jr. Walker track to make one of the hypest hip hop beats of its era - no small thanks due to that drum loop that rocks throughout. The remix (which I hadn't heard before) drops in a little JB flavor to round it off but doesn't kill the integrity of the original beat. The flipside is some of that abstracted esotericism that Divine is both admired and maligned for but the Bomb Squad-esque noise on the beats is one sonic mess worth taking a listen to.


Eclipse: My Position/World Premiere (Conception)

Easily the best 12" I've heard out of Conception yet - I liked both sides a lot, but especially the B-side which features Arcee. Starting off with a vocal line borrowed from EPMD, the two proceed to go line-for-line over a simple, bassline-bouncin' track. "My Position" is too funkalicious with its blessed beat loop providing ample opportunity for head nodding. Real good sh*t, produced by Jake One and Moss - look for this one to finally do Conception proud.


Jurassic 5: Jayou/Without a Doubt (Rumble)

Another fat f*cking single from the J5 crew. You should already know about "Jayou" - the song with that ill "Get Up, Stand Up" flute sample running throughout. "Without a Doubt" is a new song, not on the EP which I've heard in concert and didn't really feel. But on vinyl, the beat hammers harder and the Jurassic MCs come with a bounty of lyrics - I can't front, sh*t is tight. Excellent song - don't sleep.


Mood Swingaz: The Blessin'/No Simulator (Raw Shack)

With J-Live on indefinite hiatus (or so it seems), Raw Shack is moving on to other projects, including this extremely likable new single by the Mood Swingaz. The first thing that smacks you up on "The Blessin" is that ill vocal sample. It does get in the way of the lyrics at times, but it's so distinctive, it's hard not to like. Besides, the Swingaz are coming with a decent set of lyrics, trading verses like the stock exchange. "No Stimulator" comes rougher, but not worse for the wear - simple track but believe me, you'll feel it. Production by All Those Muthaf*ckin' Reasons keeps sh*t rockin' on both sides. Play this.


Mountain Brothers: Galaxies/The Adventures Of (Mountain Brothers)

Ok - I f*cked up on the last review since I totally missed the ultra-dope "Adventures Of..." remix which is on the flipside. The chorus is still wack (sorry - but that's been the universal opinion) but the funkalicious beat is dope. Along with strong lyrics from the MB three, the "Adventures Of..." remix is the dark horse winner on this 12".


Scaramanga: Special Effects/Cash Flow/Holdin' New Cards (Fat Beats/Sun Large)

If you didn't know, Scaramanga is another alter ego of Sir Menelik but this isn't on some "Space Cadillac" sh*t. "Special Effects" features him and Godfather Don and they two do some serious mic damage over a simple, but bombastic beat that thunders along. Slammin' hip hop joint right there. "Cash Flow" is less interesting musically since it's largely powered by a unmastered drum loop. While pushing Scaramanga's lyrics to the surface, there's not enough there to justify that move. "Holdin' New Cards" is likable, not as red hot as the A, but it's better-than-average NYC hip hop.


Self Scientific: Return/Sublevel Dominance (SOL)

Self's last 12" was good, but this new 12" is marking him off as an underground MC to watch. "Return" is hot sh*t, especially the crazy jazz beat that gets looped up. The song is living proof that sampling still makes damn good sense - say what you will about lack of originality - blah, blah, blah - but when you find that right break, it just doesn't matter. "Sublevel..." gets stripped down a bit but Self Scientific's lyrics jump out all the more. I thought his stuff was decent last time, but this single really puts him in a higher category of MC talents. Definitely worth grabbing.


Styles of Beyond: Spies Like Us/Style Warz (Bilawn)

Quite possibly one of the most talented new duos to emerge on the West in a long time, Styles of Beyond follow up their excellent "Survival Tactics" without another bomb 12". "Spies Like Us" rocks the furious beats of Vin Skully - some uptempo paranoia-fueled sh*t like usual (MFs are sleeping on Vin Skully, no doubt). The B-side is produced by the Divine Styler himself and its eclectic rhythms and vox box efx only help pack the explosion of rhymes that Ryu and Tak bring on. Grab that dome tightly lest it explode from the madness. Sh*t's fat - I thought U knew?


Urbanites: Masterpiece/Peure Pressure/Shock the World (Wild West)

I'm guessing this is basically Black Forest since they keep saying it throughout the 12". I don't know much about either group 'cept to say that I'm picking up on at least two different MCs, both coming with decent delivery and lyrics (they briefly reminded me of Channel Live but don't take that as a dis). "Masterpiece" is more minimalisitc - 'tis ok, but I liked "Pure Pressure's" crispy snare hits, bassline and piano-looped hook more. However, B-side clearly wins again with a simple, but effective track that just uses a simple drum loop and a five-note synthesizer melody. Way easy to get that head bob on and lyrics arrive on time like DHL. The more I listen to it, the more I'm suprememly impressed with their flow control. Fly song and strong single.


Wee Bee Foolish: Tiger Boogs/Time Will Tell (Head Bop)

Looks like Yeshua dapo Ed has thrown his hat into the indie ring with his new band/label. Wee Bee Foolish is a bit awkward for a name, but once the beat drops, you don't really care. I don't have too much info on who else is rhyming in the group but all you need to know is that the single is niiice. Production is handled with that obscure break festish that we all love Yeshua for and while you won't be hearing this one climb the charts at radio stations where "hip hop lives" (*ha ha ha*), it should be filtering its way into underground shows from coast II coast.


**The Rest**
Good stuff worth having.

2 Rude: Innovation (Ill Vibe)

If there's a silver thread in all the industry shadiness, it's that displaced MCs are increasingly turning to the indie underground to drop material. Canadian 2 Rude steps off the mic and onto the production boards to employ the soon-to-be-solo(?) Pharoah Monche along with Saukrates (last heard on DJ Adam 12's single) to bless his lush, jazzy track and neither Monche nor Sauk disappoint. A better single than Prince Po/QB's "Long Distance" and leagues doper than the DJ Adam 12 project. 2 Rude is 2 nice on this one...


Black Fasiz: Futuristic Rymes/What Chu Know (New Realm)

Yet another "from where?" single, Black Fasiz drops in from Rhode Island's sole slice of urbania - Providence. However, this is no bumbef*ck, boondock sounding single. Production by Aftamaf comes with clean, jazzy styles and lyrics drop like hailstorms, especially on "Futuristic Rymes." The B-side is a tad flatter, mostly b/c the hook is blandiose but the beat rides well.


Brainsick: Stick to the Plan/Swinging to the Music (Brainsick)

If this is the Brainsick Mob, "Stick to the Plan" is worlds better than their last single. Beats are straight illin' - sinister and subtlely complex with four different layers of sound - good sh*t. Brainsick comes with some decent lyrics too. It's just a shame that they junk it on the b-side with some bullsh*t crossover crap with sappy beats and stolen rhyme flows. But hey - just keep it on the A-side and you'll be a'ight...


Buckshot, 5 Ft. & Evil Dee: War Zone (Duck Down)

This is basically the new Black Moon 12" except for the legal battle between Nervous (who owns the Black Moon name) and Duck Down. Anyways, MFs have been waiting a long ass time to hear the reunion of Buckshot (no offense, but is anyone really checking for the 5 Ft. Accelator?) and Evil Dee. "War Zone" isn't the return of the old Beatminerz sound. The bassline heavy, minimalistic style is much closer to the production on the Heltah Skeltah album - not bad, but just a touch bland. Don't get me wrong - this sh*t will have headz tossing fingers into the air with full neck snapping but it's not a return to the fly Black Moon remix days of '94.


Cormega: F*ck Nas! b/w Screwball: On Point (white)

*laugh* You gotta love it - now that Cormega's been left in the Firm dust, the Mega-man's hitting back with a white label dis. Frankly, it's not much to crow about - the song lacks the vitrol of Canibus' "2nd Round K.O.", but it's interesting to see the Nas backlash (much deserved in my opinion). The flipside is ok though I liked Screwball's last Hydra 12" better. This isn't a must have, but maybe for momento's sake, it's worth hunting down.


Da Fat Cat Clique: The D.E.A.N.s List/Can U Feel Me?/On Tha Level (DFCC)

Believe it or not, I found this 12" in a Honolulu record shop - my guess is that, like their last single, this one's hard as hell to track down (bad promotions/distribution). What's frustrating about the group (apart from their bad distribution) is that I think these Illadelph kids have talent, but they waste it. On this EP, the first two songs are just underwhelming despite being well-produced. It's just lyrically, it really isn't that impressive or engaging. Like we all need yet another honey song? It's not until "On the Level" that sh*t starts to burn, but DFFC has the misfortunate to sample Steely Dan's "Black Cow" - just like the freak Tariq and funny gunny Gunz. With "Deja Vu" multi-plat, DFCC just comes off looking like biters even if they don't intend to. Too bad since it's got a smoking chorus of lyricists jumping off and on.


Da Nuthouse: A Luv Supream/Synapsis/Very Vocabulary (Fondle 'Em)

Fondle 'Em keeps coming with new groups. This latest remakes John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" into their own image. Musically, it's slow, jazzy and butter - real easy to like their Coltrane (I'm assuming) sample. "Synapsis" strolls slow beat-wise as well with a cosmic whine intro flipping into a simple piano-based track. The hook is fairly reminiscent of Co-Flow, as are the lyrics - definitely some super-scientifical meets beat-down steelos. "Very Vocabulary" resurrects a classic EPMD beat (again, realllly slow) and more braggadocio lyricism. Good sh*t, but hey, it's Fondle' Em right?


Danja Mowf w/ Mad Skillz: Mowf Of Madness (804 Flava)

The original mix is some hot sh*t...Danja Mowf and Mad Skillz burn it up over some sinister strings and horn hits. Look for the definition of this one under "hype". The B-side goes pop and it doesn't blow up, you know? Stick with the A-side and you won't regret it. Danja Mowf is underrated as hell and Mad Skillz has his moments of magic (as his last several singles have suggested).


Delinquent Habits: Western Ways (Loud)

I've always liked DH's beats - "Western Ways" Pt 1. being no exception thanks to their Sade sample on the hook and the crisp high hats on the main. Lyrically though, they just don't go far enough for me - for rizeal - there's a definite geneaology with them and other Chicano MCs. Compare Pt.1 with Pt. 2 which brings on the Beatnuts and Big Pun for an all-Latino posse jam and you can see that it's not a matter of ethnicity (Pun's spitfire lyrics leave you wetted every time), just a matter of verbal steelo. Too bad the beat is mostly boring. *sigh* Hey, what can you do?


Don Scavone: The Force/Sketchy Situation (Makin')

The lastest from the Makin' folks (where the f*** is some new Natural Resource sh*t yo?) brings on the ill Silcilian, Don Scavone. Ok - so his name made me wince (Italian or not, anyone claiming gangster titles needs to get the crooked eye star from me) but once Mista Sinista's beats kick in and Scavone flexes some mic skills I didn't really care what his name was. Scratch in a "fresssshhh" for this one. The flipside has some ill turntable play by DJ Etch-a-Sketch (who programs the soul-laced beat). Scavone tries to get a little more ambitious lyrically and (along with the track) it falls short of being mad tight. I liked it as the song went on, but it took a good minute or so (vs. "The Force" which slaps you up from the get). Not exactly in same vein as Makin's releases so far (Nat. Resource and Pumpkinhead), but worth checking for. Just look for the orange label - you know the deal.


Dynasty: Wildcat/Poisonous Vibes (Fat Beats)

Looks like DJ Eclipse (Fat Beats, NYC homebody) has gotten into the indie ring. Dynasty, his first act, ain't bad - a pair of Tri-State MCs no doubt, but they can hold their own and Armstead's horn-filled track has the potential to go anthematic - wild like those 'cats in Villanova. The flipside is a little too noisy for my tastes and sounds more generic (the hook and lyrics are cut from the same teething ring that any number of NY underground MCs have used). Worth checking for though.


Fundamentals: Pow Wow/Code Red/Monkey King (Kemetic Suns)

Good local Bay Area sh*t...I really liked King Koncepts jam with Eclipse 427 on the "Rules of the Game" compilation and the two team up again on "Pow Wow", the most accessible song on the 12". What I mean is that the other two songs have fairly formulistic production tendencies - dark, conspiciously electric in some ways (especially the too-clean drums) and just not all that interesting. "Pow Wow" has the same elements but strips it down, leaving the tart, metallic snare to set it off a little lovely for Eclipse 427 and King Koncepts to take off from.


Jemini: Who Wanna Step II Dis/I.M.C.U.D.O.N.T. (Tommy Boy Black)

Looks like the rumours were true - Jemini is back. His last 12' - the ignored (and justly so) "Who Wanna Step II Dis" but Tommy Boy Black drops some remix flavor on it and adds a decent B-side. Beat-wise, neither side is super hot...variations on Wu Tang themes though the B-side's string-heavy track is easier to get into than the jumbled "Who Wanna" beat. Jemini's main strength has always been his lyrics - more because of his "two-faced" delivery but he's got some decent content. Of the two, I'll give it up to "I MC U Don't" but neither side impressed me as much as his old sh*t like "Funk Soul Sensation" or other selections off his unreleased "Scarz and Painz" EP.


Latyrx: Lady Don't Tek No EP (Solesides)

This isn't the same thing as the new Muzappers EP (which is different from the old Muzappers Mixes EP - I know, it gets confusing). However, I'm guessing that the only difference b/t this vinyl 12" and the Muzappers EP is perhaps a track or two since the two new songs, "Lost in the Feelin'" and "Regions" are both on this EP. Anyways, if you haven't already heard "Lady Don't Tek No" or "Cloud #9", clearly, you've been snoozing a bit. Look for my older review at www2.jps.net/~owang/groove.html but as for the two new songs...."Lost in the Feelin'" has the better beat by far. Some ol' funk bump sh*t - lyrically though, Lyrics Born and Lateef are doing more crooning than straight rhyming. In all candidness, I liked it, but I suspect that others out there won't. "Regions" is similarly esoteric, but more importantly (to me at least) is that the beats are forgettable and thus, so was the song.


LMNO: Radiant/Verb Derby (Concentrated)

You either like LMNO's flow or you don't. It's his single biggest liability in my opinion which is a shame since his poetics are actually provacative...he's coming with some tight conceptual sh*t at times. Likewise, production on both sides is some of Evidence's most ambitious tracks, particularly on the intricate "Radiant" but the flipside, "Verb Derby" is ill as well. In the end equation, LMNO comes off much better than he has in the past, but haters will stay hate. The rest of you - keep an ear out for this one.


Lord Digga: My Flows is Tight/Sacks 5th Ave. (Game)

All praises due to the "Price is Right" jingle running throughout (but it's really the bassline that powers the track) - however, is it me or is Lord Digga's flow actually not very tight at all? It sounds off-beat and awkward which confuses me b/c his older rappin' work was always pretty consistent with good flow control. I really felt "My Flows Is Tight" wasn't. "Sacks 5th Ave" isn't a huge improvement, but once again, production is crazy nice...a very smooth number. All in all, I liked the 12", but just felt it fell short of its lyrical potential.


Neek the Exotic: Exotic's Raw/Rip 'Em Flip 'Em/Rock the Mic (Wastelanz)

In one of answers to hip hop's perplexing "whatever happened to" questions, Neek (last heard with Large Professor on "Fakin Da Funk") resurfaces, once again with the Extra P in tow. Hip hop's ill-tempered producer comes back to drop rhymes and beats on "Exotic's Raw" and Neek comes hot n' heavy with his verbals on all three songs. "Rip 'Em Flip 'Em's" funky-space-age beats are kinda groovy and "Rock the Mic" is decent sh*t too. No one (well, almost no one) is gonna remember Neek from his one bright time in the sun, but this 12" serves as a more than adequate reintroduction.


Nonce (The),: Live & Direct/ADR Most Requested (Wild West)

Talk about your hiatuses...after their last album in '95, the Nonce simply fell off the face of the earth until this 12" re-emerged. The kids who once sell mix tapes can still MC, but in the intervening years, they've added a harder edge to their vocals which I'm not necessarily feeling. Word - we don't need more hardcore MCs...there's something to be said for cool finesse, feel me? That's why I wasn't really feeling "Live & Direct" but a quick flip and the Nonce are back to their smooth steez on "ADR Most Request". Mmmmm...tre groovy track and lyrics...definitely the side that I'm digging more. Check for this.


Onyx: React/Broke Willies/Shut 'Em Down (Def Jam)

That Onyx is working on yet another album seems like a remarkable feat to me since they haven't really had a hot single in years (and that includes the over-hyped pairing with Wu Tang on the "Ride" sndtrk). This latest 12" should last a hot nano-second and then, only in New York. "React" resurrects yet another old school track and "Shut 'Em Down" is a throwaway song, with or without the over-rated Noreaga and Big Pun. What I actually did like was "Broke Willies" where Keith Horne's ill beats overcame whatever reservations I might have had about Onyx's rhyme schemes. Yeah, it too brings in some '80s pop sample on the chorus (you'll recognize it when you hear it) but it's not as egregious as many other songs I could name. Much to my surprise - I'm feeling it...


Sacred Hoop: Retired EP (Miasmatic)

I confess - I slept on this one when it first came out last year. A local Bay Area underground group, Sacred Hoop put together a very imaginative EP on "Retired". While parts of it got a tad too esoteric for me, there were some songs which I thought were all that and then some. For starters though - hey, nice call on the blood red vinyl - I usually feel colored vinyl gets a tad gimmicky but the shade of crimson worked for me. As for songs I dug, definitely don't pass up "Bathtub Gin" which is jazzily funky or was that funkily jazzy? You get the pix. Equally enticing is the eclectic Panhandle which starts off with some ill vocals and polyrhythmatic drumming and gradually shifts into a nice thumping pace. Cameoing on that joint is Jihad from Third Sight who has one helluva low end MC voice (think Saafir, just deeper). A nice EP for underground fans - if the tape version got past you in '97, don't let this vinyl plate pass you up in '98.


Starvin Art Clique: Showbiz EP (Overkast)

Another artist that I know next to 'nil about 'cept that one of the main MCs is called Klepto (why does that sound familiar? Hmm....) Production ranges from jazzy smooth to straight sparse to drippy dippy. The bulk of the EP is good: "Real Relations" is the jazzy one - the lyrics by Klepto are ok, but the subject matter is a tad tired (though not as bad as "Alone" on the B-side). "The Night" is throwaway commercial in sound. "Showbiz" itself is totally stripped down in sound, usually a sign that you're supposed to pay more attention to the MCing. I can feel it though they could have cooked up the beat just a little hotter. This isn't a must-have 12", but it's worth listening to if you get the chance.


Vinyl Reanimators: Guess Who's Back/Find Out/Keep It Bubblin' (white)

Sean C's proliferation of white label remixes is only outdone by his increasing quality. The "Guess Who's Back" remix reflips a beat last heard used by KRS, but it works amazingly well with the R. Sean C's remix for "Find That" steps above Marley Marl's limited original - sinister styles for the overweight duo of Fat Joe and Big Pun. And lastly, his beats for Brand Nubian on "Keep It Bubblin'" are a massive improvement over the dippy original. There's also a bonus Rakim remix, though I wasn't feeling it as much. Good sh*t for those into the remix thang.


Wu Tang Cream Team Line Up (Loud)

One of the first singles off the latest Funkmaster Flex mixtape/LP isn't the best Wu song - "Bring the Hammer Down" is far doper, but "Wu Tang Cream Team" ain't bad - if not a tad uneven. It's hard to put someone like Killa Sin - who's decent - up against the likes of Raekwon though. It's nice to see the Wu try to expand their posse cuts beyond just the starting team. Beat-wise DJ Scratch handles it vs. the Rza and while it's decent, it's not all that special save for the scratching on the hooks which is fairly rare for the Wu (since they don't seem to have a DJ in the group). Not that big of a deal.


Xzibit: What U See Is What U Get (Loud)

Not a bad song at all but instead of using the same beat that the Mudkids and Ill Advised have already JUST flipped, I would have liked Jesse West to have either kept the funky-ass intro loop going or kept that horn-play more prominent rather than the synth whine that's getting too familiar nowadays. BUT - the X to the Z comes off like promo stickers and it's hard not to like him once he gets rolling with the verbals.


Yard Massive: Representation/To the Motions/Straight Outta Cali/On and On (Black Scorpion)

Fresno's finest, Planet Asia, fresh off his Bay Area collabs with Grand and Rasco respectively, joins up with his larger crew on this new Yard Massive 12". Asia and company flow finely, especially on "Representation" which has the best production on the EP (albeit a little understated). Unfortunately tight beats lack bomb beats as Asia misses the sonic touch of Fanatik and Kutmaster Kurt on most of the EP's songs. Not bad sh*t, but with the right trackmaster, Planet Asia could be blowing up globally.


**The Un-Essential**

Bazooka Joe Gotti: Hookin' Up the Town (Rugged Legend)

I just love this guy's name - Bazooka Joe Gotti as Mexicali Slim. I mean...c'mon, this sh*t is outta control. I'm just waiting for the day rappers start calling themselves Big Joe Stalin and A-Def Hitler or some sh*t like that.


Buc Fifty: Still Breathin'/Dead End Street (Soul Assassins)

Frankly, the 12" got mislabeled so I have no idea what the name of the A-side is ("Still Breathin' is a best-guess). Luckily, it's fairly unremarkable so just skip it and flip sides. Producer, The Alcehmist, last heard on the first Dilated Peoples 12" comes ill on "Dead End Street" with some ol' Kool G Rap sounding piano drops. Too bad Buc Fifty is more like a nickel rate rapper - not horrible, but wholly unremarkable.


Cam'Ron w/ Mase: Horse & Carriage (Untertainment)

It occurs to me: in 10 years, no one's going to either remember or care who either of these fools were. And I smile at that knowledge.


Diezzle Don/Govna/Funk Doc: Ghetto Red Hot/Step Into the Realm (Lock Down)

Boring! I don't care if Redman cameos as the Funk Doc, but Diezzle Don needs to find a new angle to use than just THC inspired lyrics and topics.


Dres: Pardon Me (Nu Gruv)

"Oops, pardon me oops, as I come wack." Ok, maybe I'm being a little harsh, but if you've heard this song, you have to ask: "Yo, what happened to Dres?" When he was down with Blacksheep (even on their flat second album), Dres was something fierce as an MC. Now his once-vaunted flow has fallen into the verbal dustbins - sounding a lot like your generic NYC MCs. Production isn't much to jump up for either. Alas, how the mighty have fallen.


Flipmode Squad: Everybody on the Line Outside/Run For Cover (white)

A single that only the most desperate Flipmode Squad fan could love (though I'm enough of a fan of Raw Digga that I actually listened to the B-side all the way through).


MOP w/ Jay Z: 4 Alarm Blaze (Relativity)

If only Rick Rubin was still in the hip hop biz...MOP would be the fulfillment of his sonic fantasies - a rap band that can't stop with the rock blocks. MOP's latest sampling victim is "Eye of the Tiger" (from Rocky fame) and with the help of the Jay Z they try to set the wax on fire with "4 Alarm Blaze" in that yell-at-the-top-of-your-lungs steez that MOP is so well known for (gun clappers of the world unite!) Personally, it's a little too cock-rocky for me, but hey, maybe you long-haired freakazoids out there can feel it.


Opus Akeben: Vibe & Emotion (BMG France)

One is curious to know why a group out of Baltimore is signed to a French label. I mean - I know it's tough to get signed state-side, but damn....BMG France? Song-wise, it's not their sh*t is wack or anything (nor is it amazing though). Beats on the original mix are flipping some live funk, B-side gets more sampled based and jazzy. Decent stuff and the group verbal efforts are ok but not far beyond the average.


Paula Perry: Extra, Extra/Down to Die For This (Mad Sounds)

Perry hooks up with Primo this time around for yet another sub-par Premier beat (basically, it sounds like some sh*t he had lying around on the editing floor...it's certainly not bad, but it ain't no "Robinhood Theory"-level beatmaking either). Perry herself - well, you know her steez. In the constellation of female MCs, she's not exactly shining like Sirius but at least she's no Leschea. Can U feel it? Eh - maybe for a hot second, but don't weep if this one gets past you.


Siamese: Musical Chairs (Epic)

Imagine Wyclef producing and L-Boogie crossed with Missy. No wonder the artist is called "Siamese" - it's like she's twins to all these styles. For a bonafide style biter, the single's actually not that bad - I liked it decently, but it's sound-alike status made it hard to take seriously.


U-N-I VS-ALL sampler EP (Universal)

Universal is starting to become THE label for a particular breed of NYC MCs (call 'em the Hot 97 clique). This sampler EP is really for the die-hard Big Apple fandom since I can't imagine too many other folks really wanting to listen to The Reepz with "Take the Train". The B-side is a tad better if only b/c it's a collection of different freestyle joints (not unlike Universal's limited edition Canibus EP from a few months ago). The McGruff one is decent if only b/c they rock the "Tried by 12" koto beat and Tracey Lee comes a'ight over yet another use of "Apache". Short shelf life, but not worthless.


Youssou N' Dour & Canibus: How Come (Interscope)

Are the Bulworth folks going to release EVERY single song from the soundtrack? Damn near looks like that... Anyways, listening to this one again, am I the only one who thinks it sounds a LOT like Nas' "If I Ruled the World?" both in style and delivery? Just a conjecture...