Aceyalone: Mic Check b/w Headaches and Woes (!!) & Feet Upon Da Table (!!!)

The BOMB. No question. The A-side should've been dumped and it only makes me question who's calling the shots at Capital, but the B- side, oh my lord. Headaches and Woes isn't a dance cut, but it is PURE lyrical genius. I can't even describe it, you just gotta listen to Acey drop the science on his art. There's also a remix which I thought was more serious (in sound) but less effective. The original track has a jazzy playfulness whereas the remix gets deeper in the low end. Doesn't work for me.

Feet Upon Da Table SLAMS. Simple as that. Featuring: Vic Hop, Riddler, Acey, La Khule, Mark the Murdere (Chill) and Abstract Rude, this cut would catch mad wreck if only they dropped a radio edit for all us FCC-tagged DJs. Dope beat, lyr ics to make your jaws drop. Alladat. ALLADAT.(CAPITOL) Headaches is so crazy, I can't tell if it's 71 or 142bpm. The remix clocks in at 122. Feet Upon...:92.5.

Artifacts: Dynamite Soul (!!!) b/w Who I Am (!!)

Now THIS is how a 12" should be done. Fat ass remix plus an unreleased B-side that's slamming. Considered how bad their LP got slept on, Artifacts are coming with some SH*T on their 12"s. The Dynamite Soul II remix with Mad Skillz is alladat, great beat, great lyrics. The B-side, Who I Am, hasn't gone over that well with everyone but I thought it was fantastic. The chorus might sound corny but it flows well in my ears. A must have 12". (BI G BEAT) A:91, B:89

Roy Ayers: Nasté

Overall, the single has four mixes, the original by Ayers himself, the other three by DJ Smash. For the most part, I only liked one mix, the Live Vibe mix, but it's a strong track. On this cut, DJ Smash splices the "Top Billin'" beat so that it both is and isn't the same beat. It's a simple chop but a good one. Plus, the track has a nice laid back...vibe to it (imagine that). (GROOVETOWN) 85BPM

AZ: Sugar Hill b/w Rather Unique

Yo, I like AZ, but if people are going to compare him to Nas, they can't do it on the strength of the overly sugary Sugar Hill which, while cool, is too crossover to compete with sh*t like Halftime or One Love. Still, that's not to say that AZ can't f low on and on. The Pete Rock B-side is cool too though it still proves to me that Pete Rock saves the best beats for himself. (EMI) A:92BPM, B:88

Battlecat: On Top of the World b/w Stone Cold Nut

The track is mad smooth and funky cool without sounding played (unlike the weaker B-side). Battlecat's a new lyricist outta LA and his homeboy Ahmad drops a cameo set of verses. Worth checking out. (MAVERICK) 85BPM.

Beenie Man: Slam

Another dancehall/hip hop crossover cut, this time around, the Dynamic Duo (who have also remixed for Capleton) throw down the "I Got It Made" beat. Nice, especially for those mixers and blenders out there. (ISLAND JAMAICA) 95BPM

Big Kap: Da Ladies in the House (!) b/w Big Kap Is Illin

From the Funkmaster Flex stables comes Big Kap who makes his Tommy Boy debut with 'nuff flavor. Da Ladies in the House rocks for the most part...a smooth beat lulls the listener into getting smacked by the drum loop that hits later. Bahamadia and the L (Lauryn from the Fugees) come OFF big time but Uneek needs to get off the Onyx tip.

The B-side is cool too...another female (who's name isn't in the credits of my promo) lyricist shares mic duties with Big Kap. Nothing mind blowing, but cool to bump. (TOMMY BOY) A:82BPM, B:93BPM

Big L: MVP b/w Summer Smooth remix

The A-side LP mix is strong, one of the better tracks from an otherwise ok, but unastounding album. The B-side Summer Smooth remix is actually one of the few "smooth" remixes that I could get into and enjoy without thinking it was too R&B crossover. Remixer Salah earns props. It's a very cool-out-vibe-y type joint. Plus, I like the Biz sample at the intro. (COLUMBIA) 89BPM

Bounty Killer: Celluar Phone (remix)(!!)

If you don't have this yet, you betta ask somebody. The SH*T. Ok? The SH*T. (label unknown) 93BPM

D&D All Stars: One, Two Pass It

Now that it's actually out...I gotta say that it's good, just not great. For the most part KRS killed and Jeru jammed but no one else represented all that well IMO. Premier's track was ok too...a very versitile producer but ya'll knew that right? A cool track to have, but don't trip, knowhatI'msaying? (ARISTA) 89BPM

Dark Skin Assassins: Lock Sh*t Down (!) b/w The Horror b/w Gotta Get the Cream

A SOLID 12" through and through, this has three great cuts on it. The only thing I could possibly say negative is that they're a tad too Wu Tang-ish to my liking, but even that doesn't ruin it. The first cut and the B-side are the strongest of the th ree ("The Horror" sounds like the Gravediggaz too much)...RNS provides production (which explains the link to Shao Lin). Just GET the 12". (DOE LOE) L.S.D.:87BPM, G.G.t.C.:80BPM

Ill Biscuits: God Bless Your Life (!) b/w 22 years (!!) b/w Beyond Understanding

Some of THE best sh*t I've heard from an artist that no one's heard of. All their sh*t is mad jazzy smooth and is just nice to cool out to. Lyrically too, I like their style...reality-based without being too dark like Mobb Deep. Lord Finesse does th e B-side, 22 Years, which is the strongest cut on the 12". All three tracks have instrumentals too which makes this 12" a fantastic find. (KHARI) A&B:91, B.U.:95

Joya: Gettin Off On You

Following up her sizzling single, "I Like What You're Doing to Me", Joya drops another nice blend of soul over hip hop beats. Gettin Off On You uses the same sample that Anotha Level had on their first single and it works well with Joya flow. There's also an Eddie F Untouchables remix which didn't move me, but the 12" is still flava. (ATLAS) 91BPM

Junior Mafia: Player's Anthem

What? Biggie again? Yup. It's a cool track and one that'll probably get overplayed on commercial radio just like all of BIG's other songs. I like the remix though...DJ Clark Kent hasn't dropped sh*t in years it seems and he comes through with a simple horn flavored track that doesn't completely rework the original track, it just builds on it. Too bad the instrumentals are actually dubs. (Big Beat) A:90,remix:89

Key Kool: Can U Hear It? b/w E=MC5 (!!)

Call me ethnocentric but Key Kool earns dap in my book for being one of the first AsAm-ers to rock the mic (along with the Soleside's Lyrics Born). He doesn't fall flat at all though I wasn't exactly blown away on his A-side...nor on the remix by Rhettmatic. However, the B- side is what people are buzzing about...Ras Kazz, Voodoo, Mean Green and Key Kool all represent their respective crews to the fullest...a fat B- side marred by the wick, wick, wack lyrics of LMNO (no, it's not Elemental...it's LMNO). Sorry kid, but my man DJ Oni One straight took your verses out using double 12"s when he played the cut on my show. You deserved it too. (UP ABOVE) A&B:97BPM

Da Mad Scientist: Never Fear b/w Maintain

A friend said this was the best sh*t since "Supa Star" which I'd have to disagree with, but then again, I wasn't that hyped on "Supa Star" anyway. Still, this underground NY artist drops an ILL piano loop on the A-side, Never Fear. Bare bones with some dusted drums and just lyrics on top of lyrics. Personally, I liked the music on the B- side better but their both cool. Is Da Mad Scientist 'bout to blow up? Peep the single and decide. (ROACH) A:92, B:85

Mad Skills: Nod Factor (!!!) b/w Skillz in 95 b/w Live Freestyle on Stretch Armstrong Show (!!)

Nod Factor is one of my favorite singles of the summer...sure, the Beatnuts might flip "Superman Lover" on, but they chop it up in a new way and to pure listening satisfaction. The track, the lyrics, everything is TIGHT. Mad Skillz come correct with some great lines, especially the one about "Electronic Company Spiderman MCs saying nothing". Hold on for a sec...how many of ya'll actually heard and got that line? Damn, well, I remember growing up watching the Electronic Company on PBS and sure enoug h, Spiderman never did say a f-in word.

The B-side, produced by Large Professor, is ok but I'm not really tripping. The freestyle is a classic from what I hear and he does come with some sh*t on that clip. This 12" should become a classic. (BIG BEAT) A:95, B:89

Mannish: Expect That

Don't know much background about this artist at all except that it's got a nice underground, jazzy flavor to it. Find it where you can and decide for yourself. I approve. (???) 90BPM

Monica: Don't Take It Personal remixes

Of the four remixes I liked half of 'em. The Biz Markie drops some of that "Original B I Z" flavor for ya but to be honest, my favorite is the Mainstream mix (!) which is the fat original ("Back Seat of My Jeep" bassline) mix plus an additional jazz guitar loop which sounds suspiciously like it was lifted from Betty Wright's classic "Clean Up Woman." No matter, I LIKE this track, PMS overtones or not. (ROWDY) Mainstream mix:89BPM, Biz mix:91BPM

Nine: Ova Confident remix b/w Famaldahyde

The remix retains the fat elements from the original but flips the script for a new sound. It's a bit lighter, but not weaker than the original. More importantly, A.R.L.'s cameo shows some lyrical skills. The B-side is your basic Nine rhyme with a b etter than average beat to go behind it. Rob Lewis has got a nice style to his sh*t that I can dig. A solid 12". (PROFILE) A:88BPM, B:97BPM

Raw Produce: Cycles b/w Make a Mark (!)

Comin' straight outta Cambridge MA and off of rec.music.hip-hop is Raw Produce. I admit I find the name questionable, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the three tracks on here. For one thing, my man DJ Pitch drops some NICE beats. Cycle s begins with a Q-Tip sample and flows into some jazzy-type bass. Make a Mark has more of that underground feel to it with a rollling bassline. And the remix comes bubbly and lively with a nice chorus of voices. All three tracks include instrumentals b y the way. Lyrically, Raw Produce comes with some decent sh*t. My man Beni B thought it sounded a bit "too happy" but I thought the lyrics were well rhymed and formed, especially for kids outta Cambridge... Get the 411 on this pair and see for yourself ...Insomnia Records: 617-776-7491 (INSOMNIA) Cycles:91BPM, M.a.M.:92

Slum Brothers: The Sure Shot(!!!) b/w 6 Million MCs

My favorite cut out of the East (along with Grand Puba's "I Like It") for the last two months. The piano loop is simple but is just TIGHT. The B- side is a'ight, but you can't sleep on "The Sure Shot." (SUICIDE) 88BPM

Souls of Mischief: Rock It Like That b/w Sho Fo Real

THEY'RE BACK!!! SofM in the HOUSE... Well, it ain't "That's When Your Lost" but the A-side track's got some flavor to it, no questions. Hella horns, Oakland bass and fly ass lyrics from the fearless foursome. Opio came through on the track. Lyr ically, they've tweaked a style a bit...I think they sound a bit harder than last time around and I actually liked their playful style better. Still, the skills are there even if they're packaged differently.

The B-side is smoothed out (Toure on t he production tip) and in my opinion, weaker and just not that big o' a deal. My man Zen took it straight to their face last Friday when SofM came down to the Joint in LA...Souls just played off his tackful critique ("Yo man, the B-side...I just didn't f eel it") Response: "Well, you know, we've been getting mixed responses on that." I think it's a cool cut, but I doubt it'll come close to be my favorite track off of "No Man's Land." (JIVE) 91BPM (both A&B)

Whitey Don: Artical

I'm not that knowledgeable about dance-hall but I do know that Phife from ATCQ comes off on this record. Plus, the promo's on milk white vinyl so it's gimmicky-cute too. The beat's no biggee, but the 5ft. Assassin comes NICE. (JIVE) 88BPM

Alkaholiks: Next Level remix (!)

Hey, they sampled "King of Pain" by the Police and came with a fat track. That alone makes me give them dap. The lyrics could be a little less dumb ("the safest place to have sex...") but Diamond's got a nice cameo. (LOUD) 94BPM

Blaque Spurm: Dayz and Dayz b/w The Cycle

Hmm...well, I can't give too much dap for the name. The tracks are cool...jazzvibe-y if you knowhatimean... Lyrically though, nothing that slap me 'cross the face. It's ok...probably will make some airplay here and there...then disappear. Sorry, but for a debut single, it doesn't carry the strength to susta in itself IMO.(ILL) BPM:n/a/

BIG: Gimme One More Chance remixes b/w The What radio edit

Dump that punk smooth sh*t remix and just flip on the Hip Hop remix (!!). Yeah, I think Biggie is waaaaay overexposed but I can't front when the sh*t is hitting like this track. Also, I like The What? a lot but a radio edit for that track made no sense since it sounds like half the verses were edited out. They should have just had Biggie and Method Man redo the whole song with new lyrics. (BAD BOY) H.H.remix:93BPM, The What?:89BPM

Black Sheep: H.A.A. (!!!)

This is on the B-side of their latest single, "North South East West" and even the 12" has been out for weeks, I gotta give love to this B-side which is THE most devestating dis track I've ever heard on wax. Lawnge and Dres straight serve Hammer with verse after verse of hilarious capping that should Hammer think twice about ever opening his trap again. (MERCURY) 85BPM

The B.U.M.S.: Take a Look Around b/w Rain

Bottomline: The original track had a cool vibe to it that most of the remixes don't improve upon except for Joe Quixx's "Groovebumz" remix that I liked a lot (but didn't come with an instrumental!) The BUMS are not your typical sounding Oakland group, though lyrically you can hear their East O roots. Rain features a cameo set of verses by Saafir...only problem is that the track is so light sounding that it doesn't fit with Saafir's complex flow. Just a bad match. (PRIORITY) A:89, Rain:94.5

Bushwackas: Caught Up In the Game b/w Lay It On Me

I wasn't that bowled over by their last single, but this new one caught me by surprise. Producer Buckwild hooks up a very soulful (as opposed to his usual jazzy) track that I could really feel along with the lyrics. The B-side didn't move me. (PALLAS ) 87BPM

Channel Live: Reprogram b/w remix

The follow-up to their FAT "Mad Izm" 12", this single has got flavor on both sides though I'm not excessively geeked off of 'em. The A-side, KRS-One produced version, is bass heavy and simplistic, the type of beat Mad Lion would be at home with.

The remix, by Easy Mo Bee, has a dark feel to it, and I like it just for the fact that it doesn't sound too much like Easy Mo Bee's other stuff, a problem he needs to seriously address if he's going to sustain credibility. New lyrics too by Channel Liv e. (CAPITOL) 82BPM (A&B)

Closed Caption: Album sampler

To make a long story short, this 6 track sampler has ok beats, but it's just doesn't stand out against all the other playalistic records out there. I do give props to the production on the A-side track: "Harvest" which is the main reason why I'm keepi ng the single. (Ice Chamber) 81BPM

Crooked: Just Call Me Murderer b/w When I Rise b/w Rest in Peace

Crooked is a new artist on the Jive/Zomba label, but his debut single didn't exactly bowl me over. Of the three tracks, only "Rest in Peace" is worth recommending, and even then, it sounds waaaay Wu-Tang-ish (not that this is anything new). It's got a cool beat and Crooked comes off with a decent flow.(JIVE) 78BPM

Faith: You Used to Love Me

She married Biggie? Damn... Despite her celebrity marital status, Faith holds her own with a nice soul track...even if it is a Chucky track. (BAD BOY) 90BPM

Frankie Cutlass Presents Rayvon: Girls Fresh

Not the newest sh*t out there...but underground, the Funkmaster Flex remix jacks "All for One". A good party cut for the dancehall/hip hop crowd. East Coast style bwoy! (HOODY) 99BPM

Jemini: The Funk Soul Sensation remixes

Though the original single came out a while back, the remixes are fairly new and the Godfather remix (!!) is the main reason why I'm giving this single props. The Godfather Don loops Johnny Watson's "Superman Lover"...yeah, the same track that Dre made famous with "Afro Puffs" and the Beatnuts flipped for Mad Skills', "The Nod Factor"...however, the track sounds fresh and original, unlike all those MFs who sampled "Between the Sheets".

The Soul G remix is ok and it's got new lyrics, but the funk sample isn't as clever as the A-side. I'm going with the Godfather reworking as the sure shot on this 12". (MERCURY) A:85BPM B (remix):87

Lil Shawn: Dom Perignon

Now some may clown me but I like this track if for nothing else that Lil Shawn doesn't embarass himself and the loop...the loop. Produced by Red Hot Lover Tone (one of the most underrated artists out there IMO), it jacks a song that I should know but can't think of at the moment. Hear it and you'll know it fo sho. I like it. Ok? (UPTOWN) 101BPM

LOTUG: Faith b/w Neva Faded & What I'm After (remix)

Faith's a cool track except that the beat has gotten a lot of use in the last year: Mic Geronimo & K-Dee both used it to. Even so, it's a good cut with a good message behind it. Nice mellow feel.

Neva Faded hits harder and I liked this cut off the album a lot too. In general, the lyrical gift displayed on the first album was not as well represented on their sophomore effort but even still, cuts like Faith and Neva Faded stil l display LOTUG's potential.

What I'm After is best recommended for Keith Murray's verses. But ay yo...what's up with the new flow style by LOTUG? Their voices sound about two octaves lower. Why everyone gotta sound hard? Plus the beat just ain't that much to trip off, kn owhatimean?(PENDULUM) BPM:n/a

Luniz: I Got Five On It

To borrow from Mad Skillz, if you haven't heard this track yet, "you're either dead or a mannequin." Their Oakland-local. They're blowing the hell up. It's all good. (NOO TRYBE) 88BPM

Mary J Blige: I'm Going Down remix

Here's a good example of a good remix that might have ended up as a sure shot except that I think it's past its prime. C'mon though, Mary J singing over the beat from "The What?". Hella fat. (UPTOWN) 87BPM

Mic Geronimo: Masta IC b/w Time to Build

It's been out for a while, but the Buckwild production on Masta IC still makes it a great listen. Mic Geronimo still reminds me of Nas, but he can hold his own (how 'bout him, AZ and Nas do a record together?). The B-side was slept on heavily, but wa ke up...peep the lyrics by JZ who's about to blow up, according to my man Matt Africa, on Payday records. (BLUNT) M.I.:87BPM, T.T.B.:96BPM

Naughty By Nature: Feel Me Flow b/w Hang Out and Hustle

A MUCH better single than Craziest, Feel Me Flow has got a nice vibe to it that I can't help but like. I just wish they put an instrumental on here. The EA Ski remix is surprising given Ski's West Coast foundation, but it works and I have to say I ac tually enjoyed it. The B-side didn't move me all that much but I know other people think it's fat. (TOMMY BOY) A:91BPM, B:94BPM

Onyx: Live b/w Kali Ranks: Kill Dem All

The track is ok, very NY bass-oriented...but lyrically? My man D- Mad said it best after hearing it: "Damn man, it's Nineteen Ninety Five." The better find is the dancehall cut on the B by Kali Ranks. A good track with a well produced intro th at builds up the cut before dropping the beat. I think this dancehall cut won't make it onto the commercial version of the Onyx 12" though I could be wrong. Look for the promo. (DEF JAM) Onyx:89BPM, Kali:94BPM

The Points: Self-titled

I'd like this track better if A) they just went with Lawnge's mix and B) they dropped about half the lyricists. Who comes off? Busta Rhymes, Redman, Coolio. Biggie's sh*t is typical, not bad, but not that great. What's up with Buckshot's two lines? Everyone else could've stayed home. Plus I didn't like the Easy Mo or U-Neek remixes that much at all. (PolyGram) Lawnge:94

Pump Ya Fist: KRS-One: Ah Yeah remixes b/w Rakim: Shades of Black remix b/w Jeru: Frustrated Ni**a radio edit

KRS-One remxies: The Diamond D remix is ok, but definitely not superior to the original track. It makes the song sound too light which doesn't match the Blastmasters seething lyrics. The Alternate Piano Mix (!!) is TIGHT though. Not that much different track-wise save a flavor little piano loop. However, KRS drops new lyrics on an extra set of verses and that alone makes this 12" worth it.

Rakim remix: Easy Mo Bee drops a bouncier beat for Rakim Allah to flow over on the remix. It's cool, but to be honest, Rakim just isn't "Paid In Full" anymore, know what I mean?

Jeru radio edit: Nothing new save the radio edit, but it's a decent cut and I'm glad it's clean now.(AVATAR) KRS:78BPM, Rakim:93.5BPM, Jeru:92BPM

The Roots: Proceed Part II, IV & V

If you don't have this 12"...you need it. Go buy it. Buy doubles. The Roots have yet to drop a poor single...it's too bad that their sh*t is selling as well as it deserves. The Proceed V, Beatminerz remix (!!) is the sh*t...peep that snare! Proceed II, off of the Red, Hot and Cool compilation still gets props from me for it's jazzy coolness. Proceed IV sounds "liver" but didn't move me as much, but this 12" is still slamming. (IMPULSE) PartV:92, PartIV:101

Shaggy: Boombastic (Sting remix)

I like the Marvin Gaye, "Let's Get It On" sample, but the single's already been over played. (VIRGIN) 85BPM

Special Ed: Neva Go Back b/w Just a Killa

It's an ok track, but I guess I can't get into his new lyrical style that much, plus Howie Tee's production wears thin after a couple of listens. The B-side sounded mediocore to me. (PROFILE) 86BPM

Sunz of Man: Five Arch Angels b/w Soldiers of Darkness