Man...not to get disrespectful, but it would have been more appropiate if Big Shug and Melachi formed Group Home b/c it'd be the pairing of the GangStarr Foundation's two weakest members. I though "F.A.L.A." was tight, but Shug hasn't put out anything CLOSE to as dope since. He keeps rhyming about the same sh*t on this cut as he did on Krush's LP (see below) and his other 12" that came out a while back. He neither has particularly strong flow or lyrics. The beat, produced by C-Bess is a'ight...the instrumental makes for a decent, though not stellar, have. (PAYDAY)

But damn, Danger Part II takes the feel of Danger and just pumps the juice...I can't get enough of this cut... Blahzay is joined by Trigga (who needs to get off the "Broken Language" tip), Smoothe Da Hustla and one other kid who's name I forgot. The beat is served up by Premier if rumor's are true and this whole cut has got all the right elements to be a worthy sequel to Danger. Get with it. (FADER)

In what's going to be one in a long line of unreleased, white label singles, Chino XL is back, post-Art of Origin, with Deliver. This single embodies the best and worst of his album (see album review below)...incredibly cutting "punch rhymes" but less-than-exciting beats. My album review was more diplomatic...but I'll be straight with ya'll...Deliver is kinda mediocore on the production tip, as is most of Chino's album despite lyrics that'll getcha looking for the rewind button. On the bright side, this 12" has radio-edited acapellas...very sharp decision by the label/artist. Make your own mix... (AMERICAN)

Another "no big deal" cut from GURU's "Ill Kid Sampler". GURU's self produced beat is slow and shuffles with more of a "ghetto gold" feel (ala "Sugar Hill") than East New York style. It's not a bad cut, just not particularly bombing... (PAYDAY)

But the B-side is where the real bomb sits in waiting. Braggin Writes is old school done in the true school style. J Live not only supplies a non-stop, almost chorus free lyrical barrage, but he also shows that he's got some skills on the 1s and 2s by scratching up the simple background track. It's simple, a bit raw, and totally fat. You can't HELP but like this cut in my opinion. (RAW SHACK)

On the Shao Lin tip, this artist on Select's roster is ok...I wasn't dazzled by him...or the track, but it's not bad or anything. People who like that ruff n' rugged style will probably enjoy this single. (SELECT)

Conceptually, I give Messiah credit for taking putting a different spin on the "survival of the fittest" theme though the chorus could've been a bit better. Overall though, I like the cut...the production is good...very East coast in vibe appeal...reminded me a lot of the Trendz of Culture...maybe they used the same sample? Lyrically, Messiah comes correct, clever too...he's not the best new MC I've heard out of NY, but you could do a lot worse. (MESSENGER)

Another strong underground 12" from Philly. Exercise flips the same sample that ATCQ used on "Bonita Applebaum" but uses just the first note (hear it and you'll know what I mean) and powers it with a nice, bumping drum track with a strongly placed high hat (it's worth noting b/c it's so obvious). Strong lyrics by Munk who shows good breath control in his flow techniques. Shadows (there's a remix which doesn't sound that much different) is tight too...the track, by the Militant Mind...is haunting...definitely sounds like some DITC type sampling...hella scratchy with a tight five note bassline. The female vocalizing isn't crossover...more like what you'd expect on a Gravediggaz cut. Munk is a little more serious on this cut...I think he was a little more versatile on Exercise, but this is definitely a strong cut as well. Great 12"...Philly is representing well... (ILADELPH)

I'm not as in touch with the underground as I should/could be, but it seems to me that these are some of the HARDEST working MFs out there, at least in my parts of town. FINALLY, the MJs have come out with vinyl after selling what seems like hella underground tapes. The original "unsigned and hella broke" duo has put out a EP that represents a lot of their flavor, but not necessarily their best sh*t. I think part of it is that they bleed the underground concept to death...like any topic, you talk too much about it and it gets a bit tired. The production is good...very home-quality, but that's cool with me...it's a refreshing change from the overly pristine funk tracks that one gets drowned in around the Bay. I do encourage people to check out this EP...it's definitely showing that the West coast has a viable hip hop underground despite whatever sh*t is spoken. But I also recommend that people, yes, even vinyl die hards like myself, hook up with their tapes and check out some of their doper sh*t. Peep their homepage. (OUTHOUSE)

Not a bad cut from a new female artist on MCA who gives a woman's perspective on the drug slang and gang bang life that she see's too many men get into. It's actually a pretty good cut...the slow, funk tinged track gets thumbs up from me...and I think Nonchalant is trying to bring up a topic that runs counter to all this "realness" that's oversaturating hip hop. (MCA)

No, it's not a Prince remake...instead, it's another tight underground cut (on the same 12" as the Messiah cut). I'm totally open on the production...it's hard to describe...jazzy elements without being jazzy per se...just pretty damn nice is the best way I can describe it. Lyrically, the Rubberbandz snap back and forth...lending energy to the more subtle production though the rhyme style/content wasn't that remarkable. Still, a strong cut, no doubt. (MESSENGER)

The best cut off of the Ill Kid sampler 12" (which has that Big Shug and GURU/M.O.P. cuts on it too). The beat is flavored by several layers of sound: bassline, well-placed guitar strums, and brief string hums...I even liked the female vocals on the chorus. Lyrically, True Master doesn't really stand above a lot of other NYC rhymers, but it's not bad at all. (PAYDAY)

A decent 12" on the same label as the Mad Scientist who put out a decent 12" himself over the summer. He remixes this particular song and kind of gives it a Wu-Tangish feel to it, as do the lyrics. It's ok...but I don't expect it to blow up the undergro und. (ROACH MUSIC)

A party song no doubt and not a very good one at that. Jamal fades 'em all, but Mr. Malik needs to get going with this Dallas Austin project sh*t. (ROWDY)

What? "Too Hot" sampled AGAIN? At least Coolio picks a good topic: safe sex. I'm not big on this 12" but it's not bad. The B-side is catching wreck in the Bay b/c of the E40 cameo, but I'm not really tripping off that either. (TOMMY BOY)

Look...I like Monica. Straight up. I like these remixes too though they're not hella different...and what is Pete Rock doing on here? Really doe... Nonetheless, I liked this 12" a lot...I just like her singing...plus the "Like This and Like That" remi x features Mobb Deep on the cameo. (ROWDY)

The Refugee Camp remix is tight...a very different vibe overall, but I liked it... L Boogie rips sh*t up too...unfortunately she doesn't enough time on there, IMO. The B-side has other remixes that are bound to please people looking for other type butte rs like dancehall and what not. (RUFF HOUSE)

Great, great beat...very vibe-y...both sides. Lyrically, this Toronto group represents ok...not stunning, but not wack by any stretch of the imagination. Most of all though, I just like this Grass Roots music sound...strong production. (BLACK EMPLOYED)

This is the B-side to "Uknowhowwedu" and is produced by Primo... The track itself is standard Premier...sounds good, but it also sounds like he took the beat from "The ? Remains" and slows it down a bit. Nonetheless, it's interesting to see a woman rip on other women for the bi*ches and h*es mentality that some perpetrate. (CHRYSALIS)

This is from the Erick Sermon compilation "Insomnia" LP. I dunno...I like Redman, but Sermon's production on this particular cut was just boring too me. I was kind of surprised given that I liked his 12" and album. What I was much more open on was the B-side by The Wixtons. "Up Jump the Boogie" has got a bouncey little groove and decent lyrics by the contributing members of the Wixtons. (INTERSCOPE)

I actually like this cut a lot...the track has a nice sinister feel to it...served through an ill piano loop. Lyrically, it starts off ok, but I think they drag out the concept a bit too far. I love the Left Coast as much as anyone, but after a while, i t gets kind of tired. Plus Cube drops a line, "Hip hop started in the West" which is just too much...c'mon now...let's be real about it. The remix is definitely some West coast bump sh*t and while it's got the bounce, I'd rather have the original track. (PRIORITY)

A party cut...a cool one at that...but don't expect more. (TOMMY BOY)

The Beatminerz DJ Evil Dee rarely disappoints me, but I really thought this particular remix lacked inspiration. He loops the same guitar that ATCQ used on "Lyrics to Go" and has kind of generic vibe quality to it. It's not bad, but it's not that great either. Go with the Daytime mix though... (WEEDED)

Fantastic 12"...two very strong remixes in my opinion. The Wreckonize remix uses Grover Washington Jr.'s "Just the Two of Us" and pulls it off...totally. The Sound Boy Burriel remix flips on the En Vogue, "Hold On" beat which I like a whole lot better than the boring ass original. Solid 12", no diggety. (WRECK)

A surprisingly solid 12". The Sewa/41st Remix with Mobb Deep has a got a nice funk bump. All four lyricists represent well and this should do well back East, I'm sure. However, I really liked the "Dome Cracker" remix...reminded me a lot of Funkdoobiest 's "Rock On." Very vibe-y and a totally different remix from the A-side instead of a half-hearted reshaping. (EAST WEST)

Another good 12"...both mixes of Hip 2 Da Game are strong but Buckwild's remix goes deeper into the vibe. The B-side had already been blowing up with the pairing of the Funky Technician with the Blastmaster but the remix adds on OC to make for a triple threat. The funny thing is...I don't much care for the beats on either mix, but lyrically, there's a lot to like. (PENALTY)

Most people will probably pick this up to check out the return of X Clan's Brother J back on the mic. In fact, the Ultra Jazz mix is awfully reminiscent of one of XClans's beats... I kind of prefer the album version with its acoustic bass line that rumbles throughout the room. Brother J delivers decently, but this 12" probably won't blow up... (ISLAND)

On the good side...it's better than the weak "Throw Your Set In the Air"...but even then...I just didn't feel Muggs' beat...and B Real wasn't blowing off heads either with his lines, IMO. Let's hope a remix is on the way. (RUFF HOUSE)

Let's make this short and sweet. Pick it up for the B-side. Otherwise, don't bother... Move Ya Body is such a wack departure from the dopeness of Nod Factor...and that song's remix is so unnecessary I'm wondering what people were smoking when the decided to do it. (BIG BEAT)