Groove Yard 4/15/98 originally written April 15, 1998 - "breaking it down like this"

Ratings again? I keep flip flopping on this one, but especially when I have sixty singles to get through, it helps to separate the fat away from the wack and moreover, I've noticed, in converation with other writers, we tend to whip out a best-of-of-10 scale so we all know what page we're all on. Of course, number ratings is how you start to piss folks off, with fools asking, "How come you gave MC so-and-so a six and you gave MC ya-mamma a seven?" Well, we'll see how long this latest ratings game last...for now, here ya go. All numbers are out of a total of 10. A'ight?


All City: The Actual/Priceless (Geffen)

Niiiiiice...All City hasn't exactly been making power moves on Geffen (but what else is new?) but it looks like someone decided to bless 'em with some ciz-nash and hire Primo and Pete Rock to do the two sides. Result? Solid jams...Primo is in his element on the raucous A-side...some of that NY street flav that heads drool for. Lyrically...sh*t's a'ight...the flow's a little overdone, but whateva. Flipside is even better...Pete Rock comes up with a simple but tasty beat of guitar licks getting traded off against one another...pure sonic ambrosia. And lyrically, All City takes control of the beat better, working their verbals from beginning, hook, to end. Eight.


All Natural: Phantoms of the Opera/Thinking Cap/3-Disms (All Natural)

Disappointing follow-up to one of the best songs I heard last year, "50 Years". All Natural gets alittle harder, but doesn't really distingiush itself from all the other ruff n' rugged MCs playing the same cards. Only "Thinking Cap" held my attention (produced by No ID), but even there, the lyrical alchemy just lacked chemistry to me. Five.


AZ: What's the Deal/Tradin' Places (Noo Trybe) Ê

Like so many of his Queens compatriots (Nas, Royal Flush and Mic G come to mind immediately), AZ has mad mic talent, but so often wastes it chasing for the ghetto gold on sugar hill. This new 12" is better than his last, "Hey AZ" and it suggests why AZ made any noise to begin with when he paired up with Nas to make "Life's a Bitch." "What's the Deal" is average, but "Tradin' Places" comes a little bit a-blazin' especially with the ill little beat. It's not phenomenal, but it might buy AZ some love on the mixshows. Six.


Big Kwam: Execution Expert/Verbalize/Timeless Pieces (Creative Entertainment)

Is it me or does Kwam sound like Big Pun's flow crossed with Kool G's voice? Even so, I think he gets kind of slept on, especially b/c his singles are far better than the NYC-average. On this one, only "Execution Expert" is coming super-tight, but it's enough to hold the single up despite two weaker efforts. A hot track (kind of like Rakim's "Guess Who's Back") should help this one make the NYC-mixshow circuit. Six.


Black Star (Kweli and Mos Def): Definition (Rawkus)

The long awaited pairing of Mos Def and Kweli (collectively known as Black Star) starts off with a band over DJ Hi TechÕs rockinÕ reggae-fied beat. Too bad this oneÕs only on promo (no sample clearance). Nonetheless, expect it to burn its way across mixshows and mixtapes in a couple of weeks. For the normal buying crowd, get ready for ÒRedefinitionÓ which will set if off for the masses. Eight.


Blackalicious: Touch the Stars (from "Connected") (3-2-1)

This is featured on Channel LiveÕs ÒRedrumÓ 12Ó and itÕs the only Blackalicious song youÕre going to hear for a couple of months so dig it up, put it on and get ready to rock. Chief XL cooks a funkalicious little beat that bumps along and Gift of Gab is in his rapid-fire, esoteric element. ItÕs a decent Blackalicious effort, though not necessarily as amazing of an aural experience as their ÒMelodicaÓ works. Seven.


Blackmel: Vibin Along b/w Luca Bras: Steelo (Lo Key)

The B-side is forgettable, but the A-side resurrects a dope little Bob James beat. It's not the deepest sh*t out there, but it reminds me of that happy-hip hop that folks used to make before the NWO depressed the fu*k out of the game. Seven.


Boulevard Connection: Sut Min Pik EP (Fondle 'Em)

Fondle' Em acquires a Danish hook-up (and we ain't talking about magic brownies either). Boulevard Connection is straight out of the Denmark and as rumor goes, they hit off Bobbito with a demo tape dope enough to convince Bobby Luv-Bug to give 'em their own EP on Fondle 'Em. The end result is ok, but I wasn't tripping too hard. The best track is the first, featuring Artifacts and this kid DJ Kaos over a very nice jazzy beat...the song's called "Haagen-Daz" (*laugh*). There's a Co Flow Freestyle called "Jonny Rookie Card" which is so-so and a MC Serch/Bobbito track called "No Doubt"...also kind of lukewarm. There's an all Danish track with this kid Promoe...but again, it's just ok. Six.


Busta Rhymes: Fire It Up/Rhymes Galore (Elektra)

Nostalgia points for using the Knight Rider theme. The question is...who does it better? Busta? Or Timbaland/Magoo? I give it up to Busta since he's actually got some mic skills. Say "Fire It Up!" Party jam. Six.


Canibus: Second Round K.O. (Universal)

Unless you've been comatose, you know that LL Cool J and Canibus are going full blown in their dissing war, but how come no one's got the cajones to call fools out by name? Even so, Canibus vicious retort to LL's "4,3,2,1" should have hooded heads covering their mouth and saying, "awwww....sh*t!" But yo, what the f--- is Mike Tyson doing on the hook? And plus, Wyclef comes with the snooze button on with his bland beat. Thank god the lyrics make up the difference. The flipside has Canibus wholly underrated "How We Roll", the multi-tempo track that's frustrating DJs and delighting the cipher set. Seven.


Channel Live: Live 4 Hip Hop/Six Cents (Beyond Real)

Channel Live on Beyond Real? Anyone want to take a guess that someone got kicked off their major label deal? All that being said, "Live 4 Hip Hop" is kind of blazin (despite the cliche title). Channel Live's liability has mostly been that they aren't really multi-dimensional. Remember their flow on "Mad Izm"? Well, that's them at best - screaming on ya with some pure hypeness. It doens't make for good albums, but they can flex a single when they need to. Domingo rocks well on the production tip and the hook gets you going too. The flip comes kind of ill too...very good hook (hey, believe me, it matters)...kinetic rhymes just bounce from wall to wall. Much to my surprise...this is a good 12". Peep for it. Seven.


Company Flow: N-to-N BurnerGimp W/ Weapon Stalks Prey/Krazy Kings Too/Blackout/Workers Needed (Rawkus)

As if Co Flow wasn't busy enough with that new Indelibles' sh*t, they're dropping their own single too. "N-to-N Burner" is a decent Co Flow song, but word...sometimes, their gritty/grimy formula gets bogged down in being just a tad repetitive. When it works (like on the ultra-hot "Weight") it works well. On this cut, I found myself thinking that I'd spin it once or twice but it's not staying with me. However, the video is more jam packed than the A train at rush hour (see it and you'll get the pun) especially when the three are captured in slo-mo, looking baaaaaaad ass on the station floor. "Gimp W/ Weapon" is some ill instrumental sh*t - boom bapping with the bass kicks. "Krazy Kings Too" is a sequel to their oft-favorite "Krazy Kings"...nice joint...understated but deadly all the same. "Blackout" is the DJ joint...on point like a stylus. Last but not least..."Workers Needed" is hilarious...it's an open call for MCs for Co Flow to work with...they drop a beat, give you an address and let us know: hey, show us yours skills-nills. Can you step up? Seven.


Consequence: Rock N Roll/Queens Get the Money/The Riot (white)

Supposedly, Consequence has parted ways with the Ummah camp, but that didn't stop them from dropping one more white label by the Con man. On this one, "Rock N Roll" is the standout...JD's playful-piano track gets Consequence rhyming all over this one with his patented Linden Blvd. nasal flow. "The Riot" ain't bad either with Busta doing a some what annoying came on the hook, but otherwise, it's kind of tasty. Like his B-side to Tip's "It's Yours", this one won't last either so find it where ya may. Seven.


Diamond D: With the Dope Sound b/w Fantastic 4: You're In the Wrong Place (Dusty Fingers)

Much blander than youÕd think (or hope for). DiamondÕs cut was supposedly left off of ÒStunts, Blunts and Hip HopÓ but it sounds a lot closer to his sh*t on his last album. ItÕs about average...45 KingÕs beat isnÕt much to get excited at though DiamondÕs rhymes are fairly on point. The flip doesnÕt get much hotter with the Fantastic Four (John Dough, Big Red, K. Terroribal and Ras Kass) kicking a ho-hum posse collaboration Five.


Dilated Peoples: Work the Angles/The Main Event/Triple Optics (ABB)

Hotter than the Sahara sun, this new single simply kicks ass. Not very eloquent, but when you hear "Work the Angles" kick in with Dj Revolution's cuts and the beat, you'll brain will go into meltdown too. Sick, sick, sick. And sh*t...if that wasn't enough, Dilated smacks you up with "The Main Event" which is on some smoothed-out sinister sh*t. Finishing it off is the bomb, "Triple Optics" just peep out the hook: "Put out one of my eyes and I still have two, put out the other one and I can still see you." Unfu*kwittable. Nine.


DJ Krush: Selections from Milight (Mo Wax)

Thanks need to go out to the Mo Wax folks for putting this one out. They collect the hip hop artist collaborations from Krush's "Milight" album and stick 'em on a single piece o' promo wax. The highlight, by far, is the Mos Def joint, "Shinjiro" which is a butter blend of the Japanese DJ's sense of sonics and Mos Def's lyrical personality. The Shawn J. collaboration features no vocals, but it's kind of quirky how the two bounce off one another. No big deal goes to "Real", the blandiose Tragedy cut and Finsta Bundy turn in an average performance on "Supanova" which sparks it up a bit, but can't really keep it lit. Six.


Fat Cat Kareem: Mr. Megaton (Casino/Phase 4)

This is a new artist on the label formally called Payday (now known as Phase 4). It's a rather generic, though decent, NY hardcore type MC. You've heard the style a thousand times before, but thanks to Charlamagne's hot track, I think you can be convicned to listen for a thousand and one times. Six.


Hieroglyphics: The Last One/Oakland Blackouts (Hiero Imperium)

A rather unusual choice given that "The Last One", to me, is far from being one of the better songs on the album. I never really felt the original mix...too much like the Souls' second album, but the remix by A+ grooves it out better. However, "Oakland Blackouts" is good sh*t, playful and infectous. A decent Hiero single, but they can do better. Six.


Hobo Junction: Nite & Day/Out of the Woodworks (South Paw)

Now that the Whoridas have saturated the market, it's time for their Hobo cousins to step back to the scene. "Nite & Day" has a hilarious beat and hook on the chorus (is that Saafir I hear?) but the song is all seriousness - mic dominanation and MC destruction are the agenda. The B-side starts with a slow, plodding drum track and in drops a female MC who goes uncredited. Fly sh*t especially with Saafir following her up. Not that hypest of beats, but it keep the lyrical heads well fed. Six.


Indelible MCs: Weight/Mucho Stereo (Official)

Hold ya heads suckas...the Indelibles are back to f--- that dome up. "Weight" is just too ill for words...El P outdoes himself with the sick-as-sh*t beats on "Weight" (also on the "Lyricist Lounge" album). Lyrically, you know their steezes...some can't go with it, but for the most part, this is about a sonic experience. Can you take the weight? I wasn't feeling the B-side so much...a tad slower and just not as interesting, either lyrically or musically. Seven.


Jay Z: The City Is Mine/One In a Million remix (Roc-A-Fella)

The a-side is trash, but the B-side is one of the best songs off the album. Primo still keeps it fresh as f---, keeping "part 1" the same just longer (with a new set of verses), but remixing the "part 2" format with Jay Z dropping some new vocals over some sinister beat sh*t. Personally, I liked the LP version better, but fans of Jay Z's fatalistic steez will be feeling this one. Seven.


K-Otix: Do You Wanna Be an MC?/7 MCs Part II (K-Otix)

The more I hear from these guys, the more I like K-Otix. Their production enraptures me in their warm jazzy tones...it's not always sample-driven yet each beat feels distinct. Lyrically, I think the pair still have to iron out a few more kinks in their flows, but for the most part, it's good stuff, especially on "7 MCs Part II" which features our Houston-based dynamic duo sonning another set of wack MCs. This single also features scratching from Philly's Cash Money. Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up. Nine.


KMD: Black Bastards Ruffs & Rares (Fondle 'Em)

At f*cking last...someone resurrects one of hip hop's travesties - bringing back the lost KMD second LP. Think you're ahead of the game 'cause you picked up the import white label? Think again: none of these tracks were on that bootleg (different mixes in most cases). And the new sh*t on it is solid. You never realize how good KMD was until you really listen to the sh*t from "Black Bastards". What a loss...and what a gain that Fondle 'Em is bringing back the album. I'm loving "Sweet Premium Wine" if only b/c it flexes the same Five Stairsteps beat that Pos K and Brand Nubian made famous. But don't sleep on a blazing mix of "Contact Blitz" or the hyperactive "Popcorn." Basically...lemme put it like this: if you pass up on this, you'll be passing on one of the best hip hop you've never heard. TEN.


Krispy: Bad 2 Worse/Kick Up Dust (Bomb Basic)

This UK crew has been heralded as THE UK group to break through to US hip hop heads. Well...I wouldn't roll out the trophies yet, but even if it doesn't quite live up to its hype, that doesn't mean it isn't fat anyway. A-side mixes (two of 'em) are decent, but I never could get into their lyrics. However, on the B, I could feel that Euro-flow getting loose and wicked over a pair of fat mixes (go with the remix if you have to choose one though). Seven.


Laster: Searchin' 4 Meaning/Bare Witness/Off Balance rx (Dark)

Coming back outta Beantown, Laster follows up last year's "Off Balance" with a decent sophomore effort. It's nothing outstanding, but I thought the A-side came smooth both musically and intellectually. "Bare Witness" tries to come harder to mixed results...it sounds more generic than anything else. The "Off Balance rx" gets symphonic with some ill strings but drops Ed OG...it's basically just a new song with the same hook. Six.


Mad Skillz: Lick the Balls/The Conceited Bastard (E.C.)

F*** the bullsh*t and give my man DJ Spinbad some credit. Half a year ago, he took Mad Skillz' "Nod Factor" acapella and put it over the beat from Slick Rick's "Lick the Balls" and made that sh*t sound sweeeet. And now...Mad Skillz remakes the joint with the same beat? Coincidence? You decide. The flip side is even hotter though...some ill-as-sh*t beats set it off lovely and Skillz is...well...Mad Skillz. You know the flow. You know how it go. I'll leave it at that for fans and haters alike. Seven.


Mass Influence: Space Cases/Clown Syndrome/Rhyme Placement (Elemental)

One of the better groups most of you have never heard, Mass Influence comes with yet another strong single but with practically no noise at all. Promote! The two MCs (from Atlanta) aren't trying to come mega-complicated...their intellect is made accessible and I dig their flows. "Space Cases" is some nice space-smoothed out sh*t..."Clown Syndrome" is more interesting beat-wise (check the high hats) but it's not quite as strong. "Rhyme Placement" is more serious...a little dark and perhaps too subtle for its own good, but the lyrics come vise tight. Look for this one if you can find it. Seven.


Network Reps: Collabo/Simplistic (Network Entertainment)

Better than average NY underground-mixshow jam. The A-side features Tru Persona, L Fudge and Mike Zoot over a Rich Boogie beat...it moves, but L Fudge and Mike Zoot both sound a tad awkward with their flows...I don't know...can't call it. The B-side smooths it out thanks to Shawn J and Spinna's work on the boards. The hook could use tweaking, but otherwise, it's a tight song...left alone Tru Persona comes off with some badness. Seven.


Nice and Smooth: Let It Go/Lockdown (Select)

For the most part, Nice and Smooth had their moment in the sun and they've spent too much time trying to recapture it. HOWEVER, it's not as if they still don't have anything to like. "Let It Go" is forgettable, but sneaking its way onto the B is "Lockdown" which is Nice and Smooth at its best: party rhymes over some dope ass beats. You might not see it, but once you hear it, you'll want more. Six.


Pumpkinhead: Dynamic rx/Wack Emcees (Makin)

F--- the bullsh*t, Pumpkinhead is bonafide F A T. I was liking his last 12", but this new one confirms that his sh*t is for real...f--- the Method Man comparisons...PH's steez is all his own. The "Dynamic" remix is clever...it takes the backwards loop of the original and puts it forward and feature the Makin' Records all-star line-up including What What and Ocean from Nat. Resource. However, as nice the a-side is, PH simply kills the B with another brutal blast at the fake ass, wack ass MCs in the world. OT's track is grimy and slaps that face up with its drum set and fierce drive. One of the best 12"s on the market. Nine.


Raidermen: Top Dollar/Strategy (Raidermen)

I wish I could like these kids. After all, they got Charlamagne behind them on the beats. They come with some dedication. And they even give me a shout-out on the A-side. But despite these strengths (plus a cameo bonanza on "Strategy") I still find their stuff kinda average. I think others feel 'em more than me, but I just can't get that geeked off their sh*t. Oops. Five.


Ras Kass: Understandable Smooth/The Music of Business (Patchwerk)

He's been out of the scene for a bit...and never really lived up to people's expectations, but Ras Kass rarely fails to be engaging on some level. Even on his latest single, he's bringing in the obvious sounds of Anita Baker, but the sh*t works - not unlike the R&B-ed beats on his classic first 12". His IQ seems to have dimmed a bit..."Understandable Smooth" isn't quite on that next level sh*t, but it'll work on the drive down the 10 towards Santa Monica. As you might expect, "The Music of Business" tries to rip it on that B-side level, bringing the X to the Z to help Ras clean it up. Andyou know what? They do. The song is brilliant...the type of lyricism we'd all wish Ras would do more. I mean peep: "a music contract? That's just a loan with a fuc*ed up interest rate." Eight.


Rasco: What It's All About (Stonesthrow)

Some people think Rasco is one-dimensional. Sure, he's pretty much a one man MC-wrecking machine and a whole album's worth of songs like that might not fly too far. But in the meantime, aren't you glad to have consistently solid singles to f*ck with? So quit complaining and just feel my man! If you liked his older sh*t, you'll like this too. It's another dope ass single...beats by Keith, hype factor by Rasco. Eight.


Rasheed & Ill Advised: 1.9.8.6./Redd H.o.t.t. (Quake City)

Will Ill Advised ever find a home that they're happy with? For a hot minute, they were kinda making a mark with Eastern Conf. and the High and Mighty crew, but they've dipped back to their old label, Quake City and join forces with label-mate Rasheed. "1.9.8.6." is on some old school beat tip...alarm whines and the whole nine...spell this one f.r.e.s.h. even if the lyrics don't really distinguish these cats against the current spate of NY wannabe-MCs. "Redd H.o.t.t." is decent stuff too, but left me more w.a.r.m. than its title sake. Some folks might dig the sinister sonic steelo. Six.


Red Foo & Dre Kroon: The Freshest remix (Bubonic)

Not wildly different, but more ill scratching by Revolution and some slightly altered beats. Seven.


Shadez of Brooklyn: How It's Done/Paradise/Wanted Men (Pandemonium)

After taking a long hiatus from "Changes", the Shadez of BK are back. Conceptually, they may not be much more than just another gun clap group from New York, but their talent sets them ahead of the pack. Surely, production by the Beatminerz can't hurt, but more than that, the Shadez have a feel for lyricism that combines honest perspective with convincing performance. The result? A three song 12" that's stands out among the rows of wack wax clogging your crates. F*ck keeping it real. They just keep it right.


Showbiz and AG EP (DITC)

I don't know much about this since I only had quick peep, but it should make Show and AG fans happy regardless. The first song (I have no titles) works over the piano loop last heard on Lil Kim's "Queen Bee"...AG sounds like he's been working to change his flow up a bit. Second cut brings on KRS for a Blastmaster/Show reunion but it's not as good as the sh*t on KRS' last LP. Third cut has some ill piano work ala Primo-cut-up-style...sick beat. Cut four brings KRS back but this time he comes to bash...very hard-htting beats and lyrical bashings. Sh*t swings harder than Karl Malone's elbows. Last track...simpler and more on that chill tip. A'ight, but it wasn't that memorable. And that's that...two hot jams, one pretty tight one and two that you can consider above-average filler. Damn kid...when's this one gonna drop? Eight.


Smut Peddlers: One by One/The Hole Repertoire (E.C.)

When the High and Mighty meet Cage, you know some illness is bound to emerge. "One by One" is mega-dope with the thick basslines and echoing sound effects...plus Eon and Cage sound good together, trading line for line. The B-side is more muted but likable as well...DJ Mighty Mi comes solid again on both sides. Check it out. Seven.


Spaztik MC: Phase 1 EP (Spaztik)

I don't know what's taken me so long to get to this b/c I like the EP. He's a talented find from the South Bay of the S.F. area and he's got some nice tracks on here, including, "Combination" and "Who I Be?" Beats are jazzy and for the most part tasty and as an MC, Spaztik grows on you. One of the more interesting indie finds you'll hear this year. Seven.


Steppin' Razor: Calafia (Steppin' Razor)

Hot, hot, hot. Real nice debut by this San Diego group who's MC rips it on this song. Plus DJ Rev on the cut? Sickness ensues! The track is some funkalicious tip, but it won't alienate the East Coast heads (unless they want to get pronvincial about sh*t). Look for this one to blow up. Eight.


Supherb EP (Wild West)

Back from the hip hop twilight zone, Supherb is back with a better-than-you-might-expect EP. He certain starts sh*t off right with a Chino XL duet on "All Bullsh*t Aside"...a slow cut with plenty of fast jabs in the forms of punchrhymes. It'll be a pleaser for Chino fans, I'm sure, and might surprise those who didn't think much of Supherb before. The rest of the EP is fairly decent as well...I just hope this EP gets a push by the label before he (and his EP) get faded into obscurity again. Six.


Swollen Members: S&M On the Rocks/Committed/My Advice/Left Field (Battleaxe)

A lot of tracks, but not necessarily a lot of noise. "Committed" which features Son Doobie should have just left the Funkdoobier off...ugh. "S&M On the Rocks" is just a'ight...truth be said, Mad Child has never wildly impressed me and Prevail is only just now coming into his element. "My Advice" is decent...it's produced by Evidence but nowhere near as hot as his sh*t on Dilated or Defari. The real treat though (and what justifies the purchase) is "Left Field", produced by Del, featuring Del and...Unicron (I love his sh*t, I can't lie), plus scratches by Mixmaster Mike. It's a Left Coast extravaganza! All the way from the Bay up to the Va(ncouver). Six


Ugly Duckling: Fresh Mode/Einstein's Open Mic (Special)

The beat on "Fresh Mode" is some dope old school sh*t. Lyrically, these two could pick up their game a bit, but they've got potential. The flip is an instrumental...decent for a little cutting session, but it gets redundant fast. "Fresh Mode" is all that though. Seven.


Wordsearch: Mechanical Movements/Anartica (Sceptre)

A-side is kinda hot...but it also uses those Transformer effects that Esoetic and 7L flipped a year ago. Not good to bite the next man's steelo, you know? That being said, "Mechanical Movements" still had me snapping neck bones and the like. Too bad "Anartica" put the chill on me. Six


Xzibit w/ Ras Kass and Saafir: 3 Card Molly (Loud)

Not quite as bad ass as you might think...lyrically, you'd be hard pressed to come up with a more impressive Left coast trio, but the beats were ho-hum and I didn't come away dazed. Still, the chance to hear Ras, Xzibit and Saafir all catch some mic time together is worth the price of purchase. Six


Yah Supreme: Old and Wise/You'll Never Find (Son Doo)

Not bad...the familiar pop sample on theA-side is done well (i.e. it's no Puffy type sh*t) and the MCs come with a lil' somethin' somethin'. Good mixshow filler. The B comes better though...a soulful piano loop gives you something you can feel. So feel it. Seven.


Yeshua dapo ED: Directions/The Head Bop (Raw Shack)

Now that Siah had his solo shot, his partner Yeshua dapo ED is up to bat with a new single on Raw Shack. Fans of Siah and Yeshua's year-old EP may have a hard time getting into this single at first. The loopy, jazzy beats of the EP move aside for darker material and I kind of miss the more playful feel of the earlier sh*t. "Directions" is decent- its feel is deadly serious as Yeshua gets fatal on the verbals. "The Head Bop" is funkier, but still lacks verve for me. I know that I was a little skeptical of Siah's 12" at first, but came back to appreciate the illness of "Reptition". On this one, I could be wrong, but it just seems a little too dark. Despite the mood shift, Yeshua still drops some compelling rhymes, twisting words with metaphoric agility. Now when's the reunion with Siah? Six.


The Bargain Bin aka the UnE.S.S.E.N.T.I.A.L.

Big Oh: Throw Your Hands Up/Big Oh Rocks the World (Wildfire)

Decent, but undistinguished. It'll spin for a hot second on some mixshows, but past that, I couldn't feel the potential. Four.


Big Pun: Still Not A Player (Loud)

Still funny though definitely one for the crossover charts with a softer track and Joe on the vocals. Not bad but don't feel lost without it. Five.


Cam'Ron: 357/Pull It (Untertainment)

Puffy meets Magnum P.I. At least that's how "357" sounds...how is it that Puffy's flow - once one of the most ridiculed in hip hop - now has more bite marks in it than a communal spliff? Despite the nostalgia points on "357", I actually thought "Pull It" was the better song though both sound like NY-commercial-mixshow-filler. Five.


Charli Baltimore: For the Love of Money (Untertainment)

Do we REALLY need to hear another Lil Kim knock-off using a beat that everyone and their momma's heard? In conversation with James "Mai" Tai, his comment, "Nowadays, you don't even have to rap on someone else's song to get a deal. You just have to get your name mentioned...didn't Biggie mention Charli's name somewhere?" Makes sense to me. Three.


Cormega: One Love/Testament (Def Jam)

Weirdness - last I heard, Cormega had beef with Nas b/c of how Nas abandoned him. But on "One Love", Cormega supplies a return rhyme to Nas' song of the same name yet without any disses (at least none that I could spot). That being said, neither side is particularly remarkable...your middle-of-the-road, NY-commercial-mixshow-fare. Four.


Das Efx: Set It Off/No Doubt (East West)

Das Efx is about three albums too far into their career. List this 12" as another vinyl nail in the coffin. Two.


Def Squad: Full Cooperation (Def Jam)

Erick Sermon practically flips the same beat he used on LL's "4,3,2,1". Frankly, I'd rather go back to "Rapper's Delight." Three.


Diamond Mercenaries: Diamonds Are Forever (Conception)

Another disappointment. Generic hook, mediocore beat, unimpressive rhymes. Four.


Dr. Dre and LL Cool J: Zoom (Interscope)

Whateva man. LL needs to go back to dissing Canibus, Dre's been lost ever since escaping Death Row and leave the zoom-zoom to EZ & Troop. Three.


Impact Entertainment: Classic Elements sampler (Impact)

Out of Tacoma, Washington, Impact drops an interesting mix of hip hop from the Northwest. Off this EP sampler, I only really felt Jaleel's "I Call It Like I See It". The rest was decent, but seemed undistinguished (which is all the more important if you're trying to convince the world that Tacoma has a dope hip hop community). It's not bad certainly, but will it be jumping into a neighborhood store near you? Five.


Iron Sheiks: Allumaniti/True Confessions/tape freestyles (white label)

For those who dig those MCs on that Middle Eastern tip - hey, this is your joint! For everyone else...eh...don't trip. Decent sh*t, but the concept's just a tad played, ya know? "True Confessions" is kinda hot though (but it's already been out). B-side flips that freestyle tape flavor that heads east of the Mississippi seem to like. Five.


Krondon: The Rules/Thin Minutes (Heavyweights)

Not a bad single but why does it sound like Xzibit's cousin is on the mic? All the more suspicious since this single's outta Los Scandalous. Still, for a similar-sounding MC, "The Rules" still had me bobbing my head with the smoothed out beat courtesy of Truly OdD. The flip, "Thin Minutes" only lasted thin seconds before I took it off from boredom. Five.


Naughty By Nature w/ Mag and Castro: Work (white label)

Not bad...a nice smoky, funky loop lays it down for Treach and friends to get busy on. Castro sounds like they imported him from the realtiy rap world and Mag is just a'ight but Treach burns, baby, burns as usual..he's still one of the fiercer MCs out there but he gets saddled with weak sh*t. This one won't move mountains but it'll shake a little. Five.Ê


P.A.: Like We Do (SKG)

The comparisons to Outkast and Goodie Mob are perhaps unavoidable for this new Dreamworks group but their first single isn't bad thanks to a very dope and funky guitar loop that powers the song. Fans of the Hotlanta sound that Organized Noize pioneered should be feeling this...as for the rest of the hip hop nation...eh, I leave that to you. Five.


Paris: Blast First (Unleashed)

Paris, fresh from a scandal involving him breaking into his own studio, hasn't put out a 12" in ages. He's mostly been working with folks like Conscious Daughters, but I guess the call of the mic beckoned "the Black Panther of Hip Hop" back. What's missing in the return, at least on this single, is his social conscioussness. He hasn't made the full conversion to gun packing hoodie, but this ain't "The Devil Made Me Do It" either. Beat-wise, it's got that Oakland groove thang - you know the deal. Decent single...he still has flow, but for the most part, this is just average. Five.


Pride: Something 4 Nothing/Unplanned b/w Sev Statik: Rebuild/Dystrophy (Deepspace5)

Despite the hype, I really wasn't that blown away by either side. Rhyme flows needed tightening and the beats were forgettable. Five.


Rah/Sun: What? (550 Music)

Undistinguished and generic NYC sh*t. Three.


Rascalz: Northern Touch/Solitaire (Figure IV)

On "Northern Touch", it's he Canadian all-star cut that's a bit overdue, featuring the Rascalz, Choclair, Kardinal Offishal, Thrust and Checkmate. Unfortunately, it sounds nothing like most of the music by any of these artists and instead, comes off like a New York posse cut, complete with 70s blaxploitation beats. Not horrible, but disappointingly generic and below the ability of all the featured artists. Luckily, the remix kicks the beat into overdrive and makes the song seem close to dope. Five.


Samson & Swift: Watch Your Words/Help/Somethin' For the DJs (Conception)

The A-side felt uninspired to me (both lyrically and musically), but the symphonic/jazzy stylistics on the flip caught my attention. Give Samson and Swift credit for making a good song UP until they flip some bland ass R&B bullsh*t on the hook. I know it's supposed to be ala Outkast type stuff, but I couldn't feel it. "Somethin' For the DJs" was fat enuff, but it doens't carry the 12" by any means. Five.


Street Connect: All Up In the Game/Rollin Over You
Low Lives: The Face/Off b/w Ill Rhymes (Marcion)

Forgive me, but both these singles are generic NYC underground fare. Decent cuts include the B-side to both singles, but there's nothing remotely outstanding on either. Four.