Head Of State
Cali Agents
Must be the return of the "return of the duo" era. In this sophomore re-surfacing are Bay Area's Rasco and Planet Asia (r'member when he and Mystic were nominated for a "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" Grammy for "W" back in '02?). With Vinroc and Architect handling some of the production it's expected that mixshow spins are evident. It's too bad that only "Sharp" and "RawRap" have that airplay chance-the skills show brighter on stage. -PocketsLinted.com
The College Dropout
Kanye West
I like the way that mainstream hip hop can make me feel like I can dance like a video honey. Forget about those releases of "Through the Wire" and "Slow Jamz," there's a reason why this next generation Rocafella stayed on top of the charts. Tip: Remove the eight skits and the 12-minute "how-Kanye-got-rocafella'd" cut and re-burn for a perfect listen-through. BTW, if you missed his College Tour you may have missed one of the best shows around. -Rocafella.com
The Soul Of John Black
This Los Angeles based duo melds blues, rock, hip hop and acoustic guitar into their brand of new soul. Ex-Fishbone guitarist John Bingham and Bassist Chris Thomas provides an immediate, energized, feel-it-in-yer-bones sensation that's usually felt at a live show. -TheSoulofJohnBlack.com
Nublu Sessions
Wax Poetic
Before Norah Jones got her Grammy (then a 19-year old), she hooked up with and did a couple cuts for her first group, the trip hop/jazz collective Wax Poetic-so did N'Dea Davenport (Brand New Heavies), U-Roy and Saul Williams. Ms. Jones' two cuts ("Tell Me" and "Angels") are just the bonus to the other 10 lounge-like cuts on this buttery audio excursion. -UltraRecords.com
Good 2 Go
Elephant Man
Pon Di River! Pon De Bank! Cock Up Your Bumper! Bun Fi Bun! Head Gone Wine Up Uh Self! Bun Down Stop Hitch! Yet another artist I can't understand-even if I read direct from the lyrics sheet-but hot damn, Elephant Man, his crazy look, and his infectious hooks makes dancehall just so friggin' cool. G'wan now signal de plane. -VpRecords.coma
Journey Into The Day
Seek
The cross between the Brand New Heavies and Sade lands you in the realm of Seek. Their smooth dance beats mixed with sultry vocals sound so good that they actually make it easier to order up a glass of wine, sit back and chat intelligently like a grown up. -Seekmusic.net
Lil Scrappy & Trillville
WHAAAT?! When you can announce your presence a half-mile away through the kick of an 808, who really gives a fuck what Scrappy and Trillville are talking 'bout? Just know when to repeat the hook. OhhhKAYYY! -LilScrappy.com; Trillville.com
Music By Cavelight
Blockhead
Who got my Kid Koala mixed with my DJ Shadow? Blockhead does Ninjatune style of eclectic, hip hop-influenced instrumentals. His is the subtle and sexy musical gibberish you'll play as an aural backdrop on long nights of e-related sex. Ay Papi! -Ninjatune.com
Fatlace Vol. 3
DJ XL
It's time to let the cat out the bag. I've wooed many a lady into submitting to my every whim by simply playing this CD on the way back from the club. DJ XL's 17-cut selection does Fatlace right. The perfect balance of mixing and scratching of music by Les Nubians, D'Angelo, Janet Jackson, Jonell, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Maxwell, Mary J., Sade, Dwele, and others help make this smoothed-out, down-tempo aural love kit get you to third base. With this CD there's no need to steal home; you'll get the OK to slide right on in. -Fatlace.com
Economic Food Chain Music
Lmno
Laced behind production from KeyKool, DJ Rhomes, and OHNO, LMNO's distinct sharp delivery and interesting takes on topics, ranging from his faith in God, economic commentary and Long Beach history to the de facto braggadocio, is nothing short of uplifting. Catch the microphone partnerships of SoCal stars 2Mex, KeyKool, and Wildchild among others. -UpAbove.com