Keep Right/KRS-One
Not many people like to be preached to. It's like listening to the crazy guy on the corner who yells, "We're all going to go to hell in a hand basket." You'll pass right by and tune him out. But, there are some people (like preachers, teachers, your elders and cops) who can grab and keep your attention whether you like it or not. KRS-One is one of those few. The teacher can still school you. And with updates to some of his classics on Keep Right as well as introductions (and re-introductions) to his label mates, he'll show you why Knowledge Reigns Supreme. -gritrecords.com
Grit City Volume 1/Various Artists
Grit Records' co-owner KRS-One wants to bring back grimey beats and real lyricists. His ticket to the main stage is through this compilation of 16 cuts that pop camera flashes on KRS' next-gen emcees and producers. On this assemblage Supastition, Swan Notty, O.C., L da Headtoucha, Akbar and Insight join producers Soul Supreme, Mark Brown and The Cockroach Click. -gritrecords.com
The Disrupt/OHNO
Move over big brother Madlib, the young buck is at the production table, and he's got as much heat as you. Oxnard's OHNO released a string of singles. He gained notoriety by working with Medaphoar, LMNO, Aloe Blacc, Wildchild and Murs. Madlib, J.Dilla and Declaime join in the fun. Following the Stonethrow's smash album for 2004, Madvilliany, (Madlib & Mad Villian a.k.a. MF Doom), The Disrupt will give the elder a run for its money. - stonesthrow.com
Fear Of A Mixed Planet/Shock G
When Digital Underground ushered in their Bay-Area-funk sound in the early '90s, we Humpty Humped and rocked Sex Packets. Now Shock G, Humpty-Hump and company continue the feel-good ride into 2004 with the strongest album since their debut. Keyboardist and lyricist Shock is on another level with music production, lyrics and imagination. His concept behind "My Opinion" (featuring Numskull) lightens extreme thoughts; "Baby You Okay?" freaks you into double thinking that extra hit, and the rave-like aura on "Cinnamon Waves" can only be enhanced with greater flavor by that extraterrestrial Q-Bert. You can bump this in the ride with confidence, but to get the full flavor grab your headphones and spark the la. Fear of a Mixed Planet is just plain aural dopamine.-shockg.com
Sirius Mixtape: Summer Edition/DJ Eddie One
Wow! I give props to DJ Vice of Los Angeles' Power 106 FM and "The Holla Boyz" for pointing Eddie One in my direction. Eddie One helps me realize the reason why I'm fond of West Coast mixtapes: it's the creative blending and mixing style. It's not any better or worse than the East's style-it's just a different beast. This beast packs some secret punches. Every single selection will make you park your car by the side of the road, stop people and start your own party. If you like what you hear on this CD, you should pick up a Sirus radio box and tune into Eddie One's show. I hope he keeps releasing these tapes, because I'm not in on the satellite radio thing until it's free (or I drive for a living, or my cable company explodes, or Los Angeles urban radio sinks into the ocean).-djeddieone.com