This release is so far beyond anything he's done before, it seemed to come out of nowhere. His production is multi-layered and unique. His drums seem live - no producer can match this drum work. He even stepped up his flow, making him the best rapping producer since the Rza. One song: Long Story Short

This just may be the comeback of the year. I never expected this to be so good. Beats are hot southern ish and the flows are sick. They don't need Prophet, Skinny Deville holds it down. One song: No Static.

Black Milk handles the boards on all except one track, so this cd is all about beats . . . if you ignore the fact that Elzhi's flow is ridiculous and is so fluid it sounds like he's not even trying. Not to mention his lyrics are incredible and inspire repeated listens. Some of the best concept songs I've ever heard are on this album. One song: Guessing Game

Some albums are 16 tracks of rhymin' about how hard you are, some are 16 tracks of nonsensical rhyming gibberish (Ghostface!), and some are 22 tracks of well-thought out interesting lyrics that give the listener a reason to listen to more than the beat. Masta Ace and crew put together a wonderful lyrical album. One song: Winds of Change

The Roots will never be able to reach the classic status of illadelph halflife again, but, unlike most vets, they also can't make a bad album. This has some truly high points and nice guest appearances. One song: Get Busy

I think when I bought Heavy Mental I was too young to appreciate Killah Priest. He doesn't try to catch your attention with beat selection, choruses, or a ridiculous flow; he is about straight-up lyricism - no more, no less. One song: 4 Tomorrow

I waited too long for new Technique to end up with an album like this. That's not to say it's horrible, it's just no where near the level I expected. I know it's supposed to be a mixtape so hopefully when the real album drops that will be the one worth waiting for. One song: Lick Shots

I thought I'd give these new jacks a try. This album is kinda weird and I'm not quite sure where they are comin' from or what they're supposed to be. Overall, it's good. One song: Shine Again

Speaking of sell outs. . . But this isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Believe it or not Common already sold out back when he made Be. Electric Circus was his last real album. This is at least a good listen. One song: Announcement

It still amazes me how the man who made tracks like C.R.E.A.M., Triumph, and Ice Cream can come out with music like this. One song: You Can't Stop Me Now

These guys are like a generic Little Brother. But last year I saw their potential on the track Sonshine off the Asterisk 4 album. Maybe they need outside production to liven it up cause this EP doesn't cut it. One song: Get Me Inside

There was a time - all the way back in 2007 - when I thought that Qn5 could do no wrong, then this album came out. Dude needs to stick to e-f@mm and guest spots, he can't do it solo. Kno and Tondeff beats should never again be wasted on this garbage flow. One song: Sign Language.