You will need a neck brace for this one. Swizz has a collection of headbangers on this 12 track CD. There is only one skit and that is a legitimate intro with Snoop for the remix to It's Me Snitches with Lil Wayne, R. Kelly, and JadaKiss. Put that on repeat so you don't miss nothing. The CD has a variety of tempos with tracks sounding like a Tmberland/Missy Elliot production (Money in The Bank) while another track samples Bill Withers' Lovely Day (Take A Picture). Bust Your Gunz with Drag On is straight blazin. The last track is the video enhancement to It's Me Snitches. With more features and this would have a even higher rating. 3.5 out of 5 flames.

Shop Boyz - Rockstar Mentality

There is a song on the CD called Totally Dude. The Shop Boyz have a few nice tracks on the CD excluding the half attempt to mix rock with Dirty South hip hop. I ain't mad at them for trying but songs like Rock Star, Bowen Homes, They Like It (w/ David Banner) and one of my favorites Next To Me are straight bangers. The tracks are crisp and the rhymes are better than expected, except the crossover rock songs I was forced to listen to. 3 out of 5 flames.

R. Kelly - Double Up

Not again! R Dot took the album hit formula and whipped up another banging CD. The Champ sets it off. Double Up (w/ Snoop) is going to be remixed and played for a long time. Trying to Get a Number (w/ Neely) is okay and so is Get Dirty and Leave Your Name. We just went through the first five tracks! Freaking In Club is a mello smooth joint and the remix to I'm A Flirt (w/ T-Pain) and Same Girl (w/ Usher) will all get plenty of radio play if you don't buy the CD and program the tracks yourself. The CD can not be reviewed without talking about Real Talk. R. Kel has some anger management issues and domestic issues that he airs on this song. You got to hear it for yourself. This CD gets the max full blaze designation 5 out of 5 flames.

T-Pain - Epiphany

Some artists have a second album let down but not T-Pain. Besides staying busy in the studio with other artists as a feature performer, he has sharpened his vocal skills. Although it's the same in the club, with a stripper, trying to holler theme, T-Pain comes off better this go around. Now he has Ne-Yo (Buy You A Drink) and Akon (Bartender) collaborating on his tracks, T-Pain's stock is rising. It is worth the price of the CD. 
3 out of 5 flames.

Joe - Ain't Nothin Like Me

No need to make a smooth baby making CD compilation, just buy Joe's Ain't Nothing Like Me. He has some mello smooth and straight turn out the lights tracks (If I Were Your Man) and some with a little thug edge (Where You At f/ Papoose). In an interview with Greta Cabera, Joe says, "I'm real mellow, real low-key. I'd rather have a good time in life." He comes off like that on this album. 4.5 out of 5 flames.

Timbaland - Timbaland Presents Shock Value

This is one of the most unique album since Diddy dropped his album. On creativity it gets a 5 (out of 5). On its commercial value it gets another 5. With 50 Cent, Missy Elliot, Elton John, Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado you can't lose. However, I could never see myself rockin' this CD. I'm not into the music genre roller coaster ride, unless I'm programming the songs I want to hear in my iPod. The flip side is if you like a lot of variety on your CDs, Timbaland is your man. 4 out of 5 flames.

Marques Houston - Veteran

Everybody knows Marques can flat out sing. However, this album takes him to another level of greatness. Always & Forever is a soon to be smash hit, along with Wonderful. The only criticism is that it's too smooth for the brothers. It needs 1 or 2 more club bangers. Ladies will love it, it's great in the "mood music." 4 out of 5 flames.


Vesta - Distant Lover

Another "blast from the past is back!" Vesta has recorded one of the best cover albums in years. With tracks from Bill Withers, Babyface, Smokey Robinson, Sade and others Vesta handles this challenge with ease and grace. All ten tracks are exceptional. Grown folks will want to have this one in their collection. Vesta's still got it! 4 out of 5 flames.


Baby Boy Da Prince - Across The Water

I wasn't all that impressed. I could see putting Rollin to Det in my iPod to bump in the ride. And, They Don't Know has that radio friendly sound that might get some attention on the airwaves but that's it. 2.5 out of 5 flames.



Young Buck - Buck The World

Cashville's finest comes back with one for the ride and one to go crazy with on my iPod. You'll find 17 solid tracks on this project. This joint is raw, grimy and definitely gangsta from start to finish. It features 8Ball & MJG, Snoop Dogg, Young Jeezy, T.I and more. Check out I Ain't F****** Wit U, Buck The World and Pocket Full of Paper. 3.5 out of 5 flames.

Rich Boy - Rich Boy

Between Georgia and Mississippi sits Mobile, Alabama, the home of rising hip hop artist Rich Boy. His debut self-titled album gives all new dirty south fans a taste of da bottom. With the smash hit Throw Some D's ripping through the radio waves of every city. This artist has paved his path to success with Outkast, David Banner and Pastor Troy blessing the album with a bit of their southern hospitality while newcomers Polow Da Don and Attitude make a name for themselves. Songs like Good Things, And I Love You, Lost Girls and On the Regular are guaranteed to push this album past platinum. Dirty South you know what it is. 3.5 out of 5 flames.

Lloyd - Street Love

Surprisingly, I am really feeling this CD. It reminds of Marques Houston's last CD. Everyone was sleeping on it, but this is a nice chill album with some occasional upbeat joints. Of course Get it Shawty is an ATL lover and You is the chart topper that put Lloyd in the big leagues. His tracks have good basic beats that enhance his lyrics. Toward the end of the CD it gets a little slow, like it's winding down. But from what? He has about two upbeat song throughout the fourteen track CD. I feel in love with the tracks "Certified" and "Valentine" they're nice tunes with catchy hooks. And on Certified you get a taste of Lloyd's rapping skills. The album has a amateur sound but many of the songs sounds way to similar to each other. Not a bad album from. It's definitely a long way from N-Toons. 3.5 out of 5 flames.

Deniece Williams - Love, Niecey Style

Multi-Grammy Award winner, Deniece Williams, records her first album in over a decade. It's a collection of classic r&b covers. Although her range isn't what it used to be in the 70's, the album is well produced, fun and entertaining. It's highlighted by her rendition of Donny Hathaway's We'll All Be Free and Luther Vandross' Never Too Much. 2.5 out of 5 flames.


Twisted Black - Street Fame

Can an artist from Fort Wayne, Texas make it to the top of the rap game. That is the question. If the answer lies with the tracks of the album, it doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon. The beats and the flow is nice but I didn't hear anything in the lyrics and overall style that separates him from the pack. 1.5 out of 5 flames.

Bar-Kays - House Party

The fact that the band is still together (since 1966) is amazing. Having what it takes to produce a new album with a touch of the new "flava" is equally impressive. The first track and single Sho-Nuff is a true club banger for the grown and sexy. However, the rest of the album doesn't measure up to the opener with a couple of exceptions. What Goes-N-Da-Club Stays In-Da-Club is nice and it has the possibility of starting a new genre called Funk N Crunk. And, Glad You're My Lady has the potential to be a Bar-Kays classic. 3 out of 5 flames.

Incognito - Bees+Things+Flowers

After the first few notes of the first track (Everybody Loves The Sunshine) I felt like this album was going to be a real treat. I was wrong. It wasn't until the last track (That's The Way of the World) that my interest grew but it was obviously too late. 2 out of 5 flames.

Akon - Konvicted

Akon's "KONVICTED" delivers with a heavy hitting 19 song package with no limit on the A-List collaborations!  The album features Rick Ross, Beenie Man, T-Pain, Eminem, Styles P, Fat Joe, Snoop Dogg, Papoose, Tru-Life, and more. Selected joints include "Gansta Bop" for the riders, "Smack That" has got the clubs on lock and for the "Ballas" there's "I Wanna Love You." And there's so much more. Akon is workin' the trap with this one! 4 out of 5 flames.



Justin Timberlake - FUTURESEX / LOVESOUNDS

Much respect to Justin and Timbaland (the album producer). I put the CD in my iPod and it was automatically categorized as an "R&B" album. And, to my suprise, it is! It's also a really good one. The title track and "Sexy Ladies" are guaranteed club bangers. "Chop Me Up" has a dirty south feel that works well. The ballads like "(Another Song) All Over Again," and "Until The End Of Time" are timeless. There are many guest appearances but this joint is all about Justin and Timbaland. It's been a long time since an album received a perfect score. This one was close. 4.75 out of 5 flames.

Beyonce - B'day

All the tracks are hot and no fillers. I am feeling Kitty Kat (smooth out) and Irreplaceable is a seriously hot pop joint. Of course Jay Z is on Deja Vu and also on Upgrade U. None of the tracks need to be remixed to be hot. The whole joint is nice. 4 out of 5 flames.

Stomp The Yard Soundtrack

This is a new movie coming to the big screen, starring Meagan Good, Chris Brown and Ne-Yo. The soundtrack freatures many songs you've heard before from top r&b and hip hop artists and a couple of hip hop meets rock star tracks. I like the joint "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That." It's a funk/rock tune from Robert Randolph & The Family Band. The Public Enemy joint "Supermixx's Black In The Building" is nice. The overal theme of this soundtrack is to mix a lot of different genres of music and see what you get. In that regards they definitely succeeded. In stores on January 9th. 2.5 out of 5 Flames.

The Game - Doctor's Advocate

The Game's back and harder than ever. His first album, The Documentary, was ground breaking so you know the second LP had to be straight hardcore Cali rap. The lead single "One Blood" is making headlines nationwide. The Game's picking up Compton from where N.W.A. left off. With a list of guest apperances including Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Xzibit, Nate Dogg, Kanye West and many others. The Game calls all of them out on "Wouldn't Get Far" while keeping it LA with "California Vacation". Westside stand up. You in there!  5 out of 5 flames.

Birdman & Lil Wayne - Like Father, Like Son

Just go cop this. It has the hypest tracks and hooks to latch on to. Lil Wayne can straight up rap and will make you hit rewind a few times just to be sure you heard him right. Talking about the rap game, dope, money, and woman with his own style. A lot of skits on the 20 track album but more substance than the average CD. I am feeling "Over Here Hustlin," "Like Father, Like Son," and "Stuntin Like My Daddy." 5 out of 5 flames.

Monica - The Makings Of Me

Most times when artist stretch out they do so at the risk of not comnig off. Not Monica...she sounds a little thug on some and smooth on others. Everytime Tha Beat Drop, Raw, Hell No (featuring Twista) are all headbanger. Go cop this joint... 4 out of 5 flames.

Styles P - Time Is Money

I really wasn't expecting a whole lot when I popped in the Styles P CD. But to my suprise, it's pretty decent. How can you go wrong with Talib Kweli on a joint, the late Gerald Levert and Akon singing your hooks on a couple of songs, and collabs with Jagged Edge, Sizzla, the LOX, Swizz Beats and Marsha from Floetry. You get the conscious, the thugged out, the message to my people, the flossin, the painful and dance lyrics all in one CD. Big ups to Styles for puttin' it down with "How We Live" and "I'm Black."  3 out of 5 flames.

JoJo - The High Road

A lot of these young female artist lose their identity trying to sound familiar (or like Beyonne). Even though I like the CD, it seems very cookie cutter familiar. I liked "The Way You Do Me" and " The High Road". I also like the Destiny's Child sounding "Let It Rain" and "Like That." Not a bad project. 2.5 out of 5 flames.

LeToya - LeToya

This is one of the best albums of the year. Every song has the potential to be a hit. And that's rare! Her vocals are flawless. The tracks, a combination of r&b with a hip hop bounce, are awesome. There's a feeling of ol skool meets new skool with some of the tracks and LeToya works them to perfection. Her collaborations with Bun B, Slim Thug, Mike Jones and others give the album an edge. However, the smoothed out ballads and dance floor joints make for a very thought out and well rounded project. This is a must-have CD. 
4.5 out of 5 flames.

Too Short - Blow The Whistle

You got to be a big Too Short fan to like this. A couple of nice tracks (Blow The Whistle, Pimpin Forever, Playa). Even feature artists like Rick Ross, Snoop, David banner, Bun B, and Jazze Pha can't salvage this. Blow The Whistle came up Real Short. 
1 out of 5 flames.

Kelis - Kelis Was Here

Bossy is hot but buyer beware. The rest of the album is lacking. Kelis is trying to sing on tracks with an old Prince/Apollonia sound. I did like the track Weekend with Will.I.Am but I am not feeling her R&B side. If you buy it, remember I told you so. 
1 out of 5 flames.

Webstar - Webstar Presents: Caught in the Web

The First track (Just Came To Dance) is a head banger. Young B don't have to rap on it at all. Chicken Noodle Soup is a hot track too but Voice of Harlem sounds like my 10 year old niece. I got Fresh on repeat now. Tone Wop and Get Higher got phat tracks too. The production and tracks are as get as it gets without remixes. Some of the rappin brings it down. 3 out of 5 stars.

OutKast - Idlewild

A lot of interludes and movie promoting is not the only thing that makes this CD sub-par. There is not enough variety…this is not a typical rap album. Then again OutKast is not your typical rappers. Sleepy brown, Snoop, Macy Gray, Lil Wayne and Killer Mike features don't improve the flames. I hope I like the movie better. 2 out of 5 stars.

Silk - Always And Forever

I am not a big fan of re-makes especially when the artist tries to sound like the original and falls short. Silk just does old songs with their twist. I am feelin' Nite And Day and Sideshow. The only way you would like it more if you did not hear the original. They have a live band feel on Lady In My Life (tempo a little faster than I prefer) and Secret Gardens which gives each member a verse and do his thing. In stores October 17th. 3.5 flames out of 5.

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