As digital downloading is on the rise and album sales continue to fall, Traffic Entertainment continues bringing listeners real value with the next release in their series of Cold Chillin' Records reissues, with Masta Ace's 1990 debut Take A Look Around. As they have done with the previous albums in this series, the remastered album comes with a bonus disc of b-sides, remixes and instrumentals, along with a booklet of previously unseen artwork/photos and stats. As former Cold Chillin' A&R Fly Ty says in the accompanying booklet, Masta Ace was a different... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

Fresh beats, raw melodies and a mixed bag of artists are the ingredients for creating a stellar album in the case of one of the greats of Australian hip-hop, DJ Bonez. Originally hailing from Sydney but now residing in Melbourne, Bonez has pioneered the art of the DJ in Australia for 16 years, possessing a range of unwavering talents in both production and turntablism. This is evident from the sound of the first track, where DJ Bonez's scratching ability is showcased in the most extravagant motion and throughout the album with tracks such as No.1, Sideways and I'm Leaving. A heavy dark beat surrounds the title track... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

Only a year following the critically acclaimed Last Stand LP, Brooklyn's most consistent grinders deliver another potent slab of that New York raw with Casualties Of War, the fourth Boot Camp Clik group project. The BCC come out all guns blazing on the opening track The Hustle, where Buckshot and co flex their veteran status and their independent hustling credentials over a rousing string sample. Much like their previous release, North Carolina's production wizard 9th Wonder provides the album's... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

As suddenly as New Zealand Hip Hop superstar Scribe emerged with the gold and platinum-selling The Crusader, he seemed to fall under the radar almost as quickly, leaving many to wonder why he didn't capitalize on his success, because as many know success is fleeting in the fickle world of music. Some four years later, Scribe returns with his anticipated second album Rhyme Book and luckily he comes back with just as much fire and determination as the first time around. In comparison to the lead singles from The Crusader, the choice of tracks to introduce the masses to Rhyme Book were heavily questioned ... For the rest of the review please visit: http://www.planeturban.com

While the legacy of Mobb Deep is etched in Hip Hop history, the tremendous production talents and ever-improving lyrical abilities of the soft-spoken Havoc don't get nearly the amount of attention that the brooding and crafty wordplay of his partner-in-rhyme Prodigy do. That is all set to change with Havoc's solo debut The Kush. Living up to the title, this 12-track album is potent and packs a punch. The lead single I'm The Boss is one of the best, if one of the simplest, tracks on the album. Borrowing the same drum sample A Tribe Called Quest ...for the rest visit: http://www.planeturban.com

For the past decade or so, Obese Records has been establishing itself as the premiere record label for Hip Hop music in both Melbourne and Australia as a whole. The fruits of those labors were fully realised in 2003 when Adelaide's Hilltop Hoods hit it big, after twelve years of hard work, putting themselves and their home label Obese on the map simultaneously.With the activities of the past couple of years particularly, Obese Records CEO Tirren Pegz Staaf ...for the rest visit: http://www.planeturban.com

Five years have passed since Kelly Rowland's debut album Simply Deep (2002). Ms Kelly is the sophomore release of the former Destiny's Child member and was originally meant to be released in mid-2006 under the title of My Story. Over a year later with a title change and major track overhaul, Ms Kelly makes an impression ...for the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

Despite the heavy critiques of listeners and critics alike, as well as competitive feuds with several of his fellow artists, the level of anticipation for Curtis 'Interscope' Jackson's third solo album hasn't seemed to have waned. In the wake of heavy bootlegging and an ominous release date (September 11), Curtis, the somewhat comedic title inspired by a diss song recorded by rival Cam'Ron, is finally on the shelves. While I'm not necessarily a massive fan of 50 Cent, I am entertained time to time by his grand boasts and gestures, many of which are very well calculated and in good humour. I also must admit to bumping Get Rich Or Die Tryin' on several occasions, I can't take that away from him. With that in mind

Producers who go from behind the boards to in front of the mic have had a mixed track record in the history of Hip Hop to say the least. For every Lord Finesse, who is able to excel at both, there is a Jermaine Dupri, who proves that his talents are better suited for crafting hits rather than spitting jewels. With that in mind, certified hit-maker Swizz Beatz releases his solo debut proper, not withstanding the patchy compilation-styled G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories from 2002. Interestingly enough Swizz graciously... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

Angelique Kidjo proves language knows no barrier when it comes to music on her latest release Djin Djin. Kidjo's tenth album sees her returning to her Beninese roots and singing in multiple languages including her mother tongue Fon. Aiding her in this spirited release is a cast of all star guests including Alicia Keys, Joss Stone, Ziggy Marley, Carlos Santana and Peter Gabriel. Intended as a return to her musical roots, Djin Djin is a... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

Big band vibes, hip-hop beats, real instruments. These three characteristics are used to create the laid back, chilled out sounds of Circus Maximus put together by Australia's Unkle Ho. Unkle Ho (Kaho Cheung) combines various forms of musical genre's and periods to invent... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

All hail the First Lady of Dancehall!! Walk Out is the latest album from Jamaican star Lady Saw, and boy is it fun. Featuring outstanding production from some of Jamaica's finest, and a wonderful blend of party starters, and introspective ballads, this album is one to watch ... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

Excuse me a minute while I close my eyes and remember back to a time where hip-hop had soul, meaning and passion. What happened to the good days? I may sound outdated to be playing down the current state of hip-hop, for every new generation takes their version as the latest and greatest. Only a select few can look back and appreciate...For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

As there is a whole new swag of fresh faced artists coming out of the works talking about gripping grain, sitting on 24s, drinking purple and keeping it trill, Bun B and Pimp C, rightfully known as the Underground Kingz (UGK), have been there and done that. Now six years after their ill-fated Dirty Money album and following Pimp C's incarceration, the pioneering Houston natives return with this, their self-titled fifth studio album. One of the main characteristics to allow the legendary duo to amass such an enduring career is their ability to... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

'The Ego' is back!! He may be Hip Hop's biggest ego, but boy can Kanye West make some bumpin' muzik! Appropriately, his new album Graduation, kicks off with a track named Champion, which features a wonderfully looped beat teamed up with Kanye's fervent lyrics. Drunk and Hot Girls featuring the wonderful Mos Def is a hilarious track that pokes fun at the plethora of Hip Hop groupies. Indeed much of this album pokes fun at the Hip Hop High Life... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

Yes!! This is how good Aussie Hip Hop can be!! Katalyst's new album What's Happening is a thoughtful, risk-taking, bold album that combines a huge array of styles into one great package. Featuring a huge range of... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

Babyface has always been well known for his incredible song writing ability, having written for everyone from Boyz II Men and Whitney Houston to having just worked with Keyshia Cole and Ashanti. I don't need to explain why he's the best in the business. After a two year layoff Babyface brings us his 11th album Playlist. This is an amazing collection of songs from some extraordinary song ... For the rest of the review please see:http://www.planeturban.com

It's about time! Alicia Keys has finally released her much awaited third studio album As I Am. And what an album it is. It is definitely worth the four long years since The Diary Of Alicia Keys. Keys has steered clear of the general RnB formula and injected a soulful 60s/70s feel to her new release. As I Am has a warm familiar feel that takes you back to the days of listening to the crackling sound of LPs on the family record player. None of the 14 tracks go above ... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

Since first appearing on the scene as one third of the Fugees in the mid 90s, followed by his mixed bag of solo work, Wyclef Jean has established himself as a jack-of-all-trades and the self-proclaimed 'world music ambassador'. After several quiet years, following the underwhelming Preacher's Son, his journey continues on The Carnival Vol II: Memoirs of an Immigrant, the sequel to his revered genre-bending 1997 debut.For the rest of this review please check out: http://www.planeturban.com.au

For a kid that initially rhymed about skateboarding, Lupe Fiasco has certainly changed his lyrical approach. The subject matter on The Cool is much darker than anything on Food & Liquor, which featured mostly poetic, inoffensive lyrics. That has a lot to do with the story of the album. The Cool is a fictional character who was talked about on the first album, and this album is based on his life. For the rest of this review please check out: http://www.planeturban.com

If there is one artist that can truly live up to the title of being Made it is indeed South Park, Houston veteran Scarface. With a prolific twenty-year catalogue under his belt, the former Geto Boy is ready to hang up his microphone for good on this, his eleventh solo project.For the rest of this review please check out: http://www.planeturban.com

Cincinnati's finest, Hi-Tek, has indeed come full circle; from his early days as one half of the duo Mood (with Main Flow) to his acclaimed Reflection Eternal partnership with Talib Kweli and all the way through to his big budget work of today, including on Dr. Dre's eternally delayed Detox project. Hi-Teknology 3, which contains some of his most accomplished work to date, sees the continuation of that journey.For the rest of this review please visit: http://www.planeturban.com

Having heard nothing from the greatest R&B/soul group in the last 20 years for a while, I put Motown Hitsville USA in the cd player with much anticipation.From the beginning things are a little different though. There's no more Michael, sorry ladies, and so Boyz II Men are now a three piece. I must admit that Michael's absence is not overly noticeable as the three remaining voices in Wanya, Shawn & Nate are still some of the most incredible voices in music today.For the rest of this review please visit: http://www.planeturban.com

"Australia's favorite DJ, DJ Nino Brown" is back with Blazin' 2008, a collection of the "biggest Hip Hop" tracks out, and I use the term 'Hip Hop' very loosely. I couldn't help but explode with laughter at the Winner Intro. It is very reminiscent of the episode of Family Guy where Brian becomes a radio host and Stewie joins him, and they play a load of generic sounding radio ads with all the accompanying sound effects. It gets off to a good start with The Way I Are, even though we all have heard it a minimum of 8 million times in the past year. Surprisingly, it doesn't wait until the end of the CD to bring an actually listenable track by (really surprising to me) Young Jeezy, which is I Luv It. For the rest of

While the future of the Wu-Tang Clan as a collective appeared to be in doubt, the groups most consistent member Ghostface Killah continued releasing a steady stream of solid albums, including two in the span of one year, hitting the market with more product before the close of the James Bond year (2-007) as he enters The Big Doe Rehab. For the rest of the review please check out: http://www.planeturban.com

More and more mixtape DJs are looking to legitimize their business, which has been under a particularly large amount of scrutiny as of late, by releasing official studio albums based on their street tapes. The current face of the mixtape movement, Philadelphia native Drama, the 'DJ' was dropped for legal reasons, is following suit with the compilation-styled Gangsta Grillz (The Album).For the rest of the review please check out: http://www.planeturban.com

UK soul singer Gabrielle has quite a distinctive voice (think Dreams and Out of Reach). It always seems to sound the same and that was my primary concern before listening to Always, her sixth studio album. And yet, after listening to the twelve tracks on this new release, I realised it hadn't been an issue.For the rest of this review check out: http://www.planeturban.com

While coming out of nowhere with the monster single Duffle Bag Boy, hilariously-named College Park, Atlanta duo Tity Boi and Dolla Boy, collectively known as Playaz Circle, have been working their way up for the past decade. Originally striking up a friendship with a then unknown fellow aspiring rapper by the name of Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, some ten years ...For the rest of the review please see:http://www.planeturban.com

Reviewing this album was a toughie for me for a couple of reasons.I'm a fan of the majority of Mya's stuffAt first listen I felt really disappointedSo today I threw on Liberation with the intention to listen to it closely and hopefully come up with a more desirable result than the first time.Listening to Liberation gives ...For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com

"Can't leave rap alone the game needs me". It looks as if no one believes that line more than the Jigga man himself. Almost a year has passed since his triumphant return Kingdome Come and he's already delivering another album. This time around it's a concept album inspired by the Denzel Washington flick American Gangster, based on the saga of real-life gangster Frank Lucas.The conceptual theme ... For the rest of the review please see: http://www.planeturban.com