An important early 90s moment for Run DMC – as the set has one of the first big major hip hop acts of the 80s, retuning themselves slightly for the new decade – in part by opening the door to added guests and producers for the record! The core energy that makes the trio so great is still very firmly in place – including inventive work on the turntables from Jam Master Jay – who produces here too, alongside Pete Rock, Jermain Dupri, EPMD, and Q-Tip too. Titles include the great title track, "Down With The King" – plus "Come On Everybody", "Can I Get It Yo", "Hit Em Hard", "Big Willie", "In The House", "Wreck Shop", "Can I Get A Witness", "Get Open", "What's Next", and "3 In The Head". LP, Vinyl record album

The killer debut of Bahamadia – an underground force on the same Philly scene that gave the world The Roots back in the 90s – and one who steps out here with a force that's fantastic! Part of the record's charms come from the killer production work from DJ Premier and Guru – as tunes are filled with all sorts of well-chosen solos, used in lean ways that refine an earlier Native Tongues sort of vibe – never trying to pack too much into a tune, and instead focusing on key elements that provide the perfect counterpart to Bahamadia's rhymes! The whole album's great – no filler at all – and The Roots make a guest appearance on the Philly-centric "Da Jawn", next to other cuts that include "True Honey Buns", "I Confess", "Word Play", "UKNOWHOWWEDU", "3 Tha Hard Way", "Biggest Part Of Me", "Spontaneity", "Rugged Ruff", "Total Wreck", and "Path To Rhythm". LP, Vinyl record album