... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A neo-electro/drug rap/crossover hip hop classic produced by the Neptunes, and the debut LP on their own Star Trak label. Malice and Pusha T are smooth, confident rhymers with some stand-out moments, but the Neptunes are driving this train, much in the way Prince Paul commandeered early De La Soul productions. Like Paul, The Neptunes' fingerprints are evident on just about every second of every track, but it doesn't diminish the role of the rappers in the least. This is a true hip hop record from beginning to end, something the 'Tunes had shied away from around the same time with the hard rockin' NERD. Their production style saturated pop music at the time, but this may be the Neptunes first album-length masterpiece. Tracks include "Young Boy", "Ma, I Don't Love Her" featuring Faith Evans, "Ego", "Comedy Central" featuring Fabulous, "Gangsta Lean", "Let's Talk About It" featuring Jermaine Dupri, and more. Includes exclusive "Grindin'" remixes. LP, Vinyl record album

Snoop brings Doggy Style over to Geffen – also the home to the Neptunes' Star Trak, Snoop's partners for this seriously strong later effort – also working with a diverse roster of producers and vocal guests including Alchemist, Lil Jon, 50 Cent, Hi Tek, and others. Snoops laidback rhyme style sounds really great on the Neptune productions, with that glittery minimalist electro sound and the digital handclaps that meld perfectly with Snoop's hazy delivery. The the now classic status of the standout single "Drop It Like It's Hot" is pretty much all the evidence you need, but Snoop's on a real high (artistically, that is) here, and mainstream street hop is all the better for it! Other tracks include "Bang Out", "Can I Get A Flicc Witchu" feat Bootsy Collins, "The Bidness", "Let's Get Blown", "Step Yo Game Up" with Lil Jon, "Oh No" with 50 Cent, "Pass It Pass It" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

One of many fine recordings Chet cut in Europe during the 70s – not as mindblowing as his original sides, but with a reticence and sadness that makes it pretty compelling overall. The setting here is spare – with backing by Doug Raney on guitar and Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass – and Chet's mostly blowing on trumpet, but also gets in some sad vocals on two tunes: "But Not For Me" and "The Touch Of Your Lips". Other trakcs include "I Waited For You", "Blue Room", and "Star Eyes". CD