Vol. 2-Soundbombing

As the home of Black Star and Company Flow, Rawkus has made a name for itself as the label for any late-1990s discerning hip-hop fan. But DJs have come to know Rawkus as the home of some of the underground's best singles--tracks that were available only on vinyl until the label started the Soundbombing series. Soundbombing II opens with Beat Junkies J-Rocc and Babu working their magic on Eminem's "Any Man"--and while it's a strong track from the wack-minded MC, it's clear that the men behind the wheels of steel are hosting this party. That's not to imply that the MCs aren't doing their part--Mos Def is the best part of a great track on "B-Boy Document"; his partner in Black Star, Talib Kweli, busts out with his other crew, Reflection Eternal, and the sultry-voiced Bahamadia on "Chaos"; Medina Green displays a nice flow on "Crosstown Beef" (produced, incidentally, by De La Soul's Posdanuos); and Dilated Peoples drop their science over minimal backing on "Soundbombing." There's more (from Company Flow, Grand Puba, Sir Menelik, Common, and Sadat X, among others), and it's consistently interesting, if not consistently overwhelming. --Randy Silver