Muggs
“Soul Assassins II”
(RuffLife Records)
This disc is a follow-up to Muggs first Soul Assassins compilation, released in 1997. Although the Cypress Hill DJ has brought back a lot of the MCs featured on the first album, Soul Assassins II really blows the first one away. As on the first album, Muggs creates a darker, moodier sound than he uses when working with Cypress Hill- this is a record that should not be played anywhere near a dance floor. The variety of MCs on the album- from West Coast kings B-Real and Xzibit to Wu-Tangs GZA (one of the most underrated MCs around) to underground favorites Dilated Peoples – lends freshness and keeps you guessing without sacrificing the albums consistency. Even though Muggs protégé Alchemist produces a few tracks, youd never know it without looking at the credits. Soul Assassins II is a tight disc from top to bottom. Its real hip hop as brought to you by oneof the true masters.