1999 seemed like a year of where a lot of record labels were focusing more on releasing compilations. There were so many compilations coming out that the market was flooded. The music industry first started to release music from various artists on motion picture soundtracks. And, because of the success of those records, labels saw the potential of releasing compilations. Blindside Recordings recently released a compilation called Wide Angles. It features some of New York's most skilled and talented artists and producers in the underground scene today. Not only does the record have tracks by legendary artists like De La Soul and Pharoahe Monch of Organized Konfusion, the album also has tracks by artists that have released classic independent records.


Truth Enola starts out the album with his track "Voicetress." It's a collaboration with NY's notorious rap group De La Soul. I was very pleased to see that one of my favorite Hip Hop groups was still recording music because De La Soul has always had dope records . One of my favorite emcees, Pharoahe Monch, has a track on Wide Angles called "Tooley Crew Personified." The track itself is blessed with production by DJ Spinna of Rawkus Records. Pete Rock's little brother, Grap Luva, has his own solo track on the album called "Touch The Sky." Mos Def and Talib Kweli have a joint on this LP called "Another World" which has been hot for a quick minute in the underground because of the remix they released on a 12" single. I have to admit that the remix floating around is a lot hotter than the original mix that's on this album. J-Live took me by surprise on his track "Shyste." I was hoping to hear something new from J-Live since he released the true underground classic "Braggin Writes." His lyrical abilities kill 99% of the emcees recording today. J-Live is far from being wack. I consider him as one of the top 10 emcees that came from the late 90's because of the ill lyrics he drops. The album, Wide Angles, is fairly decent. The production is cool, the lyrics are straight, but there is a few tracks I'm not truly feeling. Make sure to give this album a listen before buying it to make sure it's something you want to buy.