Consistent from front to back. An attention grabber is 'California Bangers', thanks to the 'My Little Girl' sample that has been used well on a number of hip hop songs including a favourite of mine, Ludacris' Hard Times. 'You Don't Know, Who I Know' is another that may catch your attention thanks to the way Brotha Lynch spits on it. While it's consistent, there isn't anything close to amazing. Largely thanks to his voice, BHL is a distinctive rapper, I don't find Eiht to be likewise. Best Tracks: Neighborhood Boyz, You Don't Know Who I Know, Buy Another Gun, War Outside, Round Here, California Bangers

If you are looking for a rap-funk album that's a little abstract, check this out. Many songs don't follow the usual 16/8, verse/chorus structure of most albums with Kokane not scared to play around. I enjoy parts of this, including Kokane doing his best George Clinton impression at times, but after a couple of spins, I haven't come away with much to keep. Best Track: From the Funk to the Back, My Day Is Coming. All Bark No Bite

After eleven years we have a new Akon album. There has been talk of an album or a collection of albums coming out for many years. If I recall correctly, there was a planned album called 'Stadium' and about 3-4 albums that would each feature songs of different genres. It looks like that idea is coming to fruition with this being one of them, with the next out in a couple of weeks. A Latin album isn't something I wanted from Akon but after giving this a few easy spins, it is more enjoyable than I expected. I think he can still craft a song as some of his recent singles have shown. I look forward to the English R&B album. 2-2.5 / 5. Best Tracks: Dile, Sólo Tú

Some great tracks are present here but I feel there are also a few that are just travelling. Many of the songs also don't have the upbeat funkiness that most of the tracks on their debut have. Best Tracks: So Wat Cha Sayin', Please Listen to My Demo, It's Time 2 Party, The Big Payback, Strictly Snappin' Necks.

The first two songs are great with K-Solo rapping with vigour. 'Premonition of a Black Prisoner' takes it down a notch where Solo gets more conscious and political as he does later on on 'Who's Killin' Who?' While the album fails to live up to the beginning there are still some other good tracks worth checking out. For an artist with two solid albums and someone who raps like fire, it's surprising this is as far as it went. He signed to Deathrow in the mid-'90s, and there were rumours he was going to put something out years ago on another label, but nothing has ever come to fruition. 1 I Can't Hold It Back ★★★★☆ 2 Letterman ★★★★★ 3 Long Live The Fugitive ★★★☆ 4 Premonition of a Black Prisoner ★★★☆ 5 Sneak Tip ★★★★ 6 The Baby Doesn't Look Like Me ★★★★ 7 The Formula (House Party) ★★★☆ 8 Who's Killin' Who? ★★★☆ 9 Household Maid ★★★☆ 10 Rock Bottom ★★★☆ 11 King of the Mountain ★★★★ Best Tracks: I Can't Hold It Back, Letterman, Sneak Tip, King of the Mountain.