This is probably R. Kelly's most hip hop influenced album. Kells raps on the opening track, then the following three are all quite hip hop influenced, and you've got about half a dozen more of them. While there are songs that work, Kells doesn't generally do the hip-hop/R&B as well as the slow jamz. It is also an R. Kelly album which I'm not very passionate about. There isn't a five out of five-star song here, which I would say every one of his other albums has to keep you going back. Of the slow jamz, I enjoy the ridiculously metaphorical 'Sex Planet' and 'Leave Your Name', but nothing is on the level of his previous or future work. The Virginia Tech Tribute track, 'Rise Up', is another favourite as I'm a sucker for these type of uplifting tracks from Kells - It's much like many of the tracks that made up the 'U Saved Me' disc. Everything is solid-good, hence the reasonable rating, but I'd say that almost every other R. Kelly album has received more air time from me. 3.5-3 / 5 Best Tracks: Double Up, Leave Your Name, I'm a Flirt Remix, Sex Planet, Rise Up

Run-D.M.C.'s final album starts off well, getting better and better from track one to three with the title track being the pick from the disc, just like it was on their previous album, 'Down with the King'. The Fred Durst assisted 'Them Girls' is the worst thing here and it begins a run of weak songs. 'The School of Old' is a slight improvement but 'Take the Money and Run', which samples the song of the same name by the Steve Miller Band, is not my thing either. 'Rock Show' continues the trend of the rock-influenced tunes as does 'Here We Go 2001'. It's probably the best of the lot but still nothing to write home about. From there, more of a general hip hop sound is present until the album closes. If you love rap-rock, you may enjoy this more than I do, but overall, it's a poor way for the iconic group to hang up the mic. Best Tracks: Queen's Day, Crown Royal, Ahhh, Simmons Incorporated

This compilation was apparently only released in Japan and features some tracks from 'TP.3 Reloaded' and live versions of tracks from 'Chocolate Factory' and 'Happy People / U Saved Me'. Of the new tracks, 'Africa' and 'Front Line' feel very much like something off the 'U Saved Me' disc of the previously mentioned album. There are some remixes also, one of which is Jennifer Lopez's 'Baby I Love You', Twista's 'So Sexy', and also some tracks Kells has featured on like, Syleena Johnson's 'Hypnotic' and 'Pick Up the Phone' which is from the '2 Fast 2 Furious Soundtrack'. Well worth listening to for fans. Best Tracks: Hypnotic, Sex in the Kitchen Album, Baby I Love You, You Kept My Fire Burning, You Save Me (Live Version).

This is very different from R. Kelly's last albums, 'Chocolate Factory' and 'Happy People/U Saved Me', as, as the title suggests, the subjects sang about are closer to his earlier albums. So if you're not a fan of the '12 Play' type of lyrics you won't like most of this album, but if you like most of his older stuff I think you will like enough of this album. On the production side of things, apart from the Scott Storch produced opener, a lot of it is your usual R. Kelly slow jamz type of production. Not all of it works though, 'Remote Control', where he is high pitched for the whole track, and 'Touchin' are the worst slow jamz here and get boring. And of the more upbeat tunes, 'Reggae Bump Bump' is something a touch different than R. Kelly has done in the past and is dancehall influenced, it's okay but gets a lil monotonous. The beat needs some variation midway through, and 'Girls Go Crazy' falls into a similar problem-the beat ain't good enough. You still get some great slow jamz like 'In the Kitchen', 'Kickin' It With Your Girlfriend' and 'Sex Weed'. Some good hip hop influenced tracks such as 'Playas Only' and 'Happy Summertime', and it would be remiss of me not to mention the 'Trapped In The Closest chapters which offer good variety and are a momentous moment in modern music. Which some have referred to as the 'Plan 9 from Outer Space' of music. There are flaws but it's well worth checking out for the best it offers. Best Tracks: Playa's Only, Happy Summertime, In the Kitchen, Kickin' It With Your Girlfriend, Sex Weed, Trapped in the Closet Chapter 2 Apparent original tracklisting: 1. In the Kitchen 2. T-Shirt 3. Piper, The 4. In the Kitchen 5. Trapped in the Closet Chapter 1 6. Trapped in the Closet Chapter 2 7. Trapped in the Closet Chapter 3 8. Trapped in the Closet Chapter 4 9. Trapped in the Closet Chapter 5 10. Slow Wind 11. Supa Dupa Man 12. Hit It Til the Morning 13. Reggae Bump, Bump 14. Touchin 15. Kiss You in Those Places 16. Heaven Chose You 17. Prelude 18. T-Shirt (remix) 19. Playa's Only

I've been going through the top 100 hip hop charts, and listening to what I haven't got around to yet. After going through 10-15 of them, many have been underwhelming, and expect for Fugees' 'The Score', nothing has been added to my best of the best list. Finally though, another one gives me some thorough enjoyment. I'd checked out 'Daily Operation' before this and found it solid, but I'm not sure if it is just because I'm more used to it, but I find Guru sounding more awake on this, the beats are more jazzy and enjoyable, and there are more attention-grabbing tracks. It could have possibly used a feature or two, but nevertheless, it is a very consistent 50 minutes of early '90s hip hop. Best Tracks: Step in the Arena, Here Today, Gone Tomorrow, Take a Rest, As I Read My S-A