NY'S FINEST

Audio Mixer: Gimel "Young Guru" Katon. Recording information: Chocolate Boy Wunda Studios. Photographer: Amir Ebrahimi. The best hip-hop producers are never the best MCs. As Dr. Dre diplomatically put it (in a ghost-written verse), "I never claim to be the baddest with skills/I got a lil' suh-mmm." And while Pete Rock has always fit into this scheme, his work behind the boards more than makes up for it. NY'S FINEST is no exception, as Pete's classic jazz and soul production combines with a lengthy guest list of New York MCs to create one of the most solid group efforts to come out of the rotten apple in years. Royal Flush, Redman, Lords of the Underground, Doo Wop, Raekwon, and the Lox are just a few of the heavy-hitters on hand. And even ham-tongued rappers like Jim Jones and Masta Killa sound slick over Pete's impeccable beatwork.

• Genre: Pop
• Format: CD
• Released: 02/26/2008