Bar Centrale - Various Artists

Advantages: Various songs, hottest cuts, kool classics
Disadvantages: a few songs bit iffy

...Essential Asian Flavas Vol.2 - Various Artists Following the success and major hit records of Essential Asian Flavas Vol.1 - Various Artists, the 2nd volume launched in May 2003 by outcaste records. It comprises of a mixture of various Asian artists from the likes of Jogi, Jay Sean and Bhangra Knights. This album is bigger and better then the first with fresh new hits, fresh grooves and desi beats that will have you swinging your hips in no time.. !!! It features a wide selection of tracks including brand new street tunes from Rishi Rich & Juggy D with Dance With You, and influential classics from the last few years Shazia Manzur with Aaja Sohneya, a pure classic!! The track listings are as follows:- Tracklisting: 1) Dum Dum Project feat the1shanti 'Punjabi 5-0' 2) Punjabi MC 'Jogi' 3) Rishi Rich feat. Jay Sean & Juggy D... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Finest of the West Coast
Disadvantages: No NWA

...This soundtrack album provides you with the best hardcore Hip Hop of the 80s-90s switchover in the West Coast. Using tracks heard in the classic South-Central-based drama starring Cuba Gooding Jr., many classic tracks are used from the era however there is no N.W.A. which I would have preferred to have had. I can understand why this group was not featured, due to their beef with Ice Cube, who also appeared in the film, at the time. Despite the absence of N.W.A. there is still a strong lin-up with the likes of 'Compton's Most Wanted', '2 Live Crew' and 'Too $hort', all of whom are pioneers to Hip Hop in the West Coast of USA. 1. "How To Survive In South Central" - Ice Cube **Five Stars** 2. "Just Ask Me To" - Tevin Campbell & Chubb Rock 3. "Mama Don't Take No Mess" - Yo Yo **Four Stars** 4. "Growin' Up In The Hood" - Compton... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: A handful of decent rock tracks
Disadvantages: Too many contrasting styles, album doesn't work as a whole

...surrounding it. Then, just when you think things couldn’t get any worse the opening bars of ‘Evening Sun’ hit your tormented ears and the evil, dulcet tones of a mid-tempo, country rock song pollutes the surrounding air. Pair this with a pointless two minute instrumental track and various other sub standard blues style offerings and what you have is not only a poor album but a poor collection of songs. At this point the album has ceased to exist as an entire entity and what we have is a loose collection of songs that unwittingly inhabit the same album. In amongst the maelstrom however, there are some really good garage rock/blues tracks. ‘Inferno’, an angry and pulsating song blasts with an intensity that would have been welcomed across the entire album and Marcus’ vocals seem to have a more natural feel on this track. In the middle... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful