Soul Survivor
With his first solo album, Pete Rock reminds us why his past work with partner CL Smooth resulted in some of the most luscious hip-hop beats the art form has ever known. While Rock's lyrical presence falters, his musical craft makes up the difference as the Soul Brother No. 1 switches from the sublimely soulful ("Mind Blowin'") to the ultrafunky ("Da Two") to the dramatically sinister ("The Game").Soul Survivormay lack the lyrical credentials to contend to be the year's best hip-hop album, but it easily ranks as one of the year's most listenable efforts. Sit down, max, and relax to the sultry sounds of Pete Rock.--Oliver Wang