Soul Mosaic
The longtime staple of the Ubiquity family, Southern California's DJ Greyboy crashed the scene a decade ago as a leading purveyor of what was then called acid jazz. That term may have fallen quickly out of favor, but Greyboy's music never has. As the title implies, Greyboy offers a kaleidoscope of hip-hop beats and scratches, funk grooves, smooth R&B;, and jazzy flourishes. Greyboy has always shown an amazing ability to weave these kinds of sounds together in cohesive fashion, andSoul Mosaicis certainly no exception. This time out, however, he's upped the ante by bringing in a wide range of singers, MCs, and turntablists, and by focusing more intently on creating stand-alone songs. Many of the best cuts are straight-up soul songs with full vocal arrangements and irresistible hooks--a bit of a departure from previous CDs, but no less effective. That it all flows together magnificently should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with this underappreciated talent.--Marc Greilsamer