Hands on
Here's a lounge-worthy compilation for hip-hop hipsters of all persuasions. DJ Nu-Mark, ofJurassic 5fame, has crafted a mellow, smooth mix CD that successfully merges mid-'90s backpacker rap with its successor, the indie underground, and also offers an ambitious selection of foreign MCs the opportunity to snag some well-needed shine time. Nu-Mark sparks it off with a nice selection of slow funk burners before streaming into a run of artfully chopped up classics, highlights of which are an alternate version ofOrganized Konfusion's "Fudge Pudge" and a groovy Latin instrumental by theBeatnuts. Surprisingly, the underground rap that follows sounds pretty ho-hum in comparison. ButHands Onregains momentum when Shurik’n, of the French group IAM, kicks off the international section of the disc. Nu-Mark andJ-Livetake it back Stateside and end things on a perfect note with a brand new tune entitled "Brand Nu Live."--Rebecca Levine