Best of Cold Chillin
Although he's known primarily for the crossover hit "Just a  Friend," to categorize Biz Markie's career on the basis of that song  would be wholly unjust. ThisCold Chillin'compilation sets the  record straight. As a member of the stylistically diverse Juice Crew,  the formidable clique that includedBig Daddy Kane's  slick debonairness,Roxanne Shante's  defiant b-girl stance, and the tales of hard-knock raconteurKool G. Rap, Biz  Markie's clown-prince character more than held his own. Despite the  fact that he's maintained a low profile in recent years, a fact that  was probably hastened by his losing a landmark sampling case toGilbert O'Sullivan,  Biz Markie's manic energy and unbridled persona paved the way for  distinctive MCs likeOl' Dirty BastardandBusta Rhymes. His  charisma certainly helped him get over his legal troubles, but the  Biz's deft beatboxing skills, humorous storytelling, and freestyle  finesse are all clear on undisputed classics like "Nobody Beats the  Biz," "Vapors," and "Make the Music with Your Mouth, Biz." Had "This Is  Something for the Radio," and "Just Rhymin' with the Biz" (a Big Daddy  Kane track, but a classic Biz appearance nonetheless) shown up here,  this compilation would be definitive. In spite of those omissions, this  fun and funky career retrospective succeeds in giving credit where it  is due.--Del F. Cowie