Big Playback
On their companion album to the splendidBook of Rap Lists, the folks at Ego Trip assemble a compelling anthology that plumbs hip-hop's historic (1983's epic "Beat Bop" by Rammelzee and K-Rob), obscure (MC Mitchski's lost "answer" rap to the whole Bronx/Queensbridge beef, "Brooklyn Blew Up the Bridge"), and esoteric (MC EZ and Troop's "Get Retarded") offerings from the 1980s' so-called golden era. Archival standards aside, the comp has some killer singles from rap's yesteryear, especially the brilliant "Droppin' It" by the Bizzie Boyz and Ultimate Force's hyper-than-a-heart-attack "I'm Not Playin.'" Just like the New York hip-hop scene enjoying its breakout moment in the mid- to late-80s,The Big Playbackcomes out swinging with swagger, every song an attempt at a knockout punch.--Oliver Wang