Aceyalone - Magnificent City

For years, underground rap producers have been enjoined to stop creating myopic beat symphonies (often instrumental) and start working with real live rappers. For that reason, it's a rare thrill to see one of the underground's finest producers (Rjd2) providing beats for Freestyle Fellowship veteran Aceyalone on Acey's sixth album, Magnificent City (although the hubris of that co-billing -- "Accompanied by Rjd2" is listed on the cover -- can be a mite grating). The producer's two tracks on Aceyalone's 2003 record Love & Hate were solid, and his work here is even more impressive. Read More