This 16-song mixtape features some of the biggest names in hip-hop including Jay-z, 50 Cent, Foxy Brown, and Busta Rhymes. Unfortunately the mixtape's host, DJ Envy, pollutes each song with shout outs. Apparently paranoid about people dubbing copies, he felt it necessary to yell his name "DJ Envy" and his crew "Desert Storm" over every song while using an annoying echo effect. It's like a mosquito in the middle of the night: it buzzes every couple minutes, just enough to catch your attention, annoy you and keep you from enjoying your music, err.. I mean sleep.

Desert Storm Records are the founders of this mixtape and are home to renowned DJs Envy and Clue along with rappers Fabolous, Joe Buddens and others. Naturally the mixtape's most captivating beat is handed to Joe Buddens on 'Focus.' Other impressive tracks include G-Unit's 'What Goes Around' which clings to yet another catchy 50 Cent chorus; DMX's great street lyricism on 'Deeper'; Murphy Lee's use his St. Lunatics slang to complement Wally's hot beat on 'Jungle Gym'; and its always nice to see Rah Digga and Busta Rhymes collaborating on 'Throw Your S*** Up.'

Despite an all-star line up of featured artists, the production on The Desert Storm Mixtape: Blok Party Vol. 1 falls short. Several songs plain fail to captivate my attention like Ja Rule, Lil Mo & Vita's 'We Fly' and The Lox's 'D Block.' These songs sound like they were built using 2001's hit song formula. Regardless, the mixtape does provide a nice diversity of styles, sounds and rappers, likely yielding something satisfying to nearly any listener.

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