The sticker on the front of this album stated: 'The #1 mix tape DJ compilation of the year!'. I opened it with doubts, every album now seems to have a sticker on it, enticing you to buy. But not only did DJ Clue's 'The Professional' live up to the billing on the sticker, it quite possibly could be one of the best albums of the year. It was amazing. Clue produces 12 of the 19 songs on the album, and for the most part, those are the best songs. It defies me how DJ Clue can include 7 songs on his album in which he seems to have no part - ah well... 'The Professional' features an avalanche of big-name artists, including; DMX, Jay-Z, Foxy Brown, Ma$e, Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliott, Mobb Deep, Redman, Keith Murray, Nas, Big Pun, Noreaga and so on. DJ Clue has serious mixing skillz. Each song has a unique beat and Clue often throws in clips and backbeats. Clue's production sounds like he took lyrics and then added a beat to them, they flow smooth as a MacLaren F-1 on the Autobahn.

'The Professional' has 3 amazing tracks: "That's The Way" features Ma$e, Foxy Brown and Fabolous Sport. It's a brilliantly mastered track with funky beats and sampling from KC & Sunshine Band's "That's The Way" (which you might recognize from the Crunchy chocolate Bar commercials). It features a hook that sounds similar to that of Mariah Carey's "Fantasy". It's just grand! "I Like Control" features Missy Elliott, Mocha & Nicole. An upbeat female-laced track, whose Missy-tinged chorus tells rappers to stop frontin, when they're really wack. Don't fret when the chorus gets stuck in your head. Jay-z provides the 3rd amazing song entitled, "Gangsta S**t" featuring Ja Rule. A deep-base beat with a slowed down synthesizer sound fluidly runs to the base of your head. Prompting lyrical comprehension of the dope/ gangsta game. Other notably great songs include; "Ruff Ryders Anthem(remix)" feat DMX, "Thugged Out S**t" feat Memphis Bleek, and the Jermaine Dupri track.

DJ Clue's 'The Professional' definitely gets my vote for best compilation album of the year. I've been waiting quite some time for a mix album this good. Clue's got mad mixing skillz that are proved again and again with all the scintillating production. If you're a hiphop fan then You Need This Album.

www.brockwayent.com

(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)

This review was written January 13, 1999