The 'Slam Soundtrack' wasn't quite the Slamming sensation that one might have expected it to be. It's star-studded featured artists led me to believe that it'd be really good. Unfortuntely, the album was rather bland and comprised only a few nearly-great songs. It's diamond-studded artists includes the likes of; Busta Rhymes, Noreaga, Mobb Deep, (the infamous) Ol' Dirty Bastard, Coolio, Flipmode Squad, Pras, KRS-One, Big Pun, Next, Q-Tip, Goodie Mob, Black Rob, Brand Nubian, and the list goes on and on...

This album proves that big names don't always make big albums. They all contributed somewhat stale songs, most bordering on being really good, but just falling short.

The first single off the album, "I Dare You" by Black Rob, is one of the better songs off the album. It's got a definite Harlem World feel. Lyrically, this song'll make you think that you can take on any challenge and bring its defeat. "The Park" by Coolio and Ol' Dirty Bastard is pretty amazing. Lately, everything ODB's done has been hot. (Look out for his album scheduled to be out in December.) It's got a retro-type backbeat, with a catchy chorus. ODB throws his usual pumped lyrics in the mix and you know it's hot. "The World I Know" by Goodie Mob and Esthero throws a chorus at cha that'll no doubt stick in your head. Esthero, who I believe provides the female chorus, has got an appealing edge to their sound that kind of reminds me of Portishead.

The 'Slam Soundtrack' provides a good variety of different sounds, but doesn't put out a stand-alone amazing single. I got the impression that if you gave this album a long time to settle, that it could be a pretty good album. But, I'd still suggest that you hold off buying it until your friend does, so that you can borrow it from him/her.

www.brockwayent.com

(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)

This review was written November 16, 1998