Tony Touch has turntable skillz, but falls far from the midas touch. He provides the beats and even some lyrics for some of the most prominent rappers in the hip hop game. The album is packed with 21 tracks, interleaving the lyrical skills of Gang Starr, Flipmode Squad, Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, Xzibit, Tash, Defari, Heltah Skeltah, Total, Mobb Deep, Beatnuts, Mos Def, Big Pun, Eminem, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, and many many more.

This album was a bit of a disappointment. Most songs feature production and scratching from Tony Touch. Oddly enough, several songs seem to not include him at all. Of the 21 tracks on the album, only four stood above average. Apart from those four, the album was bland and fairly unappealing.

'Likwit Rhyming' features the likwit crew members: Defari, Tash & Xzibit. It's got a switchy beat providing a challenge for these rappers. But the challenge is topped, by some masterful vocal play. 'I Wonder Why? (He's The Greatest DJ)' features Keisha & Pam of Total. The funky, disco-tinged beat gives the song an upbeat feel and makes you wonder why the rest of the album doesn't sound nearly as good. 'Pit Fight' is another great songs featuring Greg Nice & Psycho Les of the Beatnuts. 'No, No, No' features the Boot Camp Clik's Heltah Skeltah & Starang Wondah. The track houses the best turntable manipulation that I've heard in a long time. The lyrics are so delicately placed with the positive build up to an ominous "No, No, No" will leave you in awe.

Overall, this album was a bit of a disappointment. Apart from the four impressive tracks, the album fell below average and seemed very bland. If you're a connoisseur of the turntable art, then you might wanna give Tony Touch's skill a listen. Otherwise, four great tracks out of 21 doesn't make this a really worthwhile pickup.

www.brockwayent.com

(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)

This review was written May 30, 2000