In the creation of what could only be called a seamless hip hop album, J-Rocc and Babu of the World Famous Beat Junkies (their title, not ours, but possibly true) collected a wide assortment of flamboyant and skillful MCs to compliment their well-hones production skills. From cover to cover, this is a CD you want to put on "repeat."

It has just enough commercial sensibilities to have something of an edge -- the light sound of "Crosstown Beef," an already big radio favorite, and a solid appearance from pre-platinum Slim Shady ("sumpthin sumpthin sumpthin, sumpthin I get weeded/ my daughter scribbled over that rhyme, I couldn't read it") give this album accessibility to hip hop audiences who may not really be heads, but just play them on TV.

For the hard core, you get the likes of "WWIII" with Organized Konfusion's Pharoahe Monch and up-and-coming Shabaam Sahdeeq, or "B-Boy Document 99" with the High & Mighty, Mos Def and Mad Skillz. So many songs stand out as gems that it's hard to pick some sparkling beyond others.

There are one or two semi-formed lumps of coal -- RA The Rugged Man has never sounded better than on "Stanley Kubrick," but what is he talking about? Thirstin Howl III is merely adequate on "Brooklyn Hard Rock," and Common clearly outshines the track of "1-9-9-9."

Altogether, this is still a wonderful album filled with moments you'll be quoting over cheers and laughs for some time. Content to serve their core audiences and still reaching out to new listeners, Rawkus has somethin' goin' on.