It's difficult to picture 1989 through the haze of blunt smoke and the gleam of platinum jewelry that clouds the hip hop constellation of 1999. But a Brooklyn duo calling themselves Gang Starr debuted, featuring not only the man who would come to be known as arguably the best producer in hip hop, but the jazz-loving emcee who would take the artistic envelope of the music and push it into greater acceptance amongst the snobs of jazz and "traditional" music. To commemorate and honor the contribution of Gang Starr, their new (and far more helpful) label has brought Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr.

Now, if you're looking for the kufi-wearing, slim Guru of the "Positivity" video, you may be outta luck -- that song and that feeling is missing from this double CD (save the passing sentiment of "Royalty" and the Bomb Squad inspired "Who's Gonna Take The Weight?"). Crime stories dominate, tales of cartridges filled with bullets, stolen chains, and the dark back alleys of Bed-Stuy. Gang Starr, an elder group in the game now with a powerful collection of albums under their belt, stand by their urban Wolf Blitzer steez, bringing all the news live and direct, with no whoriding glamorization nor bassless conscious criticism. This is how it is, from the monotone delivery of Guru, and it sounds great over the sonic landscape of DJ Premier.

The new cuts, as well, are great -- with the exception of Total on "Discipline," which sounds like they snuck in the studio after Guru and Primo left and hit record. Everything you're looking for -- slamming beats appropriate for car or walkman, and lyrics with punchlines for the easily amused and intricate structure for the lyrical analyst.

All they're missing is a cut with Puffy, Missy, Jigga or JD to snatch the easy platinum. Noooo, that's not the steez, son. Gang Starr will get it the old fashioned way -- by earning your respect. If guru would stop shouting the lyrics in concert and let his natural flavor flow at the level of the recorded music, then there may finally be a worthy successor to Run-DMC's total package legacy to pass on to the next generation of hip hop.