Zebrahead Waste of Mind (Columbia/Sony)

Zebrahead's major label debut ain't half bad as a very-mainstream-Korn/Incubus hybrid goes. Meshing punk and a little funk, with a dash of hip hop thrown in, makes for some fun music, regardless of the weak raps: the rhymes on "Get Back" smell a lot like Ice Cube's "Wicked," so whip out that lyric sheet 'cuz you're gonna need it. Gotta love those oldskool Star Trek fonts, though. 7/10 (Lateef Martin)

Molotov Donde Juragan Las Ninas? (Universal)

Look, rap metal à la Rage Against the Machine is getting pretty played out. I don't care if they're superstars south of two borders; without the political bite, these Mexico City horndogs are just barking the live-long day. But there's laff value to be found in the lyric sheet of this two-year-old reissue. Tracks like "Puto" and "Quitate Que Masturbas" bring the blue talk on so fierce that the toughest sailor in Tijuana would have tears in his eyes. Sample: "Chinga yo, chingas tu, chinga tu madre!" Yeah, and here come your madres with some soap for your mouths, boys. 5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)

Prince Paul Prince Among Thieves (Tommy Boy/BMG)

A whole lot of people try to include skits and interludes in their albums nowadays, sometimes missing the point that these things are supposed to bring some kind of "togetherness" to the entire album. Thank Prinse Pawl. This is the father of the hip hop skit, and he's back with a conceptual gem. Following the life of a brother named Tariq, the album links songs with drama--yes, actual acting--and although it sounds tiring, this is dope. The star-studded cast of characters includes performances by Breeze from the Jugganotts, Chubb Rock, Everlast, Chris Rock, the Rza and more. Check Kool Keith on "Welcome to Wepons World," or Big Daddy Kane on "Mackula." This is high calibre hip hop that can actually laugh at itself. 9/10 (Scott C)

Tevin Campbell Tevin Campbell (Warner)

He's had several hit singles, but Tevin Campbell has never achieved that elusive breakthrough album. Unfortunately, this set won't do it either. True, Campbell sings with a new sense of vocal maturity and the production here is better than good. And his duet with SWV's Coko, "Everything You Are," and lead single "Another Way," are among several cuts that could be hit-bound. Still, it's not enough to make him the Next Big Thing he so desperately wants to be. 7/10 (Gerard Dee)

Barry Harris For the Moment (Uptown/Fusion III)

Detroit-born Harris is renowned equally as a pianist and a teacher (altoman Charles McPherson and bassists Paul Chambers and Doug Watkins were among his students). This trio recording with bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Leroy Williams shows Harris at the top of his game in a 13-cut set which includes a medley of Monk tunes and eight of his own memorable originals. Five are released here for the first time. Bebop piano doesn't get much better. 9.5/10 (Len Dobbin)