Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band -- Shoutin' in Key: Live (Hannibal/Song) Taj Mahal has one of the most soulful voices you'll ever hear. Fucking excellent. 9 (JC)

Woody Shaw Live--Volume One (HighNote/Fusion III) The late trumpeter in full flight! 9 (LD)

Linval Thompson -- Ride On Dreadlocks 1975-77 (Blood and Fire/Outside) Delicious rasta reggae, with a certain psychedelic flair and a focused dub glaze. B&F scores again. 8 (RB)

Various -- Solid Soul (Masiv) Canadian soul is front and centre on this showcase compilation featuring Canuck talent like Carlos Morgan and Meesha. 7.5/10 (GD)

Cap 1 -- Through the Eyes of a Don (Motown/Universal) Cap rips the mile-a-minute flow with Twista and gets stupid with Canibus. 6 (SC)

Madball -- Hold It Down (Epitaph/Sonic Unyon) "New Yawk hawd coah" seeped in the familiar testosterone retardation. 6 (JC) br>
Nelly Country -- Grammar (Reel/Universal) Page Nelly's cousin and he'll call you back with his mama's cell number--she'll give you Nelly's real pager number that you can page with your cell number. 5 (SC)

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