Review by Loose Cannonz

Dow Jones & Star Trak - Mask and Gloves Vol. 1

If you wanna talk bout world premiers and exclusives, excluding the left coast wouldn't make sense. You not gonna get the first G-Unit, D-Block, or Diplomats songs from Cali's Untouchables; rather, you gonna get the very best from a rising coast-see the success of Snoop and Game's latest discs for examples-something Clue, Slay or Envy can never claim. The truth of the matter is most of you still ain't check for the Wesside despite Aftermath's recent billboard input. Genius as the Neptunes are, the addition of the Left's Roscoe P. Coldchain to StarTrak can only do the imprint some good, as Slim Thug remains their top dawg of the South. Roscoe's deep nasal is exposed throughout the disc, delivering those pimp-em-gang-em raps not heard since the essence of the DPG. "1 Day At A Time" lacks impressive production, also featuring midriff rappers The Stockholders. And since Roscoe sounds a bit uninspired this ain't a smart choice for the first track. "Rearview," laced by Dow Jones himself (yeah, much like Green Lantern, the man mixes all the tracks, pops exclusives, has some blends and lays down beats), packs a vicious violin loop and belting beat that exhibit Roscoe's hilarious conversational style. "Handle Your Biz" packs that off-kilter Neptunes production that Ros meshes with; "Gangsta Banger" is the first look at dude over an Alchemist beat-and who else better to drop the murdering soul; while "Can't, Won't, Shit On Me" contains more of the Latin-fused bounciness the Neps' tunes match to the charismatic drawl; lastly, "Young Boys" includes dope drum rattles and tingling strings. If you want the cold streets in all its side-splitting glory, look no further than Roscoe P. Coldchain's debut Hazardous Life on StarTrak this summer.

Who are the best lyricists in the south? Crooked I is one of them, and surprisingly he's not here. The others, Ras Kass, Planet Asia, Sly Boogie, and Kam…wait…that Kam? Yeah, the comeback is official on "Real Life," his version of an industry-calling "Why," keeping things controversial as ever over an appetizing Jake One effort (don't sleep on this cat on the boards either). It's a shame the track is only a minute long, but at least y'all know who's back... C-Arson's Ras Kass looks to be the next Left-Coaster to capture national acceptance-is he signed to Aftermath?-with the bangers "Fuk U Up" produced by Scott Storch (the chiming piano loops sound very Dr. Dre-ish) and the killer "Kaution" courtesy of Rick Rock. Ras still poppin' thangs with the ill lyrics and an improved original flow that should ask the serious question: why he ain't blow yet? Scipio is joined by the likes of Ras and Planet Asia on the "Round Here" remake, while P.A. destroys De La's "Rock Co.Kane Flow" on the freestyle tip. Former Aftermath legend King T and W.C. bring back more thump for ya trunk on "Twist A Corner," dipping many lanes this summer. Speakin' of bouncin', Rick Rock on the beat again for Sly Boogie's ride anthem, exposing the ill flow to crowds who ain't know. With Sly you witnessing one of the West's next greats and that's fa shizzle. Yukmouth sounds better than ever over Bump J's "Move Around," while Dow Jones provides Fat Joe with lyrical additions from archenemy 50 Cent and the late B.I.G. on his remix to "Safe 2 Say." It's a shame cats will sleep on Dow Jones; so maybe it's the DJ's job to do better at shooting for that nationwide shine. As for those sick of the same ol' exclusives on the same 10 mixtapes that drop every week, investing your time into a Dow mixtape wouldn't be that bad of an idea.

RATING SYSTEM
	Trash
	Step Ya Game Up
	Diehards only
	In the Deck
	Straight Crack
	Among Year's Best
	Mixtape Classic