BUSTA RHYMES Vinyl & CDs

Review: After an explosive announcement trailer showing American MC legend Busta Rhymes on a four way call with some of the greatest hip-hop producers of all time it's hard not to be excited: Pharell Williams, Timbaland and Swizz Beats. His 11th studio album. Busta is indisputably one of the top 50 MCs of all time, a gracious and benevolent force in the industry that has played a hand in Miss Elliot's career, as well as a host of others on his self-founded label Conglomerate. Busta is no nice guy though, with a spine-chilling level of raw talent he's one of the smartest to hold the mic in our time. If 2020's 'Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God' is anything to go off, expect a star-studded line-up, with that album having appearances from Eminem, Mary J Blige, Rapsody, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Q-Tip, Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Rick Ross and more. When Busta knocks, you answer. Even Timbaland bows to the king: "I'm so grateful that you chose for me to be a part of your legacy".

Review: The Big Payback series hits third volume and again bangs together classic soul and funk artists with hip hop giants. This JB & The Soul Mates take on Busta Rhymes. They layer up jazz-funk drums and synths into lively arrangements that are topped with sick verses from the master and plenty of James Brown ad libs also colour the groove. It's a high energy party starter, but if you need something a little less busy, the instrumental on the flip has you covered with its big horns and sax lines getting hands in the air.