VINNIE PAZ Vinyl & CDs

Review: Philly's Vinnie Paz came up in the 90s as part of Jedi Mind Tricks, but these days he's more commonly found charging ahead on his own path. His flow is unmistakable, coming on croaky and cranky with an old-soul outlook which reflects on the grittiness of street life with a wise, embittered touch. That doesn't stop the music from brimming with vitality, toying with cinematic scene setting, sharp-angled riffs and plenty of anthemic hooks that speak to his considerable skin in the game. It's hip-hop which isn't concerned with meeting anyone's expectations, adding another potent entry to Paz's ever-swelling body of work.