Artist: Pete Rock
Album: NY’s Finest
Year: 2008
Review By: thekid8907
Rating: 8/10

Background:

Pete Rock. A legend that has worked with almost every rap tycoon and heavyweight in the game. Most of the time put on the same level as DJ Premier and RZA as one of the greatest producers of all time and a legend of the 90’s, Rock has incorporated a symbolic sound all of his own into his music. Using profound jazz samples, he has infused the music of rap group legends A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Gang Starr, and Stetsasonic.

Getting his first exposure when he was 17 on a radio show of another legend, Marley Marl. Him and CL Smooth put out 5 albums together before splitting.
After the breakup from CL Smooth, Pete Rock released a few classic albums on his own.

1997-Soul Survivor
2001-PeteStrumentals (Although not usually counted as a full studio album.)
2004-Soul Survivor II

Now on his fourth album NY’s Finest brings a culmination of New York’s best, brightest and up-and-comers, including but not limited to LOX Members Sheek Louch and Styles P, Papoose, Raekwon and Masta Killa, plus more.

Tracklisting:

1. “Pete Intro”
2. “We Roll” (feat. Jim Jones & Max B )
3. “Till I Retire”
4. “914″ (feat. Styles P & Sheek Louch)
5. “Questions” (feat. Royal Flush)
6. “Best Believe” (feat. Redman & LD)
7. “Ready Fe War” (feat. Chip Fu & Renee Neufville)
8. “Don’t Be Mad” (Produced by Green Lantern)
9. “Bring Y’all Back” (feat. Little Brother & Joe Scudda)
10. “The Best Secret” (feat. Lords of the Underground)
11. “That’s What I Am Talking About” (feat. Rell)
12. “The PJ’s” (feat. Raekwon & Masta Killa)
13. “Made Man” (feat. Tarrey Torae)
14. “Let’s Go” (feat. DJ Doo Wop
15. “Comprehend” (feat. Papoose)

Track-By-Track Breakdown

Pete Intro-A number of different samples, some scratched. Great intro and somewhat enjoyable, but short unfortunately. 9/10

We Roll-A very smooth beat (as per the Pete Rock style). Jim Jones lays down a pretty good verse. I’m not much for Max B’s however. I would have much enjoyed another member of The Diplomats to spit something. Rock spits a smooth but short verse. 8.5/10

Till I Retire-A scratched sample makes up the basis of the intro part of the beat. This one is straight Rock, no guest spots. I would say this one is okay, above average at best. 7/10

914-A classic sounding beat that is hard hitting. 914=Yonkers Area Code. Styles-Nice first verse and second verse is even better. Sheek Louch- Nicest flow on the track in my opinion. A few good punches. Around :50 left a sample of how black men should act comes on. At :15 left, a sample of police sirens and radio communications comes on. Catchy song and one of my favorites. 9/10

Questions-Spy sounding intro beat. Good shit from Royal Flush. He came hard. In between the first and second verse there is a Q & A session between Flush and the press. :20 switcches to the same type of police sample and radio communications. 8/10

Best Believe-Redman-Classic Redman. Sick Flow and some hot punches. Examples: 1. “I get nuggets, so I’m there with a Carmello uniform” 2. “If the pen run out of ink, I’ll kill another octopus.” Lethal Dialect (LD)-Never heard of him until now but he’s got a good flow. Rock-”Sick of this bubble gum rap with a soda on the side/that these labels and the radio is feedin’ us” “Been a classic since Rakim was rocking a fade/with a halfmoon part and Big Daddy Kane was writing for Biz Mark and…” 10/10

Ready Fe War-Jamaican Intro and Beat. This song features Chip Fu and Renee Neufville. Chip Fu sings and raps the first verse and intro. The verse is typical reggae sounding, with a fast paced style. Rock does the second verse which is very short for some reason. Renee has a beautiful and soulful voice. However, all of that adds up to me not really feeling this track overall. 7/10

Don’t Be Mad-Only track on the whole album that isn’t produced by Pete Rock himself, which in my opinion, was a wrong decision. This track isn’t anything special, average at best. I’m not feeling it. 6/10

Bring Ya’ll Back-The first verse starts off really good. Strong flow and punches. The chorus is meh at best. Second verse is not as strong as the first but just above average at best. Third verse is really the same as the second. 7.5/10

The Best Secret-Two legends of the game come together on one track. The styles of both really fit well together over this smooth Rock Style beat. The first verse starts the track off right. The second about the same. Pete’s pretty good on the third verse “This is why, this is why, this is why I’m hot//I’m not Mims but music’s been my savior” 8.5/10

That’s What I Am-This is the “one for the ladies”. Talks of a girl and how he treated her to the fine life. Rell adds some nice vocals in the back and the chorus. 7.5/10

The PJ’s-One of the hottest songs on the album, and one of my most expected. Raekwon and Masta Killa deliver verses that are their normal subject matter but sound great over a laid back and smooth PR Beat. 9.5/10

Made Man-Rock discusses his legendary status and how his success has made it where he finally gets his chance to shine solo. He also talks about how if he never produces again he stays a made man and legend in the game. Good runs on this one. 8.5/10

Let’s Go-Doo Wop (whom I have never heard of) delivers a good song overall. Above average verses. 7/10

Comprehend-This song has me torn. On one hand the beat is fire, but I think it was a bad choice of who to rap over it. Papoose’s voice just does not suit this particular beat. He’s carrying too much energy compared to the beat. But I respect him for trying to get on with the legend. I do like the way he ended it with a sample saying “Now put that in your pipe and smoke it!” 6.5/10

Hots: A lot of hot collabos Pete Rock’s classical flow and production.
Colds:A few lackluster tracks that aren’t up to the par that is normal with PR releases.

Hottest Track (s):Best Believe-Hot collabo and hottest track on the album
The P.J.’s-Another hot collabo that almost has a new school WU feeling to it.
Coldest Track (s):Comprehend-Beat’s hot, Papoose’s voice over it is not.
Don’t Be Mad-I can’t figure out if it just flat out doesn’t fit Pete Rock’s style or tries to hard to imitate.

Hottest Line (s):
Sick of this bubble gum rap with a soda on the side/that these labels and the radio is feedin’ us” “Been a classic since Rakim was rocking a fade/with a halfmoon part and Big Daddy Kane was writing for Biz Mark and…

OVERALL RATING (Not an Average): 8/10

Final Thoughts: This album was pretty solid. Hot collabos and Pete killing it on his own. However, there were some tracks that were lacking.