Soundbombing Vol.3

Track 3 in this excellent series kicks off with guaranteed hit "The Life" by Styles P (of the Lox) and ex-Organized Konfusion man Pharaohe Monch. However it's not all smooth going from there. Mos Def's "Freak Daddy" is surprisingly disappointing, the resurrected old-Schooler Kool G Rap doesn't seem to be offering anything new (or indeed old), and the mixing from Mr Choc and Cipha Sounds doesn't match the quality of the previous albums (especially J-Rocc and Babu's cutting on SB2).

Soundbombing 3 actually gets better near the end. It's a brave step using the Belgian/African group Zap Mama on a hip-hop album with the musically diverse "Yelling Away" and The Cocoa Brovaz cut "Spit Again" with Dawn Penn (yes her of "No, No, No" fame) is a ragga hip-hop banger of heavyweight nature. Q Tip also chips in with the typically sparse but itchily funky necksnapper "What Lies Beneath". However at less than an hour this is the least value for money of the three Soundbombings yet made. Not essential as the second, but if you own that you'll want this. --Jake Barnes