Hip-Hop is organized in a very curious fashion when compared to rock and or roll. As opposed to steadfast groups, hip-hop leans towards collectives and label groups to lend more freedom to the creation of music. Anticon, Def Jux, 7Heads all have releases with mix matched lineups, groups trading producers and vice versa to attain new sounds and identities. Maybe Kool Keith/Doc Oc/The Black Elvis best exemplifies this metamorphosis from release to release.

Anyway, I got this new slab from Halftooth Records outta NYC, looked at the cover and had no idea what to expect. Saw some names I recognized (J-Live, Wordsworth, Asheru and Talib Kweli) and some I did not (Oddisee, Kenn Star, Phonte and Big Pooh).

It turns out that this is the first outing for HalfTooth Records. It’s a compilation, don’t be saddened yet though, there are some tracks on here worth wading through the mire for. Nineteen tracks are turned in here, about half of them being produced by Oddisee for Reagle Beagle Productions (if you don’t get it watch Nick at Nite for a while). From sheerly the standard of listenablity, Oddissee is the rapper/producer that comes out of this whole deal sounding like a star. It’s hard to deny the ability of this gentleman based solely upon his beats and production, but coupled with his rhyming, he seems primed for greater exposure then all the boroughs combined can provide. All this does not mean that the comp is in anyway groundbreaking or even overtly thought provoking, just solid.

On the forth track, “Long Time Comin’ (Makin’ Moves)”, a nicely layered Oddisee beat persists throughout. The first listen to the record made me think this was the best track, possibly due to the Mos Def invoking of Phonte. It sounds good though. Derivative, but personalized. The subject matter, reconstituted, but not un-listenable.

“Yes Yall” combines (like Voltron) the production talents of the aforementioned Oddisee with his rapping talents. Very simply, he wants everyone to support the music/movement. There maybe somewhat of an annoying-sing-song-chorus, but overall, solid and indicative of the talent that this man possesses (Also see the track “Brother”).

Outta the whole album, the most unique track is probably “Here We Go Again”. Wordsworth became familiar to listeners on The Lyricist Lounge as half of Punch n Words. On this new slab, Words might have the steadiest flow when compared to his peers. I hear a little bit of Aceylone and the Digable Planets. Either way, he’s been around too long to be ignored.

Easily the best couplet on the entire slab comes from Asheru: “If it wasn’t for a mic check/I wouldn’t have a check at all.” The first single is called “IF”. There’s a little social commentary , Asheru, Talib Kweli and an interesting gentlemen named Kenn Starr (that’s comedy). Nice keyboard melody to boot.

Compilations, unlike full-length albums, rarely possess any kind of coherence. The flow from track to track on this album is lacking, while the tracks are mostly above average, the consistency and production (flow of the slab) could make it a little better. The instrumentals on here are all superb. The final track, “IshLab Outro”, would have been more effective if at the beginning of the slab. Also the two-tasty-Oddissee-interludes would have done a little better to be spaced out. Not a bad start to a label. Actually, it’s pretty damned good. Definitely watch for Oddissee to come back again and again and again.