There are few instances in music let alone hip hop where there is a monumental occurrence. The new D.I.T.C album is one of them. With a line up of seasoned hip hop professionals and the best in the business on production, this album will prove to be in heavy rotation for years to come. The D.I.T.C. crew consists of hip hop's royalty. Founding members Show(biz) and Diamond (D) started the crew way back in 1988 and ever since the have brought in the talents of Fat Joe, AG (Andre The Giant), Lord Finesse, O.C., Buckwild and the deceased Big L. The status of the crew creates a reverse approach to the album. D.I.T.C. is not a bunch of young guns thirsty for recognition. They are a group of "made men" out for the gusto. Their combined list of achievements is a staggering 15 plus albums plus many cameo appearances on other artist albums. If you don't know anything about their previous albums this new D.I.T.C album is a modern day extension of their former achievements.

For now, let us let the tracks speak for themselves. The first track is the newest single from the album, the DJ Premier produced "Thick". This track basically is a warning shot of how incredibly potent and well versed these scholars are. With shimmery vibes and tense strings, this track provides perfect ground for AG, Big L and OC to flex over. The production is typical and tight (as always with DJ Premier...). Following is the previously released "Get Yours". This track is not for the mild mannered or soft hearted. The beat is an old loop (not sure who used it first) revived by Show and lyrically destroyed by Big L and O.C. Big L's verse is one of my favourites, and O.C. gets nasty and extremely derogatory. They each bust a verse and then do a series of 4 bar exchanges (reminiscent of Run DMC). Dope (nuff said). The third installment is the previously released "Where ya at". This was the b-side of the "Get Yours" single. The vocalisms are provided by the deceased Big Pun (R.I.P.) and new comer Milano. This track is one of the weaker ones and could have been left off the album. The bouncy, repetitive production is lack luster and is not one of Show's strongest tracks. Number four is the previously released "Way of life" featuring Fat Joe and Big L. The music is similar to the Soundbombing track "B-boy Document '99" but is reshaped and reconfigured by Show. Big L and Fat Joe are in full form and the track is able to stand alone from its "Soundbombing" cousin. Track five is the underground anthem and first release as the D.I.T.C collective, "Day One". This song reworks an old Pete Rock interlude from the "Main Ingredient" album. However the vocals put it in a class all its own as all vocal members (except Fat Joe) contribute to this verbal elixir. The one complaint I have is that the master mix of it is shitty! (Check how the track comes in...)

"Hey Luv" is the first "new" song on the album. Lord Finesse rolls out the musical red carpet for Milano and Cuban Linx to represent. Although at first the song might appear to be a loving anthem to the females, it turns out to be an explicit depiction of the previous. Milano gets raw and Cuban Linx flows in standard dizzying rapidfire style. The beat is somewhat dragging and non-eventful. "Foundation" is definitely going to be the next single (or b-side). The beat is a smooth groove and combines perfectly with the materialistic and flashy rhymes that Diamond, O.C., AG and Lord Finesse drop. The production has a light, fresh feeling that is bound to turn some ears. As AG would say "...what can I say Show ya did it again". "Champagne Thoughts" is a perfect complement to "Foundation". The Buckwild beat is catchy and bound to be popular. Using and old loop (Police Woman Theme by Johnny Gregory Orchestra) and combining O.C. to it works very well. O.C.'s verse is tight and a throw back to previous styles, but is it an edited verse??? Next is the track you will buy the album for. "Ebonics (Remix)" by Big L. The DJ Premier production is top shelf and definitely one of his personally prized beats. The choppy chorus change ups are classic and the track reminds me of "Mathematics" by Mos Def. The Big L, DJ Premier combo needs no critique and the track is the shit. Period.

"Drop it heavy" comes in behind with the refreshing perspective of KRS ONE that is perfectly timed in the current hip hop atmosphere. There is no problem in the verbal area of this track but the beat confuses me. Was this not on the "Full Scale EP" that Show and AG released back in '98??? If so the beats are new and Show delivers a solid remix.

Track 11 is another previously released track on the b-side of the "Internationally Known" single. "Da Enemy" is the Big L/Fat Joe one,two punch to the NYPD's grill. Big L's verse is one of his best and the combo with Fat Joe exposes police brutality and bites back. The DJ Premier beat is SMOKIN'!!! "Stand Strong" is the next installment and it confuses me the same way "Drop it heavy" does. The vocals are the "Dignified Soldiers" vocal tracks with a new beat and chorus arrangement. The Show produced beat proves to be rather boring and unmoving. Why not just release the "Dignified Soldiers" track, and if not then make the "remix" better than the original? The vocals are tight like suction though...

The electro funk vibe of "Weekend Nights" is a new and atypical contribution to the album. The "reunion" of Show and AG is vintage and each bring it back together to complement each other's strengths flawlessly. Tracks like this show why AG was born to be an emcee. Next is an "album only" remix of the new single "Thick". Instead of the production being navigated by DJ Premier (as the original), this musical masterpiece is sculpted by Rockwilder. The clubby, electronic groove sends shockwaves through you and shines a new light on the vocals. Instead of the deep, driving DJ Premier beat, this is an upbeat, bouncy complement, which is as good if not better than it's predecessor. Finally, to end off the album is "Tribute" which is self explanatory. With the passing of Big L and Big Pun this reflects the saddened introspective side of the D.I.T.C. crew. This is evident in the vocals of O.C.,AG and Lord Finesse. Lord Finesse's verse is especially gripping as he bids farewell to the fallen soldier Big L in a touching, sombre memoir. The jazzy groove and production by Ahmed suits the moody tone of the track.

The approach to this album seems like a no-lose situation. The only thing that D.I.T.C. may fall victim to is their own hype. This type of collaboration has the listener expecting "godly" results and anything less than that could turn the fans off and disappoint them. In closing I have a few disappointments. Since there is already 9 previously released songs on the album why not include "Dignified Soldiers", "Themes, Schemes and Dreams" and "Internationally Known" to the roster? However,if this was done to protect the integrity of the 12"vinyl singles then I have to say that I appreciate the fact that these tracks were not included on the album (long live vinyl).

In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this album to both long time and newly hooked fans. The content of the album will not disappoint, it's PHAT! The only people who may not be interested in buying the album are the DJ's. If you have all the singles, you will be spending $20.00 for only 6 new songs which is not very enticing. The people that have never heard of D.I.T.C. must buy this album though, this type of collaboration is biblical and not doing so is blasphemous!!!