You know you're in for quite a journey when the opening cut on an album is a piece informing you that Trip-hop is nothing but a figment of your imagination. Then again, you know you're in for quite a journey whenever you put Kool Keith and Kutmaster Kurt together. Add the extremely talented, often underappreciated Motion Man into the mix, and you've got the Masters Of Illusion.

All of the production is handled by Kutmaster Kurt of the Funky Rednecks. His style is definitely out there, but is anyone surprised for a longtime Keith collaborator? On this album, the beats range from minimalist pieces such as the Kool Keith solo track "U Want Freestyle," to much more involved rhythms with extensive layering such as the organs and bells over the kicks and snares of "Magnum Be I."

I probably don't need to talk any more about Keith's lyrics. He sticks to his super-abstract, borderline insane lyrics. He's still one of the most clever lyricists in the game though. Motion Man is also an incredible lyricist, as he proves on his solo cuts, "Magnum Be I," and "Call The National Guard."

Right from the start, you're blessed with "Masters Of Illusion." The heat continues with "We All Over," and "U Want Freestyle?" "The Bay-Bronx Bridge" will take listeners back to the era of the Ultramagnetic MCs. "Call The National Guard" returns to looking forward, along with "Partnas Confused," "Souped Up" and "Urban Legends." As usual, they also provide a bonus track, "Silk Suit, Black Linen" after the smoothed out "Let Me Talk To You."

Once again, Keith and Kurt do not disappoint. This is a solid album beginning to end, and the addition of Motion Man only allows those of us waiting to finally hear him on a full length. This is not an album for the clubs, but fans of quality hip-hop will stay bobbing their heads.