Dj U-Neek Ghetto Street Pharmacist CD

As the producer of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, DJ U-Neek established himself as a savvy hip-hop mastermind, able to balance commercial sensibilities with a street attitude. This was most evident on Bone Thugs' 1995 album, E 1999 Eternal, which boasted "Crossroads." It took DJ U-Neek four years to break out on his own with Ghetto Street Pharmacist, a record that confirms his producing skills yet sounds a little dated. Like many albums by producers, it showcases style over content, trying a few too many things at once. Since U-Neek doesn't rap, he has an ever-rotating cast of guest artists taking the mic, concentrating on artists he's developing. He doesn't really give these rappers their own sound, so thankfully they distinguish themselves with their rhyming styles, most of which are pretty good. At its best, Ghetto Street Pharmacist plays like a good mixtape, one where the music flows naturally from one song to the next. Still, it's curiously underwhelming as a whole. If anything, U-Neek doesn't try enough different styles, sticking a little too close to the pop-flavored hardcore of Bone Thugs, which sounds outdated in 1999. When he shake things up, though, his true skills shine through. He does shake things up often enough to keep Ghetto Street Pharmacist interesting, but not quite enough to keep it constantly compelling. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Recorded at U-Neek's Workshop, Los Angeles, California.

Personnel: Menenski, Cold 187um, Dekumpozed, Dresta Tha Gansta, E.W.F., Gemini, Jagg, Jagwarr, Krayzie Bone, L-Jay, Layzie Bone, Lei Callaway, Lethal, Nytowl, Sheeba Black, Squeek-Ru, Sy Smith, The Jaz, KingPin Family, Topp Notch, Big Bone, Big Chan, Big Lurch (rap vocals).

Personnel includes: DJ U-Neek, Dresta Tha Gangsta, Cold 187, The KingPin Family, L-Jay, Jagg, Gemini, Dekumpozed of NX, Big Bone, Big Lurch, E.W.F., Sneek, Lazie Bone, Lethol, Big Chan, Squeak RU, Sheeba Black, Jaz, NytOwl, Maneski, Lei Callaway, Topp Notch, Jagwarr.

Additional personnel: Sneek, Bizzy Bone (rap vocals).