Ying Yang Twins United State Of Atlanta CD

Like Outkast, the Ying Yang Twins are progenitors of southern hip-hop that's a mix of gangsta rap, party jams, and jittery beats, and on UNITED STATE OF ATLANTA the Ying Yang Twins approach the game like a house party thrown in a recording studio. For starters, the wide variety of guests popping up throughout this 70-minute-plus project adds a feeling of randomness, recklessness, and fun. Neo-soul crooner Anthony Hamilton provides some honeyed vocals on the gospel-flavored "Long Time," and Maroon 5's Adam Levine holds his own on the electro-funk of "Live Again," with its nod to the travails of exotic dancers. There's also plenty of support from Dirty South brethren such as Mike Jones & Mr. Collipark (on "Badd"), and tough gal Jacki-O (on the DMX-flavored "Hoes"). The interspersed skits comment on a range of topics: "We at War" touches on the seriousness of America's foreign policy, while things get quite a bit raunchier on bits like "Sex Therapy 101," "102" and "103."

Guest Incl.Lil Jon/Pitbull/ A.Hamilton/3-6 Mafia/Maroon 5

Recording information: Casa Grande, Miami, FL; Chopper City Studios, New Orleans, LA; ColliPark Studio, Atlanta, GA; Darkside Entertainment, Miami, FL; D-Roc's Crib, Atlanta, GA; Hoodstyle Recording Studio; Larrabe North Recording Studios, N. Hollywood, CA; Patchwerk Recordings, Atlanta, GA; Stankonia Recording, Atlanta, GA; Studio 7303, Houston, TX; Studio A Recording, Inc., Dearborn Heights, MI; The BAt Cave; The Cutting Room Studios, New York, NY; the Record Plant, Hollywood, CA; The Swishahouse, Houston, TX; The Zone Studios, Norcross, GA.

Editor: Joel Mullis.

Photographer: Michael Blackwell.

Personnel: Ying Yang Twins; Miranda Lee Kenady (vocals); Craig Love (guitar); Mister Jonz (keyboards); Da Muzicianz, Free, Jacki-O , Adam Levine, Lil Jon, Lil Scrappy, Mike Jones , Missy Elliott, Pitbull, Anthony Hamilton, Avant, B.G., Three 6 Mafia, Teedra Moses, Homebwoi, Countrie Biggz, Anwar, Bun B, Busta Rhymes.

Audio Mixers: John Frye; Joel Mullis; Jonathon "Lil' Jon" Smith; Patrick Viala; Ray Seay; Billy Hume; Brian Stanley .

Spin (p.104) - "[They] throw a deliriously twerked, end-of-days house party with swinging Henry Mancini samples..." - Grade: B