Eastern Conference: All Stars III

They Say...

Review by M.F. DiBella, All Music Guide

The Eastern Conference imprint shored up its lineup on this full-fledged flavor free for all. Presented by Philly underground session heads High & Mighty and High Times Records, this is the first volume of the series not released on the failed venture that was Rawkus. Past volumes featured the handiwork of such underground venerables as Eminem (whom the label vehemently despises), Mad Skillz, Kool Keith, Pharoahe Monch, and Mos Def. Hip-hop hash and herb heads will find a variety of high grades on this compilation as artists like Mr. Eon (of High & Mighty), Cage, Copywrite, Tame One (formerly of the Artifacts), R.A. the Rugged Man, and Kool G Rap push the East Coast's rugged brand of syllable-flipping with a barrage of head-spinning flows. Though psychotropic drugs and skullduggery seem to be this unit's main mantras, there's no denying the crew's ready wit and plentiful prowess in its practice of a dying art form. Virtually any cut measures up with the underground's best of the modern era; Tame One's "Dreamz," Copywrite's "Jeah," and Smut Peddlers' "Bart Blunt vs. Sherm Penn" are exceptional examples of the album's many guilty pleasures. The emergent skills of the Columbus, OH, native Copywrite are truly standout here, including such gutbusting filth as "Competitors are slain by this intelligent gunner/Quick to pop the trunk like an elephant hunter." Also of note, the album features an unreleased original version of High & Mighty's "Last Hit" featuring their nemesis, Slim Shady.