The Pretty Toney Album

fields questions from reporters on the intro to , the rapper's first under the just- moniker and his first on . According to the intro, are doing fine and waiting for the right moment to drop their next album, and it's none of your business why took so long to come out. That's about all wants to say about any of the drama surrounding the album. With tracks this good, who can blame him for the "let's get to it" attitude? has a lack of -related references on it. It's 's album entirely and all the better for it. It's partly a party album like 2001's , but freer, more inspired, and tempered with pure street tracks that were missing last time round. Perhaps feeling the lack of hood interest for his last album, puts a handful of 's hardest tracks at the beginning as if he's ready to prove something right away. The best of the lot, could be the theme for any aspiring mack, but the rest are very good, suffering a bit from being laid out one after another. The sleazy has the repeat-play value of a porno movie, but it brings on the lighter and more rewarding part of the album. is a bumpy and fun production and another great singalong from the rapper. Don't expect a ton of chemistry between and , but their is a hedonistic, club-aimed highlight with both in top form on their own. connects much better with the man on one of two great productions from and first of the three solid tracks that finish the album. The chaotic and the sentimental laundry list of beloveds on finish the album on a high note, but there's something missing. Rumor has it wouldn't pony up the dough and clear samples for the tracks that didn't make the album. Songs the rapper has posted on his own website and mixtapes like 's or the MC's own (released under his original moniker) tell the whole story. Get them all and you might be able to piece together a classic album. comes close, very close, and puts the man's solo career back on solid ground. ~ David Jeffries