Brace 4 Impak [PA] by Da Beatminerz (CD, Jun-2002, Rawkus Records)

The Beat Minerz are constantly under the radar and are far from commercial; however, their talent and knack for finding rare material is their greatest legacy in the underground Hip Hop scene. A stark contrast to the Neptunes, another famed Hip Hop production team, the Beat Minerz stray away from all things pop and cliche and focus their energies on creating an authentic Hip Hop sound.

Whether it's their hard-hitting basslines, DJ Evil Dee's scratches or a really cool sample they infuse, the Beat Minerz are consistent with bringing their unique sound to the masses. Their artistic credibility adds to their appeal; it also helped them to recruit artists such as Pete Rock, Royce Da 5'9 and Busta Rhymes to participate on the project. The additional production by Chocolate Ty, Rich Blak and Baby Paul helps add new flavor as well.

What is most noteworthy is that the Beat Minerz are not afraid to experiment and take risks. "Open" is an R&B track that features both Pete Rock and UK crooner Caron Wheeler (formerly of Soul2Soul). Considering their notoriety for working making the grittiest, yet melodic music, "Open" was an unexpected addition to the album. Another inventive track is "Ghetto 2 Ghetto," which is inspired by the music from pioneering Hip Hop film Wild Style; however, rather than simply copy and paste, the updated production brings the track to the new millennium without causing it to lose its essence. Lastly, Naughty By Nature's "Thug Love" reinvents a sample used by Kool G Rap for his hit "My Life." Again, the revamped sample introduces a new sound, but while keeping its historical context.

The interludes/skits are sometimes entertaining and they provide a welcome shift between songs; however, they don't always effectively connect the songs to each other. While the interludes/skits often help to introduce the songs, some are randomly placed and disjointed from the album's core. Still, this doesn't hurt the overall quality of the project. The Beat Minerz' beats hit so hard, the album's title is completely relevant. Of course, many fans will want the Beat Minerz to keep pushing "more of the same," but this will only stifle their creative edge. If a listener wants only a "Who Got Da Props" (Black Moon) sound, this album isn't for you. Although, if a listener wants to hear something eclectic and still rugged Hip Hop, this is right your alley.