Fire in the Hole [PA] (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Bernard Grobman (guitar).

Audio Mixer: Chris Conway.

Recording information: State Street Studios, Brooklyn, NY.

Photographers: Dennis Edwards; Seth Kushner.

Six years since Foundation, Brand Nubian settle on Babygrande -- home of Canibus and Jean Grae -- and return with Fire in the Hole. Lord Jamar and DJ Alamo remain on production duties, as ever, while Grand Puba chips in on one track. While plenty of MCs who thrived in the early '90s have attempted with great desperation to remain relevant, each member of this crew has remained true to himself, consistently refining the skills without hopelessly retracing old steps. Despite all the changes mainstream rap has gone through during the past several years, Brand Nubian have remained well outside of it all -- and they still do here, 15 years on, with a fifth album that will sit proudly next to the previous four. Few will ever refer to this as a classic, though even fewer will ever think of this as a poor showing. Graying veterans of the golden age and younger hip-hop junkies should be pleased to hear that the group is still active and in such good form. ~ Andy Kellman minimize