The Last Stand [PA] (CD - 2006)

Audio Mixer: Kieran Walsh.

Recording information: CDR Studio'z, NY, NY; The Dewgarde Crib Of Hits, Bk Jeratmanyang, NY.

Bringing it back posse-style for the Duck Down crew, the rarely-spotted Boot Camp Clik--a Brooklyn-based hip-hop supergroup featuring Smif-n-Wessun, O.G.C., Buckshot, Heltah Skeltah, and Sean Price--returned in 2006 with THE LAST STAND, the group's third album since 1997. Awash in slow and mid-tempo tracks emblazoned with the dusty, cut-up R&B samples of NYC's '90s heyday, Boot Camp rolls thick through piano drops and sparely framed tracks, rapping about money, women, and street pride. Though they occasionally have to pace themselves, they are well-served with studio work by Pete Rock ("1-2-3"), Da Beatminerz ("...But Tha Game is Still the Same"), and 9th Wonder ("So Focused"), as well as several promising tracks from young upstart Marco Polo. minimize