Kiss of Death

The most startling thing about Kiss of Death is that Jadakiss dumped a bunch of Neptunes productions and kept only "Hot Sauce to Go," one of the record's poorest tracks. This, along with a particularly ill-suited "soft and smooth track for the ladies" featuring a carted-in Mariah Carey as well as a too-familiar-sounding Scott Storch production, is thankfully the only outright blights on an otherwise satisfactory showing. These issues aside, Jadakiss makes good on his promise to become a rounded lyricist and receives some valuable help in the form of tight production work from a handful of pros -- surprisingly enough, Swizz Beatz's work on "Real Hip Hop" tops anything that producer did for Cassidy's debut, and the Red Spyda-manned title track (bizarrely tucked near the end) is Jadakiss' most vicious track yet. No matter the number of bright moments, you can't help but feel that Jadakiss has his best days ahead of him. For further proof, listeners looking to go deeper are strongly advised to seek out The Champ Is Here, a teaser mix presented by Big Mike and Green Lantern. Provided you can stomach the Will Smith version of Cassius Clay proclaiming "The champ is here!" about every 30 seconds (Jada's cackle could've been kept in check a little more, too), you should find that it's actually superior to this fine record. ~ Andy Kellman

D・ブロックのアルバムも出したばかりのジェイダキスが、待望のソロ2作目をドロップ!　とにかく参加メンツの豪華さが刺激的な音に直結していて、ネイト・ドッグが参加した話題の先行シングル“Time's Up”や、ハヴォック（モブ・ディープ）制作の“Why”、オーセンティックなサウンドとマライア・キャリーの艶っぽい歌声が絶妙なスコット・ストーチ作の“U Make Me Wanna”など注目曲の連発!　西からはDJクイックのトラックにスヌープが参加、ファレルはパーカッシヴなネプ音で絡み、カニエ・ウェストも彼流を押しきったビートで期待を裏切らない。終盤にはアトランティック・スター“Secret Lovers”を下敷きにした曲もあり、極めつけはスタイルズ、シークにエミネムを迎えた“Welcome To D-Block”!!　とにかくツボを押さえまくった楽曲揃いで、これを聴かずして今年のヒップホップの何がわかる?と言いたいくらいマストなのです。
bounce (C)富山 陽一