Kool G Rap

Despite the fact that only two of the 14 songs included on Landspeed's Greatest Hits were cut by Kool G Rap after he severed ties with partner DJ Polo, DJ Polo gets no billing whatsoever on this compilation, though he is included in the photos in the inner sleeve. This perplexing compilation once again covers the same general 1988-1992 territory already revisited four times previously. It follows 1994's Killer Kuts, 1996's Rated XXX (more a compilation of the duo's most sex-drenched output than a proper best-of), 2000's The Best of Cold Chillin', and 2001's pairing of Road to the Riches and Wanted: Dead or Alive (which is confusingly subtitled "The Best of Cold Chillin'"). This particular disc is the way to go if the recent double-disc summations are too extensive and if you can't locate a copy of Killer Kuts, which has a better track selection. (A Kool G Rap & DJ Polo overview without "Operation CB" and "Wanted: Dead or Alive" is problematic.) The two decent tracks from Kool G Rap without Polo -- "Fast Life" (featuring Nas) and "For da Brothaz" -- are lifted from 1995's 4, 5, 6, so Roots of Evil is completely unrepresented. Each Kool G Rap & DJ Polo compilation has its gripes, and this one is obviously no different in that respect. However, there's no denying that Greatest Hits is a good quick fix, stocked with greatness. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide