XLR8R

If you're into the Ugly Duckling school of feel-good backpacker rhymes and stellar production, then you'll love this record. The funky beats bang on "Motivate," an uptempo party rocker with happy raps, excellent scratches and some nicely flipped Kane and Kool Keith samples. The flipside's "Organic Chemistry" is nothing short of gorgeous, with jazz horns and pianos to get you all sentimental. If you have to live in hip-hop's past, 1992's not a bad choice.