Various Artists Nature Sounds Presents Natural Selection

• Words: Jesse Serwer
• Label: Nature Sounds
• XLR8R Rating: /10

It looks like '06 is going to be a real breakout year for up-and-coming Brooklyn indie label Nature Sounds: Not only have they scored the next Pete Rock LP, but they also have the MF Doom and Ghostface collabo, Swift and Changeable, in the oven. Natural Selection provides a first look at these projects (Doom and Ghostface's "Angeles" is solid, yet slightly disappointing) and future releases, like the upcoming debut of L.A. supergroup Strong Arm Steady (whose "Gold Chain Music" appears here). The highlight, however, is "Ringin' Bells" from Masta Killa, who helped put Nature Sounds on the map with 2004's No Said Date.