Self Sacrifice

One of hip-hop\'s most consistently solid independent labels/artist collectives, Mello Music Group has been putting out top-notch music since the mid-\'00s. Epitomized by breezy, sample-heavy production and down-to-earth, decidedly non-cliché lyricism, MMG\'s roster includes reliably dope artists like Oddisee, Apollo Brown, and yU, among many others. On this impressive compilation, they unleash an avalanche of golden era–inspired boom-bap, with quality assists from affiliates like OC (\"Prestige of a King\"), Black Milk (\"Ease Back\"), and Roc Marciano (\"Tuxedo\"). Undeniably likeable, it\'s loaded with relentlessly thick beats and quotable verses, with highlights such as the chilled-out \"Raw\" (featuring Kev Brown, Godly MC, and Toine), the flute-and-filter jam \"Protocol,\" and the space funk posse cut \"Soul Survivor\" starring Boog Brown, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and former PRT frontman Wise Intelligent. A fantastic collection showcasing many underground favorites, this is one of 2012\'s best releases.