Live and Let Fly

A mere glance at DJ.Fresh’s extensive discography reveals a who’s who of hip-hop greatness, covering a wide range of rappers, from respected Bay Area mainstays to national gems like Curren$y and Jay Worthy. Reaching from coast to coast, the Oakland-based producer now taps Bronx spitter The Musalini for a full-length collaboration. Its title a nod both to Bond films and a Kool G Rap classic, *Live and Let Fly* combines sleek beats with lifestyle rhymes. While obvious commonalities exist between this album and the *Tonite Show* don’s other recent releases, the dozen songs contained within stand out thanks to the two artists’ cohesive interplay. The Musalini’s laidback delivery over the soul-powered boom-bap cut “Polo Scarf” and the quiet storm-informed “Red Eye” enhance the cinematic nature of the project. To that end, guests like Denver’s own O FINESS on the title track and veteran MC Planet Asia on “Players Ball” help make it a movie worth revisiting again and again.