Should have said this long ago

Mick Boogie presents "AND Justus For All" the last Little Brother album that will feature production of any kind from 9th wonder. So before the debate begins about if the group will sink or swim without 9th's beats, let's enjoy this last project. Besides ITS FREE!. No two sweeter words to jaded music fans cheapskate ears. Let me repeat this again. This album is 100% on that buy one get one tip at Sam Goody, except you ain't gotta buy S*%#! what could be better?

To me the best song on the album is the "Let it go remix", originally featured on the groups last mixtape with DJ DRAMA. This time though Talib spits a verse along with Mos Def. Phonte, Pook and 9th are on the top of their game, and to me this track alone allows this trio to ride off into the sunset with my respect. The group samples Jay-Z's "Bring it on" from "Reasonable Doubt" on a track with the same name. Ray Cash is a guest on this track, and despite popular belief he is more than a serviceable mc. Before you judge Ray listen to him on "pay Back" which was featured on his last album.

For Little Brother featuring artists on tracks with the lyrically diabolical duo is only a sign of things to come. I personally have mixed feelings about this. Its great to hear Talib, Ray Cash and others rap along side Pooh and Phonte, however part of what made them great was that only Phonte, Pooh, or another member of Justus League had verses on tracks. The fact that they kept everything so in house was respectable to me. They also did it in a fashion unlike the widely accepted marketing strategy of todays crews. The Justus League artists promoted themselves with their own lyrical content and skill. If you liked them great, if not then your loss. You weren't told who was rapping with a voice over from a screaming Camron (e.g. J.R. Writer), and you never heard 9th yelling over his beats with cliched DJ vernacular (E.G. DJ Clue, Funk Flex, even my man Drama). AZ is also featured on the album and because I am a big fan of his, I risk appearing hypocrtitcal as my personal bias keeps me from seeing any problem here whatsoever. Its about time AZ got some real shine although I doubt it will come from getting on this album. Still its nice to know he's still alive.

If you heard Chitlin Circuit, Connected (Foreign Exchange), Minstel Show, or any of their tracks for Okay Player this album might leave you wanting more, especially since its the last interaction 9th will have with the group. In the end it does its job though. Folks its a mixtape, its purpose by nature is to generate interest in an upcoming project, while not bringing out every trick up an artists sleeve. The next Album "The Get Back" will not feature 9th, people will be even more interested simply to see if the group falls on their face or not without him. So with that said "And Justus for all" gets the job done.

In my opinion the album by no means is their best work, but I still appreciate it nonetheless, cuz simply put its better than most music out now. Yet another testament to what the group was all about. To quote Joe Scudda on "Lovin It", " Cuz our worst days we better than your best year". Their myspace page has two places you can download the album. Feel free to choose which suits you best