It's good to see a hip-hop crew that's just as solid at building grooves as taking care of the raps, especially for their debut album. Except for the usual guest shots (Master P., Montell Jordan, the Lox, Kurupt, Big Pun) and a few outside productions, the trio of Made Men -- Benzino, Antonio Twice Thou and Mr. Gzus -- burst out of the block with an excellent album. Most of the best tracks on Classic Limited Edition feature just Made Men; the trio on vocals plus production by Hangmen 3, essentially Made Men themselves. From the tough-talking bounce track "Keep It Movin" to the horn-and-strings on "Right Now," Made Men excel at producing tracks that balance the lyrics and raps perfectly. For the Master P. spotlight, "Is It You (Deja Vu)," the trio create a downtempo bounce track that's heavy on the groove. Other guest appearances -- Montell Jordan on "Sticky Situation," Wise Guys on "Drama Still" and Monifah & Queen Pen on "Not the One" -- show Made Men crafting productions that fit the guests well. It's a solid debut from a crew that undoubtedly have a bright future. [Classic Limited Edition is also available in a clean version, with all obscenities removed.] ~ Keith Farley, All Music Guide

REST73704

CD

Rap/hip Hop