AZ

The Format, released in 2006, isn't one of AZ's strongest records The beats lean too heavily on uptempo soul loops, the hooks are rarely memorable and AZ seems rather uninspired as he runs through the reasons why he's one of New York's best. But that's not to say that there aren't some hot songs here. DJ Premier shows off his synth work on the hard-hitting title track, while the impassioned "I Am the Truth" and the grimy ghetto survey "Rise and Fall" hint at the emcee's former glory.