Amazon.comWith the G-funk low rider just around the corner, 1992's underground hip-hop classics were the last hurrah of a certain kind of celebratory lyrical explosion. Focusing on pure rap more than on pop crossovers--we get Naughty by Nature's "Guard Your Grill" rather than "O.P.P."--this volume specializes in chunky, funky grooves topped off by blistering, loopy flows. A Tribe Called Quest's flawless "Scenario" may be the only track hip-hop neophytes know, but the disc's almost all as dazzling, with gems by Grand Puba, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Double X Posse, and Black Moon that contributed catch phrases to urban diction. We're also treated to spectacular sleight-of-hand production from Main Source and Fu-Schnickens. You can jump to this, but it rewards headphone time, too. --Douglas Wolk