Search - Various Artists :: New Jersey Drive, Vol. 1: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Benz or a Beamer

Shawn Dragann | New York, NY | 11/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The OutKast track on here is TIGHT. If you are an OutKast fan it is worth buying the soundtrack just for that song.



The rest of the soundtrack is really good too. I would recommend this disc to any hip-hop fan."

Grade A 90's Hip Hop Soundtrack {4 Stars}

Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 06/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With the movie and soundtrack successes of Boyz N' Da Hood, Juice, Menace II Society, and other urban flavored movies, the hip hop movie soundtrack explosion of the 90's came on strong. It even got to a point where there were a few terrible movies released for the sole purpose of having a soundtrack released along with them (Phat Beach, Tales From The Hood, etc...). Some were good, some were bad. Only a handful of them were great though. Despite what some will tell you, New Jersey Drive Vol. 1 is probably one of the best hip hop soundtracks to come out of the 90's. The gems on this joint are vintage 90's r&b/hip hop bangers. Tracks like "Ain't Nuttin' But Killin", "Through The Window", "Burn Rubber", "Check It Out", and "All About My Fetti" are strong cuts that could've and should've been singles. "Old Thing" holds up very well after all these years (wow, this album is 11 years old -- I feel like such a senior citizen now). Even the normally terrible Ill Al Skratch come off well on "Don't Shut Down On A Playa". Toss in a string of classic tracks like "Benz Or Beamer", "Can't You See", "Jersey", and "Where Am I?" and you'll have a virtually untouchable soundtrack on your hands.



Even though the strong tracks shine bright, there is a fair amount of filler to be found on this album. "Do What U Want" is nothing more than skip material from Blak Panta. "21 In The Ghetto", though very positive, is kind of hard to sit through because it's so boring. "Love Slave" from Undacova is straight up wack and Smooth's "One And Only" rehashes her hit from the Menace II Society soundtrack (actually, now that I look back, she made the same song over and over anyway). That's only four of seventeen tracks though. The rest is great.



New Jersey Drive Vol. 1 is probably one of the best hip hop soundtracks to come out of the 90's. The versatility of the lineup make this one of the most cohesive and balanced soundtracks in hip hop. Though there is a fair amount of filler, the classics found here make it a must have album. After you check this out, be sure to pick up Vol. 2 also. Even though it's a lot shorter than Vol. 1, it's just as dope. Two thumbs way up.



Standout Tracks: Where Am I?, Burn Rubber, Benz Or Beamer, Can't You See feat. The Notorious B.I.G., East Left, Don't Shut Down On A Playa, Jersey (My Favortie), Ain't Nuttin' But Killin', Old Thing, and Before I Let Go"