Although this album does have several good songs, it is not without its shortcomings. The remix of "Luv 2 Luv U" is far and away the best track. I am not a big fan of remixes. I feel they usually ruin the creativeness of the first idea; but this remix was a great idea. "Luv 2 Luv U" is a very slow monotonous song with little appeal. The remix, however, is a great party song. It has a beat and rhythm fast enough to dance and nod your head to, and Timbaland & Magoo keep pace with their rhymes. This is one of the best remixes in a long time and my favorite song so far in '98. Timbaland & Magoo do however, fall a bit short with "15 After Da Hour" and "Clock Strikes." "15 After Da Hour" has a decent beat, but the lyrics lack any sense of creativity or smooth flow. "Clock Strikes" is my least favorite song, and they had to ruin it even more by remixing it worse later on the album. Whatever happened to the days of where you didn't remix a song until AFTER it was a hit?

Other than that, this album is a hit. "Luv 2 Luv U (remix)", "Up Jumps Da Boogie," "Smoke in Da Air," "Peepin' My Style," and "Joy" are all great songs. Timbaland & Magoo certainly offer you other good songs and beats, but these are the top five. Appearances by Missy Elliot, Ginuwine, and Aaliyah give you some added flavor on selected tracks. If you are sick of the same old sounds and the East-West squabble is getting to you, give these boys from Virginia a try.

Tim Reid: Any Given Day

Timbaland and Magoo: Welcome To Our World

[Issue Six // March 1998]