Leave it to DJ Mighty Mi to compile a crate of quality underground hip-hop for the second volume in High & MightyÂ’s Eastern Conference Allstars compilation series. The latest chapter in whoÂ’s crew with Eon and Milo brings a wide variety of artists, from old pros (Big Daddy Kane , Kool Keith ) to next-to-blows (Royce Da 5-9 , Copywrite); and from some of hip-hopÂ’s most consistent artists (Jurassic 5 , Evidence ) to those who have over-extended their welcome (ahem).

From the jump, the door is kicked down with CopywriteÂ’s “Leading Off” intro, and then entering the Alchemist blessed Smut PeddlersÂ’ rape and pillage of the memorable “Red Light”. In tradition, the High & Mighty team up with a number indy mainstays, showing a wide versatility in production and style, whether itÂ’s the perverse sounds of “Homecoming Queen” with R.A. The Rugged Man or old skool throwbacks such as “That’s What’s Up” (feat. Last Emperor ). Between Milo and Reef, they show their diversity as a production team, lacing artists like Royce The 5Â’9 (“Nickle Nine Is”) with beats so gangsta they would make Jay-Z proud, while in the same breath fashioning tracks for underground heroes like Jurassic 5 (“Breadwinner”), Evidence (“Emergency”), and Kool Keith (“Thug Or What”), in their own respective styles – the latter lot produced so well, one would think that Cut Chemist , Evidence, and Kutmasta Kurt were overlooking them in the studio.

Meanwhile, the home team also shines brightly, most of all when huddled for the posse cut, “E.C. Allstars”, where everyone gets their chance to step up to the plate. The rookie season also looks promising for new E.C. artists, such as Copywrite, who explodes onto the scene with the RJD2 produced banger, “Fuck Soundcheck”, as well as for Tame One, who takes charge of flipping Slick RickÂ’s “Moment I Feared”, (much better than Tricky ever did, by the way.)

The compilation isnÂ’t perfect though, as some tracks are better than others. Each “Pressure Time” (Skillz ) and “Tonight’s The Night” (High & Mighty) arenÂ’t the best representations of these artists, and one would think that they would use their spots on this compilation to come with the hottest shit possible. While Cage does clean up after them, repping E.C. well on “Crowd Killa”, there are still some other strange selections, such as Lord SearÂ’s classic-yet-odd “Fake Thug Theme”, Pretty UglyÂ’s sleepy “The Struggle”, PacewonÂ’s “All Get Bye” (more blah-blah, than rah-rah), or Big Daddy KaneÂ’s big disappointment, “Jump Off”.

But seeing that you canÂ’t please all of the people all of the time, many listeners are going to like most of this album, but everyone will have their own opinions which tracks are its best, and which get the fast-forward treatment. While it not as clearly focused or defined as a High & Mighty or Smut Peddlers album, there are tracks on it that everyone will enjoy, and enough material to start arguments over which ones are best.