(Editor’s Note: – No Rating: Compilation or Soundtrack)

After a string of hot 12″s, an album from Major League was in high demand. Matt Marcus, Virtuo, Sean Harris and the whole team were smart with their business plan. They kept the buzz going and growing stronger with each single, pleasing the underground, the streets and college radio. The Subway Series Volume 1 features some of the bangers they’re known for, along with more current works and tracks by their peoples coast to coast.

“Get Large” is an appropriate jump off as Lord Tariq, Masta Ace, Mr.Complex and Major League’s MVP – Tribeca, raise the stakes over an energetic beat guaranteed to clear the benches. Most known for his release “The Life” w/Pharaoh Monch (the highly jocked anthem, jacked by Styles P & Rawkus), Tribeca shines throughout this release. He overflows with superstar potential from giving you a first hand look at crooked cops on “City’s Finest” to making the term “spit flames” an understatement on “Throw Heat” with Doujah Raze. Tribeca’s delivery and ability to cleverly attack the streets with hard yet intelligent lyrics put him in a class of his own. Add that to his work behind the boards, which even further his diversity, and you have a total package hip-hop artist. “The Specialist” Kobaine makes sure the world won’t forget his name on “KO.Bain,” as he rips it up “party to party, back yard to yard.” The collab joints which gave Cash Brown a rep are included, as the mic gets murdered with Royce Da 5’9″ on “Double Homicide” and he knocks competition out on “Clubber Lang” with Ruck (Heltah Skeltah), Labba and 8Off Agallah. The remainder of the compilation racks up the frequent flyer miles, from Cali’s Rasco, Evidence (Dilated Peoples) and Defari’s “Major League” and Encore’s “It’s Time” (featuring a classic but slept-on beat by D-Tension), to Florida with RK’s “Let Me Rise,” and back up to NY as The Beatnuts and Al Tariq’s declare “Duck Season”

Major League’s first official step into the CD market is sure to please their followers and even gain them new fans. There’s something on here to make every true hip-hop listener proud and have heads nodding for a long time to come. The only downfall would be that most of these songs have been released and with strong performances by Tribeca and Kobaine you’re left wanting more. Hopefully the wait for their next album won’t be as long. With an equal love for spots and rap, Major League is locking the pennant down for NY and Subway Series Volume 1 can best be described as the All-Star Game.