Rawkus’ re-entry into the rap game (after a brief hiatus during the switch of distribution to MCA), comes in the form of Soundbombing 3, the third in their series of mix CD’s spotlighting their current roster, as well as the hot new shit for the coming months, in true mixtape fashion. This time sharing deejay duties are split between the Beat Junkies’  Mr. Choc and Funkmaster Flex’s right-hand man, Cipha Sounds.

If Soundbombing 3 represents the future of the label, the underground heads may as well go back and listen to Soundbombing 2 some more, because this disc simply isn’t for them. Rawkus head A&R Blak Shawn (the same cat responsible for the label’s first wave of classic 12″ singles), has definitely taken a more commercial route with this release, pumped up with solid remixes to already proven hits, in the form of Styles of the Lox and Pharaohe Monch’s new flip on Tribeca’s “The Life” , Kool G Rap’s “My Life Remix” (now featuring Capone-N-Noreaga) and “Round & Round (Remix)”, with three-amigos Method Man, Pharoahe Monch, and G. Rap each circle-jerking ’round Jonell. And the Skillz lead single “Crew Deep”, with its “Rapper’s Delight” sample (cleverly used, despite an easy lift), and official “hollas” from Missy Elliott that will piss off as many people as it pleases.

Granted, taking this as a commercial release rather than an underground one, it has a more blahzay self-image, as the mixes are haphazardly thrown together New York-style, rather than the deep-dish blends provided by DJ J-Rocc and DJ Babu on it’s predecessor. (Note: the blends and turntable tricks are here - but not nearly sewn together with the tailored precision of the last one.) Another issue is that the quality of the joints on this release overall does not match the classics of Rawkus’ past. Watching Mos Def attempt at creating something suited for the Tunnel Banger’s Ball is strange enough (“Freak Daddy”), if Talib Kweli rhyming over a smooth DJ Quik track doesn’t throw you for a complete curve ball already. Not to mention stranger selections from The Beatnuts (“The Trouble Is…”), and Cocoa Brovaz (“Spit Again”), which just aren’t quite up to par, which is especially atypical for a label that has such a great reputation for quality control.

On the up and up, the reflective outro “On The Block” by R.A. The Rugged Man is well done, as are some of these same themes revisited on Skillz and Novel’s “They Don’t Flow”. Despite some syrupy crooning, the song delivers an ironic “they don’t make ‘em like they used to message” about hip-hop, with itself choosing to conform, rather than hang onto the past. And of course you can’t go wrong with natural collaborations, such as either of Talib Kweli’s team-ups with The Roots, or Zap Mama and Common. And Q-Tip’s little freestyle, “What Lies Beneath” is a tasty, post-”Midnight” snack.

The main problem with SBIII is its lack of cohesion - is this a representation of the future of the label that once was a save-haven for backpack acts? This attempt at the commercialization of some of their original starting line-up is equally confusing as this release is as a whole.