Heavy D always favored laid-back grooves, championing their easy flow during the days when the Bomb Squad ruled. Ten years later, when gangstas all roll to moked-out beats, Hev sounds as fresh as he ever has with his seventh album,
Heavy. There really isn't anything new here, apart from the occasional production flourish (such as "You Know," with its glorious skittering rap and rhythm), but the legions of producers (including
Heavy himself,
the Ummah and
Erick Sermon) have given the album an appealing modern sheen which guarantees that it sounds like 1999 instead of 1989. On top of it all,
Heavy D continues to prove that he has an original, graceful delivery -- he makes it all seem easy, and that's why his music is still appealing. True,
Heavy isn't a startling record, but it is a solid, entertaining listen from one of the most reliable artists in hip-hop. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine