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	Vol.7, No 11, September 16, 1999
	Mr. Mike comes through By Wes Woods II Daily Forty-Niner "Rhapsody," Mr. Mike's sophomore album, is a solid piece of work.  The Priority Records artist paints audio pictures of urban Texas life in his 15 track release.  "Rhapsody" consists primarily of smooth, synthesizer-based beats and Mr. Mike's loud, Southern drawl that is reminiscent of former labelmate MJG. His conversational style covers gangs, guns and drugs mixed in with social commentary. The album, however, starts slowly with the title track. Despite Mr. Mike's confident and booming vocals, his verbal effort is wasted by the uninteresting instrumental. His current, futuristic sounding single "Texas 2000" does put the album back on track with its thumping bassline and sneaky keyboard that moves in and out of the mix. "Why Fall In Love With The Struggle" has a bouncy, west-coast flavored instrumental with Mack 10 where both describe how to make it through life.  "Play the Cards I Was Given" features a more polished sounding Ras Kass as the two trade one liners. Ras Kass has the best lines of the disc with his "Do unto others before they do unto you and Iím monogamous to my girl because she don't know I'm f----------- you.'  Mr. Mike, despite bragging about how he will "come through in the clutch," doesnít. He uses well-known lines from other artists (such as Snoop) and doesnít have anything to say.  One misstep was "Every Time I Close My Eyes," which has a surprisingly decent attempt at singing by Mr. Mike before rapping.  Unfortunately, the R & B feel of the song seems like an obvious attempt at radio play and doesnít work.  Overall, "Rhapsody" is Mr. Mike used to be on the Suave House record label with the group South Circle but left because he wanted to leave the label for various reasons, said Jackie Osae-Asare, a Priority Records public relations employee.		CSU raises admission standards Students mingle with employers High Schoolers focus of new bill Bookstore sales up despite Web stores Bill to keep guns from mentally unstable Assembly bill may reduce area code confusion Cultural center celebrates diversity on campus Police need policing Out-of-wedlock birth decline at what cost Mr. Mike comes through Magic wins with 'Thuggin' High school ballers show off their skills Coach Gimmillaro looking forward to challenge Best of the West face-off at USC Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.