LUV NY – LUV NY

'Supergroup' album projects tend to fall into two categories. Either they are a space for self-indulgent experimentation, or they see the participants phoning in contributions only to hold back their best for their own projects. There's certainly not much experimentation on LUV NY – producer Ray West's crate of sampled breaks often carries an authenticity and familiarity that recalls the best of silver age hip-hop.

Some of these tracks have a timeless feel, while others are bland stragglers. Lyrically, the all-star lineup of Kool Keith, Roc Marciano, AG and OC from the Diggin' In The Crates, and Kurious are on point. KK in particular flips weird imagery and extravagant boasts that manage to evoke both the Octagon and Ultramagnetic eras. Conceived as a love letter to the New York hip-hop scene of the past, this is a nostalgic trip that will appeal to purists and hip-hop dads, but it breaks absolutely no new ground.