The Bottom Line

Issue date: 9/13/06 Section: Music

Ghostface's latest album, Fishscale demonstrates that he still has the skills to compete with the best rappers of today. His jumble of colorful wordplay, honed into a sharp edge of drug-game narratives, neighborhood stories, honeyed pimp talk and bravado raw enough to melt minds is all the evidence you need to see how Ghost has gotten better with age. Backing him up are familiar partners-in-rhyme Raekwon, Cappadonna, and Trife all accompany Ghost along with a surprising squad of underground producers that includes Just Blaze, Pete Rock, and the late J-Dilla. MF Doom brings his indie production to the tracks "Clipse of Doom" and "Underwater". Don't be fooled by the first single, "Back Like That" which features R&B newcomer Ne-Yo. The track is good but in no way does that give you a fair indication of the rest of Fishscale. On "Shakey Dog", Ghostface may be at his all time best. Lewis Parker makes great use of an old school sample allowing Ghost to rhyme for over 3 minutes without a hook. If anyone thought Ghostface lost his swagger, they will quickly be awakened by his fifth solo effort. With lyricism at its best, Ghosts lays a foundation of high expectations for New York to live up too.

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