Out of Business (Limited Edition)

Over the course of the ‘90s EPMD refined its sound, distilling their obese funk loops to straight-line rhythms, and the lethargic lyrical flows to tight verses. The duo created several new-era anthems, a handful of which are contained on their last album of the ‘90's, Out of Business. “Check 1, 2,” “Symphony,” and “Hold Me Down” are tough and tightly knit — they blend the best of old EPMD with tips gleaned from more recent masters like DJ Premier, whose chopping techniques reappear throughout the album. The only downside to the new EPMD style is that while powerful, it is sometimes too clean. The best moments of Out of Business are “Right Now” and “Jane 6,” which allow the bass to lay sloppy in the cut, like extra cheese and onions falling out the side of a grinder. As a bonus, the second disc contains a selection of the duo’s greatest hits. Those songs need no introduction — they are forever peculiar, forever potent, forever relevant.