Saying that showed a great deal of artistic growth between his first and second solo albums would be a understatement. While 1989/1990's was a decent, if uneven, debut, 's second solo album, is an amazingly eclectic gem that finds him really pushing himself creatively. Between those two albums, joined and left , which evolved into one of the most distinctive rap groups of the 1990s. While 's albums thrived on wildness for its own sake, has a much more introspective and serious tone. , who was born with a heart defect, was in the process of recording the album when he needed life-saving open-heart surgery; in fact, he was lucky that he was around to see completed and released. Though not without its share of hardcore b-boy rap, also finds playing acoustic guitar, doing some singing, and exploring folk-rock, Memphis soul, and heavy metal. As a singer, has a relaxed style that sounds a bit like . "Today (Watch Me Shine)," "Ends," and "What It's Like" venture into / territory, while "Hot to Death" is blistering metal with industrial touches. And the plot thickens -- on "The Letter," he raps over a jazz-influenced piano. Given how rap's hardcore tends to frown on rappers crossing over to rock, it took guts for to be so diverse. But it's a good thing that he did, for his risk-taking pays off handsomely on this outstanding release. ~ Alex Henderson