The Roc Files, Vol. 1 (Vinyl 2 LPS 2003) [Explicit Lyrics] Original Pressing

The Roc Files, Vol. 1 is an 11-track collection of tracks taken from Roc-a-Fella releases from the late '90s and early 2000s. The label is built on Jay-Z's records and it is no surprise that his cuts are the best here. His "It's Alright" (from Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life) kicks off the disc with an angry, powerful punch to the gut that dissipates quickly as tracks by second-tier rappers like Beanie Sigel, Freeway, and the stiff Memphis Bleek meander past. The label's lame contemporary R&B vocal groups also drag the disc down: Rell's "Love for Free" is an overly smooth ballad with an incongruous Jay-Z rap pasted in, while the sappy duo Christión are represented by two weak cuts. Only when "Always Be My Sunshine," a classic track from Jay-Z's In My Lifetime that features smooth vocals from Blackstreet and tough commentary from Foxy Brown, comes on does the disc come back to life. "The City Is Mine" is the other Jay-Z track and is an excellent slice of grandiose self-mythologizing that puts the other rappers on the label to shame. What this disc really does is prime the pump for a Jay-Z best-of disc. That will be an essential collection for anyone who even has a passing interest in hip-hop and rap. This collection is certainly not essential and serves to point out that Jay-Z is a much better player than manager. ~ Tim Sendra

Condition:NEW. Brand New Factory Sealed

TRACK LISTINGS

Disc 1
Side A:
1. It's Alright
2. The Truth
3. Roc the Mic

Side B:
1. Memphis Bleek Is...
2. Love for Free
3. My Mind Right

Disc 2
Side A:
1. Full of Smoke
2. Always Be My Sunshine
3. I Wanna Get Next to You

Side B:
1. The City Is Mine
2. What You Think of That