Now four volumes old, Hidden Beach's
Unwrapped series takes another crack at a bunch of hip-hop hits, both old and recent, in the form of smooth jazz interpretations. Since neither
Patrice Rushen nor
Jeff Lorber are involved with this set, some of the appeal is lost, but the musicians involved here do give it their all and provide very skilled and often imaginative spins on the likes of
Slick Rick's "Children's Story,"
Chubb Rock's "Treat 'Em Right,"
the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight,"
Kid 'N Play's "Rollin' with Kid 'N Play,"
Terror Squad's "Lean Back,"
50 Cent's "Candy Shop," and
the Game's "Hate It or Love It." As with the past volumes, it will take no more than a 30-second sampling to determine whether or not you will want to hear it again. ~ Andy Kellman