Urban Vibes is a compilation produced for the U.K. and Ireland markets by BMG International. While it includes U.S. hits such as
Pink's "Get the Party Started" and "Stan" from
Eminem, it mixes in material by artists who don't yet have a domestic foothold. After a first half that features the aforementioned superstars, as well as great songs from artists like
Busta Rhymes,
Outkast, and
Blu Cantrell (the fabulous "Hit 'Em Up Style [Oops!]"),
Urban Vibes throws in U.K.-centric acts like
Cassius and
Jimmy Cozier. The alternate low point/high point of the collection is
L'il Kim's jaw-dropping cover of the
Phil Collins classic "In the Air." Culled from a U.K.-only tribute to the pop singer, the track finds
Kim laying out a revenge/boasting fantasy over samples from the original song. It's nuts, and makes
Urban Vibes a solid purchase, since the tribute won't likely appear on these shores. Besides that,
Urban Vibes is a great way to procure a bunch of great singles at once -- just don't pay import prices, since that would negate the money you'd save.