Take 'Em To The Cleaners

Consequence has a long history in the rap game. Arriving a whopping eight years after he first appeared on a record, 'Take 'Em To The Cleaners' is more a catch-up exercise than a debut album proper. As re-introductions go, it's hard to fault.

Consequence is Q-Tip's cousin and he guested on 6 tracks on A Tribe Called Quest's 'Beats, Rhymes and Life' album as well as the Lyricist Lounge Vol. 2 compilation. Consequence is also part of Kanye West's Kon Man Crew.

However, while 'Take 'Em To The Cleaners' is listed as a Consequence release, he plays a far smaller role than that implies: this is really Kanye West's album. Not only hosted by West, the lion's share of tracks are produced by him, some having appeared online and on his own mixtapes prior to the release of his lauded 'The College Dropout' album.

Kanye West is one of hip hop's most sought after producers, behind monster singles by Alicia Keys, Talib Kweli, Jay Z, Mos Def, D12, Dilated Peoples and Brandy, not to mention his sparkling solo career…

Highlights include opener 'So Soulful', with West at his kick n' snare poppin' best - his finest track not for Roc-A-Fella - brimming with the energy and effervescence of a late-summer classic; the 9th Wonder-produced 'I See Now', where Cons trades slick catcalls with Phonte [Little Brother]; and the Tribe re-release 'The Consequence' featuring Q-Tip.

'Take 'Em To The Cleaners' also features a roll call of heavy hitters, including Common, Kweli, Q-Tip, Little Brother, Jay Dee, 88 Keys and more. This is a seriously rockin' mixtape, following on from Ol' Dirty Bastard's 'Osirus mixtape'.