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Amazon.com There's no easier way to blur the line between hardcore hip-hop and polished urban dance grooves than to mix it up together--add a deeper funk to the ballads and a stronger melody to support the raps and see what happens. Snoop Dogg's gone from the 'hood to the lounge. "Hi 2 You" is Snoop distancing himself from his Death Row Records days, emphasizing a silky delivery with modest backbeats. Late-night smoothie Eric Benet is spiking his image with the edgy, driving rhythm of "Love Don't Love Me." Father and son Eddie and Gerald Levert combine for the album's highlight, the gorgeous "Two of a Kind," which features rich string arrangements reminiscent of early-'70s Philly soul from Gamble and Huff. Maze featuring Frankie Beverly also go for a retro-'70s sound with the seven-plus-minute "Teach Each Other," featuring horns and an organ solo! Rookie rapper DL expertly merges a slow, menacing rap with a dub-inspired chorus for "Josephine." At 16 tracks and 71 minutes of music, this is a generous collection that samples a wide range of talent. --Rob O'Connor