Heavy Beats, Vol. 1

by Matt ConawayAs hip-hop prepares itself for the dawn of a new era, a modernistic class of distinguished beat constructors are anxious to apply their signature on the Y2K sound. One producer who will surely help define the millennial sound is DJ Spinna, the newest gem unveiled from NY's underground hip-hop scene. Chock full of scintillating grooves, Spinna's debut is a treat old-school purists will surely sink their teeth into. It's obvious Spinna spent many nights burning the midnight oil digging through dusty 12-inches, as he provides innovative production and ungodly breakbeats. But Spinna's debut is not all intergalactic warfare, as he recruited many familiar faces -- Eminem and Thirstin Howell on "Who Dees," Talib Kweli and Apani B on "Time Zone" -- to augment his mind-expanding creations.