E-40 - Best of Yesterday Today & Tomorrow - Music & Performance - CD

Legendary Bay Area rapper E-40 has never really received the acclaim that his contribution to the genre warrants. A highly talented rhymer who has always gone his own way, this greatest hits album makes a firm case for greater recognition. Spanning his decade-long career, Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow hits the high points and offers a 64-minute shot of entertainment that's surely above the recommended dose. And just one listen makes it clear that, in terms of style, "Forty" doesn't run with the pack.

The big guy busts out with a short autobiographical intro in which he tells it like it is: "I done covered every part of the game, man." And there's no messin' around from there on out. "Da Bumble" hits the ground swaggering with its steady power rhythm and synth doodling and noodling. And the catty vocal style on this excellent head-nodder isn't like anything you'll hear anywhere else.

There are lots of colors in this mini masterpiece. "Zoom" (from 1998's The Element of Surprise) splashes some smooth soul onto the canvas, while the eclectic "Sideways" ventures into electro-rap waters. Forty's first-ever hit, "Captain Save A H**," splashes down in mid album with its neo-funk trim and multi-layered soundscape.

There's a big chopping beat gunning along the deuce of dance joints "Rapper's Ball" (featuring Too Short and K-Ci) and the R&B-laced "Hope I Don't Go Back." The latter is a perfect blend of the pretty and the powerful and is one of several tracks that showcases Forty's speed rap skills.

It just keeps getting better. The cheeky "Sprinkle Me" hops and skips along, injecting a pop sensibility into proceedings. Then the fabulous Fabolous climbs on board for the 2002 hit "Automatic." In addition to the illustrious guest's contribution, "Automatic" features a very Arabian-desert-dance synth line and a marvelous gobbling, garrulous rap. That mighty thudder "Gas, Break, Dip" (featuring The Federation) pays homage to Harley Davidsons and hog riding while a siren synth suggests that the law might be in hot pursuit.

And let's not forget the roaring posse chant of "It's On" (featuring Bone Crusher and Cotton Mouf) or Forty's new single "Thick & Thin," with its cool-hand rap and slick production.

Fifteen tracks and more variety than a rap megastore, Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow is the last word on E-40's contribution to the game. You'll wanna crank this crunk!

By Adrian Zupp