Finally KRS-One seems to have awaken from his self-absorbed stint as "The Teacher" to realize that he can't teach anything when no one's listening. Boom Bap is quite a surprise for anyone familiar with the last couple Boogie Down Productions (BDP) albums - it's good. Could it be because the BDP team is not quite in the house? Filling in on the wheels of steel is Gangstarr's DJ Premier, whose hand in producing makes KRS's (aka Chris Parker) rants downright pleasant. This despite his new "solo" persona, which could easily be mistaken as another indicator of ego out-of-control. (During a recent visit to Raleigh, KRS allowed fans to have their picture taken with him for $10.) Given the defining comeback vibe here, there's a conspicuous lack of gimmickry. Boom Bap is no simple old-school nostalgia trip, no gangster put-on, no alternative/jazz fusion. KRS fights his demons, but steers clear of making waves; his main targets - cops and fake rappers. Even "I Can't Wake Up," with its gratuitous hemp chant, refrains from the typical BDP-style socio-/political preaching. What we get instead is just straight-up, solid hip hop from a man who, history tells us, knows it well. (Carrie McLaren)