POOR RIGHTEOUS TEACHERS: Black Business

Profile

Third LP from New Jersey's PRT, a hiphop trio to treasure, 5% Islam lyrics and all. Black Business departs from both Holy Intellect and Pure Poverty in production credits: PRT's own Shaheed pushes the buttons on most of the tracks here, leaving but four cuts for Tony D to assemble. While pulling out similar beats as the former producer, Shaheed's spin lacks that special something that made PRT funk so friendly. Don't ask me what that is, though. Black Business' inability to move me comparably may very well have as much to do with, say, my current blood pressure, as its conservative beats. Shaheed, like Tony D, makes a mix so clean and even, it's hard to fault him. The main man on the mic is another story. Lyric-keeper Wise Intelligent doesn't quite live up to his namesake, spouting off about "faggots" and "pussys" in the name of Islam. Who knows. Maybe it makes good business, but I'm not buying. (Carrie McLaren)