Posted on 05/06/2008
Since 1995, Anthony “AZ” Cruz has employed one of Hip Hop’s most impressive flows and has amassed a catalogue of material worthy of praise amongst fans and critics alike. With moderate success over the span of his career, AZ has gone from major to the minor while never losing his formidable lyrical abilities. With his latest studio album, Undeniable, AZ delivers another solid and lyrically sharp product.

Right out the gate, the intro song “The Game Don’t Stop” is a rousing track produced by M.O.P.’s Fizzy Womack (aka Lil Fame). AZ fits right into the pocket of the track with fierce rhymes and confident timing. The following song, “Superstar”, displays AZ delivering great lines but the Mr. Lee track doesn’t hold the track together as well as it could. Virginia producer Nottz provides AZ with “Fire”, a bass-heavy track with AZ again sounding sharp as ever. The following track, “What Would You Do” ft. vocalist Jay Rush is a track that means well but seems contrived and overwrought. Jay Rush fails to compliment producer Emile’s track to any memorable degree and the song just becomes forgettable, despite AZ’s well-crafted rhyme. The title track, produced by The Bad Parts, could garner some radio play – but not likely in today’s climate. However, AZ’s performance over this R&B-tinged track is worthy of the attention.

On the final two tracks, “A Game” and “The Hardest”, the album closes on a strong note. On “A Game”, Fizzy Womack provides a slow head-nodding track with AZ truly spitting some ferocious and playing with his style a little more than previously shown on the record. On “The Hardest” Styles P of the Lox joins AZ on this Large Professor-produced track. Perhaps the album’s best track, Styles P’s performance in incredible and AZ shines over Extra P’s thumping production. This is definitely a banger, to apply that overused term. AZ’s latest isn’t his best but it definitely doesn’t tarnish his legacy. With some stronger or more risk taking producers, AZ can deliver solid music for years to come.

- D.L. Chandler