Straight up, this is that down South, dirty South thug shit. These guys are reppin’ Orlando to the fullest. Close your eyes and point your finger at any track on this album and most likely it’s a club anthem. A lot of hot, bouncey tracks. The production is excellent. If you don’t buy this CD for any other reason, get it for the title track, "Shut Tha Block Down," because that shit is bangin’. – DJ Steel

This track is not a club joint, not a Top 40 joint, not even a pop joint. It’s a cool-out type joint, but it has a little up-tempo to it, something you can nod your head to. It’s something you’d listen to in your living room when you’re in that type of mood, sipping on some Henny. The way these girls put down their vocals on this track reminds me of how En Vogue used to get down. They way the harmonize together is lovely. The solos are lovely as well, and even the rhyming they did was good. I’m giving these girls 4 blunts, and hoping this is an indication of more good things to come from this group. – DJ Steel

I recommend that you go back and re-master this 9-track CD, because the quality of the mix is poor. Your lows are overpowering everything else. Rredo your vocal arrangements. – DJ Steel

This is another tight one from Dice Records. It started off strong and took a slight downwards turn, it was still straight but didn’t really pick up again until the eighth track, "Ya Yow." The keyboards on that track are hot. In my opinion, that should be the first single off the CD. - DJ Steel

This is the club banger right now steadily climbing the charts. It’s a summertime joint, and this girl has mad vocals. This CD also features samples from some of her other songs like "I Just Died," which really helps you appreciate her vocal range. I hope when her LP drops, it’s just as good. – DJ Steel

This Wu-Tang affiliate has a sick flow, and everyone on the track puts it down, but what really reaches out and grabs you is the sample they used in the background. My man is singing, "Have mercy," and it’s just looped throughout the whole track. That shit is off the hook. This should be an underground banger. I’d like to see it go mainstream, but you know how it is. – DJ Steel

This has a very hot Latin beat, and I’m feeling the track. The vocals are excellent, the production is tight, and both Don Dinero and Cuban Linx hold it down lyrically. I like the way they paid their respects to Pun. – DJ Steel

My advice to Live Effect is to be more versatile, as far as your flow. The flow on all seven tracks seemed the same. Flip it a little bit, switch it up. The tracks are good and I’m not saying these cats aren’t talented, but I think they can be much better. – DJ Steel

RATED R  - IN HERE TONIGHT

This simple track features nice production, and from what I understand this joint is pushing Khia to the side out in Tampa. It’s got that down South flavor and a tight beat. I want to see what it does when it starts hitting the club scene here in Orlando. – DJ Steel

MIX CDs

Here at OZONE we received numerous mix CDs this month, and we weren’t able to review all of them, but we would like to at least make a mention of a few hot joints hitting the streets this month.

Finally, out of Central Florida, there’s two mix CDs dropping from ADG, like "Initial Heat," with a lot of hot new joints. To order email neveraflawproductions@msn.com or call 386-503-0581.

Got feedback? Send email to OZONEMAG@hotmail.com  or mail: PO Box 677722, Orlando, FL 32867