Hip-Hop soundtracks seem to be a dime-a-dozen these days. It's almost as if the soundtracks dictate the movie. So when the news came that Shaft was going to be remade as a summer blockbuster, it was no question that the soundtrack was going to be another mix of R&B and Hip-Hop songs.

The Shaft soundtrack is pretty typical compared to the rest except for the fact that it is very South oriented. Many superstars below the Mason/Dixon line check in and pitch in some nice standout tracks. Most notable is the Organized Noize camp, who put in three cuts between them. The first one is Goodie Mob's Big Gipp with "We Servin'." More on the style of the last Goodie Mob album, this track is fast paced and bass-heavy. The follow-up song is "Tough Guy" by Outkast and UGK. Almost sounding like an out-take from the last Outkast album, this song is a neck-snapper and definitely the highlight of the album. The final Organized track is "Automatic" performed by Sleepy Brown, Backbone and Big Rube. This being the only tracked actually produced by Organized Noize, it has a soulful, jazzy feel with another memorable spoken-word poem from Big Rube.

As for the rest of the Hip-Hop tracks they are hit and miss. Mystikal attacks the slow moving "Ain't Gonna See Tomorrow" and Too Short spits more freaky tales on "Pimp Shit." And of course you can't do anything these days without the Ruff Ryders pitching in something as Jadakiss and Eve help out on Parle's "Fix Me."

The R&B side of the album is surprisingly good. R. Kelly donates two smooth and funky tracks with "Bad Man" and "Up And Outta Here." Donell Jones comes by and lays down a nice groove with "Do What I Gotta Do" that ironically samples Isaac Hayes' classic "The Look Of Love." And of course the original theme to "Shaft" is on here re-mastered and sounding as good as it ever did.

For a soundtrack this album is well above average. Each artist puts forth a good effort and there are only a few fast-forward candidates. The only thing missing is a Busta Rhymes track as he plays a good role in the movie he should have helped out the soundtrack as well. All in all it is a good album to coincide with a good summer blockbuster.

By JC