Prodigy and Havoc, the Queensbridge MCs behind Mobb Deep are clearly keen to set the record straight. Their fifth album, Infamy is a bitterly paranoid appraisal of the thug life and all the player haters who dare to test their style. In fact, the duo have pulled out all the "gats" to create the most blue, misanthropic gangsta rap album of 2001. Produced by the wildly different Bad Boy Hitman EZ Elpee, Dr Dre protégé Scott Storch, posse member, Alchemist and Havoc himself, Infamy has a highly funky, soulful, demented groove. Although the duo don't really stray from cursing, fronting and killing their enemies, both real and imagined, there are some magisterial, incredibly entertaining songs here. Prodigy and Havoc seem to be having a little fun after playing games with ferocious, slap-down tunes like "Kill That Nigga". Songs such as "Burn", the almost sweet, "Pray For Me" with Missy's gal, Lil Mo and "Live Foul" with it's jump-up ragga rhythm definitely touch home. In fact, the latter half of the album is where we get the young, fresh Mobb Deep of The Infamous, their second album and don't they know it. The strings-heavy "Nuthin' Like Home" is almost as good as their dancefloor stormer, "Give Up The Goods" and well, that's classic in this scribe's book. --Reuben Dessay