One of hip-hop's most consistently solid independent labels/artist collectives, Mello Music Group has been putting out top-notch music since the mid-'00s. Epitomized by breezy, sample-heavy production and down-to-earth, decidedly non-cliché lyricism, MMG's roster includes reliably dope artists like Oddisee, Apollo Brown, and yU, among many others. On this impressive compilation, they unleash an avalanche of golden era–inspired boom-bap, with quality assists from affiliates like OC ("Prestige of a King"), Black Milk ("Ease Back"), and Roc Marciano ("Tuxedo"). Undeniably likeable, it's loaded with relentlessly thick beats and quotable verses, with highlights such as the chilled-out "Raw" (featuring Kev Brown, Godly MC, and Toine), the flute-and-filter jam "Protocol," and the space funk posse cut "Soul Survivor" starring Boog Brown, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and former PRT frontman Wise Intelligent. A fantastic collection showcasing many underground favorites, this is one of 2012's best releases.