Based in Queens but originally from Toronto, Marco Polo has been paying dues for many years, building his rep via high-profile collaborations with a wide assortment of golden-era vets. Put out by Soulspazm/Rawkus in 2007, Port Authority is his first official album, and features a truly impressive guest list of legendary MCs, such as Kool G Rap ("Hood Tales"), Masta Ace (on the lead single "Nostalgia"), Black Moon's Buckshot ("Go Around"), and Large Professor ("Radar"). More than just a showcase for aging rap heroes, it also highlights some of today's most promising younger mic marauders, including Roc Marciano, Oddisee, and Supastition. In an era where pre-set synth beats and paint-by-numbers AutoTune shenanigans dominate the industry, Marco takes it back to that gold 'ol boom-bap. Hard-hitting yet undeniably soulful, this is quality hip-hop through and through.