A concept album from a punch-line rapper is a dodgy proposition, so it’s fortunate that “Loso’s Way” strays off topic even more than Jay-Z’s “American Gangster”. Named after Fabolous’ own feature film–available in a limited-edition version of the album–”Loso’s Way” is inspired by the Al Pacino vehicle “Carlito’s Way”. But past a track named after the character “Pachanga” and a couple other references within the rhymes, this is actually a standard-issue Fabolous album, with big singles and plenty of laugh-out-loud lyrics. Like he says, jus’ “Throw It In The Bag”.

by Mark Emge

The-Dream hooks up with rapper Fabolous for the remix of his hit track, “I Luv Your Girl”. The original version appears on The-Dream’s debut album, “Love Hate”. The artist who wrote “Umbrella” for Rihanna explained that his album has a distinct feel, saying: “It’s more of what I’m giving other people. It’s like the ’80s — it’s musical. I’m doing the ‘Umbrella’ routine to this whole album. All of my records are singles. The album is really visual as well. It appeals to all your senses, similar to ‘Thriller’.” Find more at www.myspace.com/thedreamteam.

by Martín Wagmaister