An Angry, Consistent ‘Drive’

VARIOUS ARTISTS, “New Jersey Drive, Vols. 1 and 2”; Tommy Boy ) ***

Soundtrack rap collections generally are riddled with filler. For every big name, there’s usually a lame no-name. But on this two-volume set, made to accompany an action movie about carjackers, there’s hardly any fat.

In fact, the unknowns, including the E. Bros and Jeru the Damaja, generally outperform such veterans as Queen Latifah, Naughty by Nature, Heavy D, MC Eiht, Lords of the Underground and Redman.

The music on both volumes--mostly rap but some R&B--chillingly; reflects the angry ‘hood mind-set. The 17-track Vol. 1 includes most of the stars, while Vol. 2, an eight-song EP, has Naughty by Nature and seven lesser lights. Yet Vol. 2--with its strong New York underground slant--whips Vol. 1 by a hair.

Albums are rated from one star (poor) to four stars (excellent).