Those of you who caught an album that came out early last year entitled "Public Diary" by one Ayentee, were treated to some fresh production coupled with heartfelt, introspective, and personal rhymes, all brought together in a complete package and unleashed upon the independent hip hop landscape to critical acclaim. It's 2002, and Ayentee returns as part of the Bay Area triumverate known as the Secluded Journalists. He's joined by Wonway (who was featured on "Dumb" on Public Diary), and Bullshit (great name).

Lyrically, the journalists are bringing more of that introspective, personalized outlook vibe to their verses, which they do well. Each emcee seems to come in at the proper point, leaving the listener with a fresh verse around every corner, keeping the deliveries varied and fresh throughout. Ayentee is bringing more of his slightly nasal delivery to the table, with Wonway and Bullshit exhibiting more kiltered flows.

But dope lyrics and flows are only half the battle, and thanks to Ayentee (who did every beat on this album himself), the beats are complete, with a sometimes jazzy (pianos, guitars, and various brass), sometimes funk influenced (the varied usage of different basses), and always with dope drum programming. Ayentee is putting his MPC through rigorous battles coming through with constant victories. The album even serves up three instrumentals "A Beat II", "Outro" and the appropriately titled "Instrumental", all of which exhibit Ayentee's keen ear for music.

But by far (at least in this reviewer's opinion), the blend of lyrical calisthentics and production prowess come together to create the hotness on "No Excuses", which is highlighted by a fresh ass piano sample and some hitting drums, and the Bullshit solo track "Thought Process", which is accentuated with a walking bassline, that serves as the perfect foundation for Bullshit to speak on life.

This is a fresh album...no question. At just $5 a pop, you'd be crazy not to scoop this up with your next online purchase. Support cats like Ayentee and the Secluded Journalists who put their heart into each track they do, because if there were more artists like them, and more albums like this, hip hop would be that much better for it.