Capone-N-Noreaga - The Reunion (Deluxe Edition) [2LP]

The Reunion brings Capone-N-Noreaga's second album back as a deluxe edition, with bonus material, 140-gram vinyl and a gatefold jacket fit for Queens street royalty.

Released in 2000, the album marked the duo's return after their raw debut The War Report, with Capone back alongside Noreaga following his time behind bars. Working with Tommy Boy, they kept the gritty Queensbridge-meets-LeFrak City storytelling that made their name while widening their sound for a new decade, with a guest list that reads like a roll call of New York heavyweights.

The production roster is stacked. DJ Premier lays down the boom-bap backbone of "Invincible", The Alchemist cooks up "Bang Bang" with Foxy Brown riding shotgun, and Nas drops by for "B EZ". "Queens Finest" brings in Mobb Deep over a Havoc beat for a borough-wide victory lap, and throughout, the chemistry between the two MCs feels as natural as ever, all tough talk, sharp humour and street-level detail.

It captures a moment when East Coast hardcore rap still ruled the block, delivered by two of its most charismatic voices.

For anyone who grew up on Queens rap, or anyone digging into its golden years, this deluxe set is the definitive way to hear it.