Various

Mike Nardone’s legendary radio show is known for bringing up-and-coming hip-hop artists to the limelight because Nardone is willing to give anyone and everyone a chance, as long as their tunes are worthy. The first instalment of We Came From Beyond showcased incredible acts such as Jurassic 5 and Dilated Peoples that were slipping the DJ their demo tapes in hopes of getting some airplay. This time around instead of hissy production and now-established artist’s early demos, we have a top-notch powerhouse of current underground stars throwing new and unreleased joints, making part two of We Came from Beyond surpass its predecessor. With the likes of J-Live, Wildchild and Medaphoar making appearances, this is a compilation that will get picked up on name-dropping alone, but it’s the fact that the expectations are met that will keep it in your stereo. Lifesavas team up with Declaime for the thumping beat-heavy "Government Cheese” while Aesop Rock, Eyedea and Slug join forces for a three-way match made in heaven on "Miss By a Mile.” Add even more stellar cuts by People Under the Stairs, Vast Aire from Cannibal Ox and Maroons (Lateef from Latyrx and Chief Excel from Blackalicious) and you almost can’t handle the amount of talent gathering for one record. What’s even greater is that though the "big name” acts take first place for strongest songs, there’s a handful of even-more-underground artists making big noise on this effort — cats who could easily blow up by the time the third instalment drops. There’s just no denying the amount of greatness on We Came From Beyond and the fact that these aren’t throwaway numbers the artists phoned in just shows how passionate they are in repaying Mike Nardone for all his help.