Did I ever tell you how much I love Chicago? Yeah, I guess I probably have. Hey, but I do. And whenever I hear something that sounds so inner city it must either be from Chicago or New York (though it's actually from Philly in this case), it excites me.

When the Funk Hits the Fan isn't just rap from the ghetto, though. It's a series of short stories about your average downtown joes, brought to life by some damn good actors. The music is top notch and the narration and dialogue that link the songs together is just plain neat.

Some of the album's best music comes at the beginning and the end of the record; the dick- rising jazz jam of "Jimmy Leans Back," the smooth '70s sound of "City [5-6 Theme]" and the sweaty disco breaks of "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life" is some of the best music this side of 1998.

So that settles it. Give me two weeks and I'm packin' up and goin' back to Chicago. Still just visiting, but one day, I'm makin' the move. And When the Funk Hits the Fan is goin' with me.

-Ryan Schreiber