Money Studies was recently granted access to the vault of a true Baltimore club king, and we emerged with our pockets crammed full of enough hand-picked gems to form the sixth installment in the Money Lotion series. Rod Lee needs absolutely no intro to fans of the mid-Atlantic sound, but even the most diehard of Orioles will be seeing most of these tracks on wax for the first time. "Kim's Theme(1)" is about as quintessential Lee as they come without having the man's own voice over the top. Rod chops up Lil Kim's famous "hot damn ho, here we go again" from the "Quiet Storm" remix with sinister piano and stuttering bass riding underneath. This track has been out of print for years and we're pleased to give it its very first reissue. "Family(2)" is another classic, a party favorite with cheese to spare as Rod puts the Bmore boots to Sister Sledge's party anthem. Rounding out the A-side's big trifecta is "Mamma Say(3)," Mr. Lee's MJ-sampling track that's been a club staple for years. New track "Put Your Hands Up(4)" sets off the B-side with with drum programming and triggered shouting vocals, followed by the classic instrumental "Sonic Drop(5)" where the man gets into some Bambaataa business. Rod closes things out with a band, curiously repping both "Cotton Eyed Joe" and all corners of the continental US on the brand new track "Where You Come From(6)."

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red