Pitch Black shines on major debut

It's been a long time coming for the Brooklyn-based Pitch Black, having awaited its first major release since forming in 1994. \nTen years, countless tours and several underground and mixtape releases later, its time is now, as the five MC's that make up Pitch Black debut on Pitch Black Law. \nLike the name implies, Pitch Black Law isn't a glossy, glitzy album, but it also isn't so dark it beckons the demons either. It's a surprisingly smooth listen. "It's All Real," produced by DJ Premier, has the hottest hook on the record. Another super-producer, Swizz Beatz, lends his considerable bounce on "Shake That" and "NYC." \nBusta Rhymes and Foxy Brown make appearances on Pitch Black Law, but Pitch Black may be better off just doing its own thing, as the collective's chemistry is slightly interrupted on these tracks. D.G., Fast, G.O.D., Devious and Zakee each hold their own in the quintet, but it's when they feed off each other and exchange the mic that they're at their best. \nTen years together without a mainstream debut gives Pitch Black the chemistry and flow of hip-hop veterans, but the desperation and enthusiasm of 18-year-old rookies.