>I can't really remember what my original expectations were for >the album but to me that's Nas' best record since at least >Stillmatic (partly due to it being a different lane for him >but a cohesive project due to it being on Junior Gong's aural >turf & fitting the concept of the 'Distant Relatives' >themes).
I could agree with the Stillmatic comment. I have liked all his albums SINCE Stillmatic but I think this one was the most complete. I was definitely pleasantly surprised at how well he fit into the overall sound of the album considering, like you said, how different a lane it was for him. He (and they) executed flawlessly.