The latest of many compilation albums released recently is entitled D-Unit, and came out under the Envy label. As has happened lately with other Envy albums, the artwork has 'A Sanj Production' printed on the front. However, a quick flick through the track listings, and we fail to see his name credited on any of the tracks - or do we? Sanj seems to have taken on some kind of an executive producer type of role within Envy, and this reminds me of how Suge Knight used to have his name on many a Deathrow release years ago. I understand the D in D-unit stood for Desi, but I'd like to reserve judgement on what I'd like it to stand for till the end of the review. For those of you who do not follow Hip Hop music, or maybe even any type of Western music - the title has been taken from 50 Cent's G-Unit group. I think this just show a real lack of inventiveness; let's hope that it doesn't set the stage for the rest of the album. Only one way to find out…

The 1st track is called Mitra Dey Haat Farkey, and begins with a tumbi riff. Then an alarm sounds before Lil Jon's 'Yeah' (As in the Usher tune) beat drops. Guess the title did reflect on the material straight away. I have to admit it does sound good when he's changed Luda's lyric from saying Lil Jon to Lil Sach, and the Hoi's also fit in well. The track is sung by Jags of DSI, and he has a very traditional desi voice. The track listing states that it also features J Nas, but there is no Mc'ing really. I guess J Nas is the producer - a new producer maybe? Or maybe not… Surely, it's not just a coincidence that J Nas is Sanj backwards. I'm guessing J Nas could just be an alias for the man himself - maybe for his less well-produced tracks? If you like sampled tunes, you'll like this one. The beat is wicked, but surely these types of mixes should be left to DJ's and not really released. I mean I did a mix of the Usher beat with a Malkit Singh tune near the beginning of the year, but it's not something I'd ever release. I understand it is these types of mixes that are getting the most attention stateside, and I feel if that is the case, the mainstream is just going to be laughing at us. However, these tracks must be appealing to someone for them to be continually released, so maybe, I'm just being a little too unforgiving.

Onwards to track 2, entitled Ashiq Tera, sung by the Mr Hussainpuri, who gets around so much, he could be called many an unflattering name. The track has been produced by Sound Ministry. I rate these two very talented producers, and feel they probably have what it takes to produce some tracks for the mainstream. This song starts of with a traditional type of beat. Then in comes the drop which is again a sample - this time taking the form of the 50 Cent 'If I Can't' tune. I'm not even going to bother going on about the use of the sample. It's not continuous throughout the tune, but is there for the majority of it. I expected better from these producers. Hussainpuri again gives a solid effort. However, the lyrics are just the usual run of the mill stuff. This one doesn't do much for me either.

Number 3 - things had to get better, otherwise this CD was coming straight outta my new decks. And, boy do things improve. The third track is a totally different flex to what has come before. Many of you may have heard this one previously. It is the track by Rouge, called Don't Be Shy. Zeus produced the tune and he gets a big up at the start of the tune but doesn't seem to have been credited in the track listings for some reason. The Rouge girls sing this one totally in English. However, there are elements of Kangna sampled here, and many are calling it Kangna Part 2. The beat is excellent, and vivid followers of Zeus will recognise it from the remix he produced of Lauryn Hill's Doo Wop. I think the music makes this track and for me the jury is still out as to how good the Rouge girls really are. Still, a top debut tune, and hopefully we'll be hearing much more of them in the future.

J.Nas is back for the fourth track, as is Hussainpuri. The tune is called Bhangra Bina, and suitably the tune has a very desi beat. It's a very traditional track overall, not much to say about this one. Very ordinary, but could see it doing well at the more desi parties. The lyrics are quite good on it; but not exactly revolutionary stuff.

The fifth Track is a skit, and is called Hot in Herre. This has been done by Hollywood Harv, and is absolutely hilarious. I'm not going to ruin it for everyone, but this one had me in stitches for a while… Quality!

Onto the sixth tune, called Ta Ta Mar Da, which begins with big ups to Radio 1 and The Bobby Friction & Nihal show. A shout out that seems to have granted them some airplay on the Radio 1 show. Karan MC, the in-house singer of Envy, sings it. It's good to hear more material of this singer, and he continues to impress me. Sugahill and Deeper Error also feature on the tune. The track is a hip-hop type of one, and if there is a sample, I can't spot it. A decent effort by the lads, but it's no more than an album filler for me.

J Nas makes his third appearance on the album for track 7, entitled Kagri. This time he is vs Lil Sach, so they are sharing the credit for the production on this one. What production they have actually done escapes me though. The entire beat is, is Britney Spear's Toxic beat, and there is absolutely no attempt at incorporating any more desi instruments into the tune. Guess, it was desi enough when Britney used it. The MC is MC Nu: Klea, and he does an average job at best, enough said I think.

Mitra De is the title of track 8, which this time sees Lil Sach on the production boards. He's come up with a real desi beat for this one. The singer is Sukwinder Gossal, a new name to me, and after his squeaky effort on this one, not a name I'll be seeking more of. The tune is not anything special.

Sangeeta sings the ninth track; Multani Sugahill and Deeper Error are again back on production duties, and again big up Bobby & Nihal, amongst some other websites. The beat on this one is nice, and the singer has also done a good job. The beat is a very slick laid back Hip Hop tune, complimented excellently by the voice of Sangeeta. The MC don't even sound out of place on this one.

The final track is called Gangsta Drop - interesting title. Again the team of Deeper Error and Sugahill have produced it. It starts with Karan MC's powerful voice, and listening to the lyrics, you realise why they entitled it what they did. The Mc'ing this time is not as good. The MC doesn't have the type of voice to rap such aggressive lines in my opinion. The track alternates between the MC's (well his name's Karan MC - guess we should call him an MC as well). However, I think it would have been a better tune just with the Punjabi lyrics. Not a bad track all in all though.

I think you should have gathered this isn't an album I would recommend to you. So what does the D stand for in my opinion; I could use many a Derogatory word, take your pick: Dire, Diabolical, Daft, Disappointing, Disgraceful or Dismal! Okay, a few of them might just be a little bit too harsh. The sampled tracks get a big no no from me, but there is the Rouge track, and the skit really is funny. However, the rest of the album is just mainly album fillers and due to the excessive sampling makes it sound like an album you would expect to have bought say 5 years or so ago and it looks totally out of place in this day and age, which is why it scores a dusty 4.6 outta 10. I find it quite bemusing that EnvyRoma feel the need to put out sub-standard junk like this knowing good well it's not up to scratch. Now Mr Raj Roma it's not compulsory to release an album a month; you should emphasise on quality releases, which the crew at EnvyRoma are more than capable off!