Rob Base had parted company with DJ E-Z Rock by the time he recorded his second album, The Incredible Base, but his approach didn't change significantly.

The New Yorker still favored party music over social or political commentary, and managed to appeal to both hardcore hip-hoppers and R&B fans who weren't necessarily big rap supporters.

Though nothing here is in a class with the first album's unforgettable title song, this CD definitely has its strong points.

On "War," Base samples Edwin Starr's Motown classic not to make a political statement, but to question the feuds that were so prevalent in rap in the late '80s and early '90s.

"If You Really Want to Party," "Turn It Out (Go Base)," and "Get Up and Have a Good Time" won't win any awards for profound lyrics, but function quite well on the dancefloor.

Like so many rappers, Base couldn't count on longevity -- by the mid-'90s, his popularity had faded considerably.