Stones Throw head honcho and noted crate digger Peanut Butter Wolf (real name Chris Manak) has an incredible ear for sound. His forward thinking vision has seen his indie record label pump out a large portion of this year’s best hip hop, funk and soul releases. But, just like normal people, even Peanut Butter Wolf likes to play video games, which is why Stones Throw has teamed up with 2K Sports to license a number of tracks for the 2K8 range of games. One of the most respected labels on the block teams up with a veritable who’s who of hip hop for the 20 song compilation album Peanut Butter Wolf Presents B-Boy Zombie War.

The usual suspects are here, with Stones Throw alumni Madlib contributing a number of beats under his Quasimoto and Beat Konducta monikers. He also appears on the opening track See (Suite) as the Supreme Team (with Karriem Riggins ). Other label mates to make an appearance include Guilty Simpson, J-Rocc, Baron Zen, Madlib’s brother Oh No and soul singer Aloe Blacc. However, what’s more impressive is the guest artist roster that has been assembled, most likely as a tribute to the late J-Dilla. Q-Tip and Talib Kweli pop up on Lightworking, a Dilla track featuring a quirky sample, while DJ Babu of Dilated Peoples provides the beat on Now You Know for his four-year-old son Niko.

Delving into some funk is MED on Break It Down, while Guilty Simpson works with another tight Dilla beat on Make It Fast. Rising Stones Throw star Percee P brings his familiar breathless delivery to Legendary Lyricist Pt. 2, showing his talent on one of the best cuts on the album. Dam-Funk provides the laid back vibes of Sidewayz, and Koushik ups the rock on the Beastie Boys sounding Basketball Beat. James Pants, who featured on the previous Stones Throw compilation Chrome Children 2 pops up again on the groovy Ka$h (Peanut Butter Wolf remix). But by far the funniest track on the album is Big Girl, Skinny Girl by CX Kidtronix feat. Rockola, almost like a modern day take on Young MC’s Baby Got Back.

A lot darker than the previous Stones Throw compilations, it is still, without doubt, a top class collection of tracks. Dilla’s legacy continues to grow, while Percee P shows just how talented he is. Q-Tip and Talib Kweli are almost like the old guard, but they still manage to hold it down next to the likes of Guilty Simpson and MED. I say it every time, but it amazes me how the Stones Throw crew manage to release quality album after quality album. I’m still waiting for the day that I come across a Stones Throw record I don’t like, although I find it hard to believe that day will ever come.