With hard funk and hard raps, the Brand New Heavies prove they are no lightweights with The Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1.

While making a follow-up to their wonderful eponymous debut album, the Heavies were joined in the studio by a few of their fans--namely, some of the best rappers and dancehall d.j.'s around. The group took time off from their second album to put out this one. Many of the tracks are recorded live and the results are incredible.

Probably the best track on the album is "Who Makes the Loot?" featuring Grand Puba Maxwell. Grand Puba, formerly of Brand Nubian, just might be the best rapper out today. Also notable are "Bonafied Funk," featuring the now defunct Main Source and "It's Gettin Hectic," featuring Gang Starr.

"Jump n' Move," featuring Jamalski, is wildly frenetic and "State of Yo," featuring Black Sheep, is a dreamy reverie. And "Do What I Gotta Do" features Boston's own Ed O.G. On these tracks especially, fantastic vocal performances meld with fat beats and funky musical hooks.

The Heavies have made a memorable addition to hip hop. The exciting, spontaneous performances provide a sampler of live hip hop, which hardly ever seems to come to Boston.

The Brand New Heavies are the best hip hop imports from England since Mony Love. Their third album, which will again feature the awe-in-spiring vocalist N'dea Davenport, cannot come soon enough.