nineteen naughty nine: Nature's Fury (1999)

It's been four years since the multiplatinum rap trio's last release, but time's only resulted in a finer vintage. NBN flex mad versatility, mixing underground jams and rap-rock hybrids with surprising N'Awlins bounce (''Live or Die,'' featuring Master P) and party movers (''Jamboree'') that might make you forget ''O.P.P.'' Lyrical terrorist Treach, meanwhile, holds his own and then some with new-jack guests like Big Punisher. A display of furious styles worth the wait. A-