Insomnia

Erick Sermon displayed an individualistic style when he delved into solo work after EPMD split. He offered a relaxed, shadowy vibe and unique samples, a far cry from his high-energy sound with the group. Post-“El Nino”, though, his production became a bit bland. Still, “Insomnia” is top-notch and serves as a platform for lesser-known artists from Defsquad's extended family. Though some pieces became a bit repetitive, it remains a solid album for nighttime drives. Redman's “Funkorama” stands out, as does Jamal's “Beez Like That” (whose album didn't live up to the single), and the Wixtons' “Up Jumps the Boogie.”