AZ has been on fire lately, starting with the fantastic Aziatic in 2002, the above average A.W.O.L. in 2005, then completely shattering expectations set upon him 13 years ago with the superbly produced and rapped The Format a year later.

AZ has never sold millions of units or received the critical acclaim of many of his fellow New York brethren. Once upon a rhyme, it was (one-time?) friend Nasir "Nas" Jones who broke open the doors for the Brooklyn native, and allowed him the only guest appearance on his classic 1994 debut LP, Illmatic.

A year later, AZ released his debut record Doe or Die to meager sales but glowing reviews. This would, however, be the last time AZ would see these kinds of compliments next to his moniker. Still, AZ has persevered with strength, determination, a pristine flow (which some argue is one of rap's all-time best) and his descriptive, multi-syllabic lyrics.

Backed by soulful production and spitting lyrics better than anything he's conjured in years, Undeniable is AZ at his finest. There are very few guest appearances here, and when a Ray J (the flossy "Go Getta") or a Jay Rush (the sunny "What Would You Do") do show up, it is to perform the tasks AZ cannot; such as to croon a hook or two.

AZ no longer seems concerned with radio play or having the number one single on the chart. "The Game Don't Stop," with its soulful production and street-smart lyrics, is a choice example in which to best identify this record; more mature, more grown up, and more musically entrancing. Much of the album flows in such a manner, from the upbeat hook/sample combo of "Superstar" to the slight jig of "A Game." The record is backed, in its entirety, by beats complimentary to AZ's lyrics, flow, and voice.

Even the album's closer, the harsh sounding "The Hardest" with Styles P. — which plays the "cold gangster" card lyrically yet is so melodic and flowing musically — represents quite spectacularly how this album best facilitates two crucial aspects of the street rap subgenre; sublime beats AND well-written rhymes, and not just one or the other. Not only are AZ and Styles two of the East Coast's best MCs, but an album that combines both of these critical facets is quite rare in this day and age.

Even as good as the album is, nothing is ever perfect and Undeniable has a couple of slight missteps. If you're looking for variety, AZ rarely veers away from his "educated thug" persona. With the unarguably excellent production, this will more than likely begin to feel like one long soul sample after another.

Even though sure-fire club banger "A Game" is not as soulfully flavored as the rest of Undeniable, it is also the album's Achille's Heel. Without it, the record would have had one complete, cohesive sound. With "A Game," it feels one track short of accomplishing something rap has needed since the shiny suit era.

14 years after first debuting, AZ is still holding it down for the real, and don't confuse "real" with "gangster." His latest is grade A production wrapped in a sugar-free shell, minus the chocolate sauce. AZ is surely one of the undisputed greats of the rap game who will probably never get the recognition he deserves. But if Undeniable is any indication, AZ's name will be on the tongues of real rap fans long after the 50 Cent's and the Soulja Boy's flash is gone from the proverbial pan.