For the past 10 years, Queensbridge has proven itself the unofficial home of criminal-minded hip-hop. Some of it"s been good, some bad, but the QB sound is consistently grimy. And Screwball, a crew that"s been around for considerably more than a hot minute, represent their "hood in fine style. Having bounced from Tommy Boy Records, the group, which includes KL, Hostyle, Poet, and Kyron, decided to release their sophomore album on a smaller label, and the move seems to have liberated them. Loyalty is 100-percent unadulterated, down-and-dirty street music. It features live beats, tight rhymes, and guest stars Kool G. Rap, M.O.P, and Cormega, each adding depth to the final product. More importantly, it has what so many so-called street albums have being missing for a while--a genuine love for the music. As Cormega says on the title track, "Loyalty"s worth more than wealth." The purity of Screwball"s Loyalty is a welcome confirmation. --Rebecca Levine