It’s been more than a minute since we’ve last heard from Mark J. Say hello to City of Pain, and prepare to hear the NY-bred and Georgia-based artist in a new light.

He has always been in the street mission vanguard, bold in his goal of immersing the Gospel message in the rhythm of the urban neighborhood. Now settled in with Much Luvv Records, Mark J emerges with a revitalized sound and next-level effort.

The album is a generous melange of beats, rhymes and interludes, and comes with a fist full of guests. At 25 tracks, there is plenty to choose from. Amidst Mark J’s predominate East Coast influence, there are diverse elements that pack an R&P and even ragga punch.

“Passion” is Mark’s vehicle to outline his vision and his lifeblood —Jesus. Canton Jones gathers steam in accompanying the flows with purely soulful vocals.

What about that title track? It’s a reference to the world, the anguish that the artists sees in his hometown, the evidence of Satan’s grip on the masses that populate the streets. Mark J delivers his rhyme, telling the story from his perspective sitting watching in public transit, expressing hope that the ‘city of pain’ will see the ‘city that needs no sun’. Bob Russ produces; delicate guitar and fine backing vocals from Katanya Ingram gel the cut.

Truth guests on “Root of Evil”, adding his urgent ragga flow to Mark J’s, making an already urgent subject matter come across with just the right punch and potency, making it one of the tightest cuts on the project. Check “Right Revolution” for another Truth cameo, an old school blast of scratches and brass samples.

Ms. Ty Scott of Platinum Souls (see album review) continues to impress with her rhyming, delivery and poetic abilities. Here she guests on “A Slave’s Cry”, an fast-paced intense offering that examines the sometimes negative connotation of heritage in the light of Scripture.

The follow-up joint brings in a roster of peers: Ricardo Flo of Platinum Souls, Elle Roc, Todd Bangz and Precise. It’s “Livin’ Martyrs”, and it’s a heady ride into hard-hitting territory with flow after flow of penetrating questions to the believer, culminating in “are you dying daily?”.

City of Pain then blooms into a garden of beats and truths, with artists such as Izrael (“Queens to Kings”), Dawn Bynoe (“14 Karat Gold Ave.”) adding to the joy. You might be thinking that it’s alot of guests artists. It is —and credit Mark J with unifying the whole business with his writing and consistent themes. He’s ever-present with his ability to anchor each cut with his fluid flows and lyrical brilliance.

The project finishes with “Sundown Wars”, a rare guest spot from Dano and Neogen of Remnant marking it and pushing this project to its high point.

Always ready with a lashing vocal hook to bring in the masses and delicious flows to snag attention, Mark J has issued one of the nicest rap projects to hit 2003 to date.