Seems everyone has something to say about Common's Universal Mind Control, an album that has seen innumerable changes since we found out about it. With that, this might be a good time to look into the past with K-Salaam & Beatnick's Common S.T.O.R.Y. (Stories Told Over Remixed Years). It features all-new remixes of classic Common tracks--"I Used To Lover H.E.R.," "1999" (as "2-0-0-9"), "Resurrection," "The Light" and more.

Common: "The Corner '09 Pt.1 (Beatnick & K-Salaam Remix)"

Compilations like this aren't unique (we consider Danimal's Thrillmatic and the numerous American Gangster remix albums) but S.T.O.R.Y. couldn't have come at a more appropriate time--on the eve of UMC's release along with many questions hanging in the air as to Common's viability among his old and new audiences. Here, Common is freed from the high-gloss, burdensome expectations incurred by his association with The Neptunes and Kanye West, and we really have to ask if the hand-wringing over his most recent output wouldn't be nullified with a team of fresh, non-ubiquitous producers.

Common: "S.T.O.R.Y." [Official][Download]
K-Salaam & Beatmick [MySpace]