Record Rack : With Compilation, Master P Is Once Again a Master Promoter

** 1/2 VARIOUS ARTISTS

“No Limit Soldiers Compilation:

We Can’t Be Stopped”

No Limit/Priority

No one can accuse Master P of overlooking opportunities to promote his record company. His No Limit Records releases an album nearly every other week, and the label’s A-list stars--Master P himself, Snoop Dogg, Mystikal, Silkk the Shocker, Mia X and C-Murder--appear on the releases of the label’s less formidable artists, drawing attention to groups that otherwise would be largely overlooked.

Enter “No Limit Soldiers Compilation.” The 17-cut collection features those established artists on the six strongest cuts, while the remaining tunes highlight the label’s fledgling--and apparently less talented--artists.

The track “No Limit Soldiers II” serves as a rowdy, adrenaline-raising roll call of sorts for the company’s heroes, while the furious, speedy, angst-filled boasting on Mystikal’s “I Ain’t Playin’ ” will have neck hairs standing at attention.

But the pre-pubescent Lil’ Soldiers weakly recycle a Master P tune, while Kane & Abel sound too calm on “It’s a Riot.” These other selections are not poor--they just pale in comparison to the effort’s stronger tracks. As with other No Limit releases, it’s wise to stick with proven talent.

*

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.