Tre Hardson

The Pharcyde's albums featuring its full lineup (Imani, Booty Brown, Fatlip and Slimkid3) rank among hip-hop's finest. Bizarre Ride II (1992) contained silly, self-deprecating rhymes. Labcabincalifornia (1995) evolved to sober musings and smooth, mature beats. But the crew's live sets could never quite re-create the playful or philosophical vibes of its albums. Now performing under his given name, Tre Hardson, Slimkid3 comes correct in concert, using a five-piece backing band called Fuqawi. On his second solo album, SlimKid3's Café, Hardson flows and sings with casual soul over quick rhythm tracks, jazzy keys and jangle-funk riffs reminiscent of James Brown's guitarist Jimmy Nolen. Hardson's shows have a different feel than most rap gigs: He occasionally played tambourine during last fall's tour, delivering his vocals into a microphone on a stand. But when Fuqawi instrumentally enhances and extends Pharcyde jams such as "Otha Fish," even old-school purists should be satisfied.