You can always judge a party by the guests in attendance.

If there's nothing but hangers-on, poseurs and party-crashers, then it's likely to be an affair to forget. But if it's a group of the who's-who of the prime-time players, chances are no one will go home unhappy.

For a prime example, check out the A-list of revellers on the second album from L.A. hip hop act Black Eyed Peas: Macy Gray, Mos Def, De La Soul, Wyclef Jean, Les Nubian, Chali 2na from Jurassic 5 and even Canadian trip hop vocalist Esthero -- it's the creme de la creme of the urban music crop.

Not that the extra bods and beats are needed -- the album is in stark contrast to most other hip hop crews that pad their studio time with unnecessary friends and family in order to disguise a lack of a plan of attack.

The guests on Bridging the Gap are just that -- people who have shown up to add to the festivities, not drag it down or dominate things.

All that allows the hosts to run things their way -- which is, while recalling acts like The Roots and Arrested Development, a fresh, positive and welcome way.

Never outclassed or upstaged, the Peas (centred primarily around Will.I.Am, Apl.De.Ap, and Taboo) lead the festivities through a steady, groove-heady disc that drops it all. And then, as the party appears to wind down, they dip into their reserves and pump things back up again with the instant classic Request + Line.

And it don't stop, til the break of dawn.

Track Listing 01. BEP Empire
02.Weekends
03.Get Original
04.Hot
05.Cali To New York
06.Lil' Lil'
07.On My Own
08.Release
09.Bringing The Gaps
10.Go Go
11.Rap Song
12.Bringing It Back
13.Tell Your Mama Come
14.Request + Line