There seems to be a growing retro movement in hip-hop today, with several groups, most notably L.A.'s Jurassic 5 and Ugly Duckling, bringing back the old-school and true-school style of classic '80s and early-'90s hip-hop. People Under the Stairs (also from L.A.) mine a similar vibe, as dual MC/producers Thes One and Double K treat us to a tight collection of b-boy-centric rhymes, fresh breakbeats and vintage samples.

The follow-up to their 1998 debut, Next Step, Question is the 22-track fruit of PUTS' crate-digging labor. Rhymes are playful and down-to-earth, rejecting the iced-down/thugged-out blueprint of so many crews today. The lyrics of Thes One and Double K may not be ultra-complicated, but they're easy to relate to, asserting a love of hip-hop, the importance of original breaks and a taste for good weed.

Question is consistent from start to finish, though there are a few especially nice moments. "Blowin' Wax" (RealAudio excerpt) features proud rhymes proclaiming, "We're traveling the world/ Trying to take it back to '92 y'all." Watery wah-wahs, booming basslines and crisp beats abound, peppered with fresh cuts and smooth sax loops. "July 3rd" (RealAudio excerpt) flexes a great guitar riff, earthy organs and punchy drums. "Give Love a Chance" (RealAudio excerpt) is another sure-shot, utilizing the same contagious sample as L The Headtoucher's mixtape favorite "Too Complex."

While the chances of PUTS going platinum are pretty close to nil, odds are they won't be too bummed out. This record is all about putting the fun back in hip-hop, a respectable challenge that they accomplish with ease.