Cornerstone of the Corner Store (Parental Advisory)

Vinnie Paz, the dynamic front man of Jedi Mind Tricks and orchestrator of the supergroup Army of the Pharaohs, returns with his third full-length solo album, ''The Cornerstone of the Corner Store.'' After more than 20 years in the game, Paz once again demonstrates his craft with the acumen and reverence of a well-schooled veteran. Independently released on his own imprint, Enemy Soil Records, ''The Cornerstone of the Corner Store'' is the culmination of a lifetime of dedication. According to Paz, the sound and aesthetic of ''Cornerstone'' is a heavy dose of grit and grime; ''It's a dirty record by design. It's an homage to that era I grew up in.'' Indeed, ''Cornerstone'' is filled with the type of ferocious rhymes and snarling delivery that the Philadelphia MC is known for. The growl is thick, the vocal weaponry is heavy, and Paz delivers each track with his unique blend of raw street gospel and philosophical consciousness.