for that live feel, it's kinda old but never duplicated i really recommend the roots CD "do you want more" and especially tracks 'proceed' and datskat, and whatever track 11 is called, brain fart right now.
oh and by the way, all the roots stuff is just as good.
mos def's CD's are both good, and he's got a b-sides and remix collection in europe called "we are hip-hop, you me everybody"
common's entire career, excluding electric circus, though his track with stereo lab on that disc was sweet to me.
blackalicious: NIA, and Blazing arrow
Plus one on J5, but the middle CD, power in numbers was good too. just not as great as quality control.
as far as new stuff, not much new stuff gets to me. Lupe sounRAB good, hip hop is lacking variety, which is worse than lacking creativity. If i have to hear one more idiot barking into a microphone, i'm breaking my radio.