In Brief

* * * Various artists, “Above the Rim” soundtrack, Death Row/Interscope. 2Pac’s intense, touching “Pain” is one of the year’s best rap songs, and his collaboration with Treach and Riddler on “Loyal to the Game” isn’t far behind. Also exceptional: B Rezell’s breezy commentary on pot-smoking, “Blowed Away.” The only wretched track: Al B. Sure!’s “I’m Still in Love With You.” Most of the 21 gangsta rap and racy, mid-tempo R&B; tracks are above average.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).