Reviewed by Karl Allison

A truly in-your-face rap release from the outfit with roots in Jesus People USA. They rejoice in the names 'Mellow Madness', 'Alpine', T and 'Wicked Will' and are joined throughout the album by female rappers The Sista'hood. One of the results of this is that there's an awful lot of voices on the tracks and just occasionally it sounds overcrowded but there are some glorious moments when the sisters are used as choir-style backing. This is especially so on "Troubl'd Times" which is an addition to that smallest of musical lists: the successful rap ballad. In truth, there's nothing startlingly original about the rapping styles or the hip-hop backing, but it's very well delivered and they have a lot to say to America's desperate gangsta rap generation. Try these lyrics from the title track: "Tell me why the blacks kill the blacks in my community/Broken famlees headin' down the wrong road/Think that foul little devil's gotta stronghold/Searchin' for direction, a reason to live/Open up ya Bible. Whoomp, there it is, hit 'em with gospel. That's what I give 'em 'cuz nothin' falls with God in the middle." It's the truth.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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