LPG has been making holy hip-hop for years, although that is coming to an
end. Our Jon Corbin takes a look at their last release, plus we have a bunch
more new reviews on cMusicWeb.com this week, and even a new CD from LPG's
Jurny Big in stores this week. Welcome to September, and welcome back to
school season!

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THE GADFLY - LPG (2003)
by Jon Corbin

"You ain't gotta like me / I don't like you / But one thing's for sure /
Respect due!"

After 20 years in the game as outspoken Christian battle rappers (yes you
read that correctly), LPG are calling it quits. The founders of the Tunnel
Rats sum up their career with a high quality album, The Gadfly. A gadfly is
a small insect destined to agitate wildlife just enough to cause movement
and remind them to breathe. As rappers Dax and Jurny Big lay their mics
down, they assume the role perfectly, serving up enough controversial
lyrical content to aggravate (and gain the attention of) the industry.

Honest song topics reign supreme on The Gadfly. "Record Keeps Spinning"
addresses those who still question the legitimacy of faith in hip-hop. Dax
calmly provides these words: "As the record keeps spinning / The world keeps
spinning ... You can be down with this culture and still be a Christian /
That should be a given / Nowadays it isn't / Hip-hop's just a culture /
Christian is living." The earthy classic "A Place Called Hip-Hop" from LPG's
first album, gets a makeover from producer Dert into a scathing commentary
on the state of modern hip-hop. Jurny creatively illustrates his point: "It
used to be a place without band-aids on faces / And thugged out voices
running through R&B places / And broads in videos showing more body than
brains." Those new to the L.A. crew will be impressed at the exceptional
lyricism that remains consistent through 23 tracks.

The pain of racial profiling is addressed in the hard-hitting "Squad Car."
"Liquid" sees both emcees describe very personal desert experiences as they
contemplate their place in hip-hop culture. On the subdued "Wackness Like,"
Raphi joins the fun as the duo intentionally confronts Christian rappers who
provide sub-par music and defend it as ministry. On one of many of the
album's interludes, Dax asks the question: "is compromising the gospel not
saying Jesus in your rap 30 times, or is [it] putting out a project so bad
in it's quality and content that it ends up turning people away?" As leaders
in this game, LPG raise the bar for Christian performers to make their
ministry more effective.

This is an album that deserves several spins simply to pick up all the
knowledge that the crew lays down. Dert's sharp production provides a deep
underground feel, with a wide range of samples from East Indian to 70's
funk, bright guitars to stripped-down percussion. Solid guest appearances
from Raphi and Sev Statik as well as producers Jermz and Peace 586
contribute to an already excellent album. While The Gadfly may be
interlude-heavy, it should be no deterrent to purchasing an album that many
will call a classic.

Find out more about LPG:
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/crossmovement


OTHER NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Review: Unlocked - Verbs
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/verbs/unlocked.shtml

Review: Hope In Anguish - East West
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/eastwest/hopeinanguish.shtml

Review: The Gadfly - LPG
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/lpg/gadfly.shtml

Review: Holy Culture - The Cross Movement
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/crossmovement/holyculture.shtml

Review: Worship Again - Michael W. Smith
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/michaelwsmith/worshipagain.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

!HERO: THE ROCK OPERA - VARIOUS
This fall, Eddie DeGarmo's musical based on the life of Christ will be
performed across the country. You can hear the music of !Hero first through
this double-disc collection that features all the performers: Michael Tait,
Rebecca St. James, Matt from Sanctus Real, T-Bone, and many more. Also,
check out some nice-lookin' comic books based on the story of !Hero.

A MOMENT OF IMPERFECT CLARITY - SPOKEN
Hardcore fans know Spoken is the good stuff. Their non-stop touring and
relentless distorted guitars will keep fans happy with this, their fourth
release.

THE BIGGEST OF THEM ALL - JURNY BIG
Although LPG is calling it quits, one half of the crew has their solo CD for
you to listen to. His Tunnel Rats friends help produce the album, which is
full of honest flows about his life and Jesus Christ.

STEREO MOTION (self-titled)
Their first single, "Rise," features a catchy rock 'n' roll sound for an
exciting new debut from Flicker Records. But don't be fooled, you might
recognize these guys as the band Phat Chance, only they're not a boy band
anymore. However, it seems that their transformation to rock is good enough
to be the PICK OF THE WEEK.

WHO WOULD HAVE GUESSED - SKY HARBOR
Here's yet another new band with the pop/rock bent. Of course, they have a
bit of work to distinguish them from the multitude of others, but I guess
we'll find out.


Thanks for reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with
even more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@.... We'd love to hear
from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
AOL IM - dMusicWeb