Reviewed by Gareth Hills

Hip-hop, when done well, is a genre where street poets can gather and communicate depth and truth. In an age where much of the mainstream seems obsessed with sex and material gain, artists like Alan C Duncan remind us of just what the genre is capable of conveying, and this short set is a stellar example of what can be done when a talented rhyme-smith and inventive producer collaborate with the aim of imparting something significant. Alan is clearly no stranger to the world of rap and his verses and delivery speak of years of experience, reminding me of Nas in some places, and Christian rap legends Cross Movement. Foster's production and beats, meanwhile, are among the freshest I've heard in a long time, and his sampling is melodic yet inventive. "Floating Away" is a standout track in this regard, which plays off a raw, heavy beat against some sampled '70s soul, tying it together with a glockenspiel hook over the top. Christian rap sometimes has to walk a narrow path to avoid the pitfalls of cheesiness and preachiness, and it's a danger that the duo successfully manage to avoid, with lines reflecting the reality of the Christian struggle such as "We never thought we'd be the sort of people serving the Christ, but that's life" and "good intentions never finish, so they might as well have been bad". This duo have potential in buckets, and I'd urge you to head to Bandcamp right now and download this amazing piece of work - a record deal can't be far around the corner for these chaps.

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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