Banging hip hop lyricism and turntablism is something that has been on the rise with our left coast artists for a while now. The west coast is known for churning out ex-gang members into thug rappers, but clearly the alternate route is not their forte. Coming thousands of miles away from the mecca of purist artists, NYC, the Wild West Records artists The Urbanites are no fools and are going against the hometowns grain. They definately know what they are doing and extend their skills to our ears to enjoy their mastery of the language. The group is compromised of three members, DJ I.C.D. providing most of the beats, and two trade-off emcees, 3rd Degree and Kaboom. The thing that binds the trio together is their amazing efficiency that remains enjoyable yet simplisitic, and their superb chemistry between all three. The chemistry between Kaboom and 3rd Degree could be related to the best of them, their lyrical trade offs are reminiscent of De La Soul and Jurassic 5. They group hails from a success thanks to a great single that was promoted by LA radio personalities, Sway and Tech.

The first cut on the seven track EP is 'Lyrically Liable," on which the simple beat hits very hard behind the tongue twisting mc's verses. Trading back rhymes at the tracks jump off they show why they are tops, "You won't find me in every battle contest, my conquest, my prominence, is world dominance its obvious, whats apparent to all is that we won't fall, magnifence ever since we heeded the call." Their ability to jump into each others rhymes seemlessly makes it hard to figure out with MC is rhyming and where the other one begins speaking. They stay fresh and energy filled on tracks 'Rock The Spot', which sounds like a Slum Village track beatwise, and on 'Shock The World.' On a playful track, 'The Most,' 3rd Degree and Kaboom tell you how hard they are working at their craft of rocking our eardrums. Telling it straight up in the midst of the track and alluding to Slick RIck, "Don't get your chain snatched, wearing patch eyes like the rulers back, offa buddah sack, I ruin that shine shine get up, I'm spilling Moet and Don P on nig**s gators in Vegas, on the street with alllll the major players." But the chorus is the most compelling lines of the track simply put, "You and them watered down-a** beats, you doing the most, spittin' those unrealistic raps, you doing the most, and those janky a** contracts, you doing the most, trying to flash on a brother I crush the mother fu**er."

Out of all the tracks that I would bang every day in my car, I would listen to "Vin-Detta" the most often. Displaying a playful beat and humor filled rhymes the Urbanites bring the song full circle with all their skills being displayed. DJ I.C.D. using sampled guitar riffs and iridescent high hats and bass kicks he echoes the rhyme sayers lines exceptionally. Lending production help the resident beat maker, Dj Rhettmatic of the amazing Beat Junkies supports the Urbanites on 'Associated.' Featuring underground comrads, The Visionaries, this tracks antics are clear in the chorus. Its basically a medley whereas each MC spits a group of verses with a chorus or a little turntable cutting in the middle between. "Don't know what to fight for, preoccupied with getting faded, gangrene emcee's get lyrically amputated," best step back.

In totality the album is solid and consistent in almost every way. THe problem is just that, its TOO consistent. Theres no filler, yet there is only two clear standout tracks that I would skip to right off the bat. This is not a considerable problem though, and this trio should go far with the right marketing to the general public. Already fan favorites in underground LA and a mainstay on college radio stations they are much beloved already. Realizing todays current trend of underground groups gaining popularity company in rhyme should go very far. Good luck.