| Having practically discovered Macy Gray--introducing the world to the craggy voiced phenomenon on their debut long-player Behind The Front--it's hardly surprising they've called in the favour, getting her to guest on the hip-pop "Request Line" that closes the BEP's second coming, Bridging The Gap. An appropriate artist and title for an album that continues the group's 'hip-hop for the masses' ethic, supplying a steady flow of block party tunes ("Weekend", "Magic"), hard rap cuts ("It's On") and endless chart possibilities (Macy's "Request Line" and the Wyclef-featuring "Rap Song"). With no gang or sociological agendas to their lyrical content, the BEPs aim only to unite musical communities, serving up crowd pleasers designed to break down the barriers between true hip-hop and the charts: this is radio-friendly rap that doesn't veer too far over the slickness line (Ã la Puffy). And it works. The mixing of commercial tunes with the hardcore integrity of tracks like "On My Own" (feat. Les Nubian and Mos Def) and "Cali to New York" (feat. De La Soul) is seamless. It matters not the style, it's the quality that counts--and on that front, Bridging The Gaps is supremely blessed. --Dan Gennoe |
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