*** Company Flow

FUNCRUSHER PLUS

(Rawkus/Official)

Hip-hop fans looking for an extreme change of pace need look no further than New York's Company Flow. Although most of the rap world swims in the inflated materialism typified by Puff Daddy, Lil' Kim, and Jay-Z, this trio of B-Boy seditionists have quietly come up with one of the more innovative, progressive, important rap releases of the past several years. Backed by DJ Mr. Len, rappers El-P and Bigg Jus fire off relentless lyrical barrages bolstered by booming, ultra-raw beats unlike anything that's been heard since the Bomb Squad went into hiding years ago. Like the bad kid who uses his detention time to dream up more havoc to wreak, these guys are out to do as much damage to the hip-hop status quo as possible. With their restless energy, originality, and sense of purpose, they may just succeed.

-- Brian Coleman

(Company Flow perform next Thursday, September 18, at Hex with 7L & Esoteric and DJ Ninja B.)