Reviewed by Chris Tozer

Dr Diego Chanca made his name as the ship's physician who healed Christopher Columbus of malaria when he discovered America. Chanca is also the name of a small medicinal herb indigenous to the tropical rainforests of the Amazon. In Spanish the word chanca means "grinding", but in Bournemouth it is the name of a Christian Urban hip-hop duo comprising of rap lyricist Nathan Bowles and vocalist Jenni Robinson. 'Dark In 2 Light' is their first album and has been on sale in local shops for a year or so already. This is an excellent debut. True, like others of its kind, it's crammed full with almost every cliché that exists in the English language but don't let that put you off as I guarantee that this album will really grow on you - given half a chance - pun intended. If you are a fan of hip-hop, trance and all things urban then this is the ideal disk to share with your non-Christian mates. Almost every track echoes the life-changing theme implied in the album's title and Bowles's lyrics are certainly hard hitting and thought provoking. The music, on the other hand, is decidedly mellow. These guys deserve a hearing on the secular airwaves. I hope they get it.

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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