Reviewed by Andy Long

There's a bloke in a cage wearing sunglasses on the cover of this album! Quite heavy imagery that suggests hardcore gangsta rap, but the album itself has quite a mellow flavour (or should that be flava?). Even Steven's jazz-influenced hip hop is more reminiscent of GRITS or Godquest than Gospel Gangsta and it is these grooves that make 'Unshackled' quite easy on the ear. Mr Even himself has a powerful voice and displays the kind of self-assured confidence that is trademark to rap music. His lyrics are in-ya-face gospel with titles like "Born Again Man", "Thief In The Night" and "Glory Ta God". He closes the album with an appeal recorded at a gig and the evangelistic theme is made complete through a built in track included on the album sleeve.

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