Reviewed by Steve Best

Formed over 10 years ago by Rebekah Kirschke out of a vision to use hip-hop to help with anti-drug mission work, New Race put this latest album, their third, out last year, and I have to say that it's a breath of fresh air. Using a huge variety of ethnic influences - Latin on Missy Elliot-styled opener "Time 2 Get Up" and "Hable Me", funk on "The Whole Shebang", Eastern influences on "Shake 'em Off" and "Doin' This 4". There are some quality ballads on offer too, all wrapped in a cutting edge production and featuring lyrics that are uncompromising and unambiguous. This is a record that can hold its head up high in the company of ANY hip-hop being produced in the world today, and I can't speak too highly of it.

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