Lifesavas
Rap / Hip Hop
On Spirit in Stone, their highly anticipated debut album, LIFESAVAS refreshes your love for the sheer power of good hip-hop. Maybe it’s VURSATYL and JUMBO the Garbageman’s head-spinning, brain-jarring verses. Maybe it’s JUMBO’s bottom-heavy, soul-stirring, jangly beats. Whatever it may be, after one listen to Portland, Oregon’s LIFESAVAS you’ll know you’re hearing something truly special — something completely moving, engaging, and most importantly, real.
Says JUMBO, "hip-hop music is our destiny," reminding fans and artists alike that "we are a part of the culture that made it happen." Despite strong influences like De La Soul, Freestyle Fellowship, Organized Konfusion, Rakim, Fugees, Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, Gift of Gab, The Roots, Gangstar, Righteous Teachers, The Last Poets, and Slum Village, one can immediately notice LIFESAVAS’ signature "staggered swagger" when DJ Rev. SHINES drops the groove. The movement and raw energy translates into a dynamic live performance that creates a balance of musicality and raw anthems. As all the pieces come together, the beats dangle dangerously between melodic vocal stylings and the overall soundscape. JUMBO prides himself on grooves that few producers would touch. With JUMBO’s rusty shovel and Rev. Shines’ boundless knowledge of music LIFESAVAS dig deeper into the crate to find the foundation for their sound. It is an intricate approach, and an immediately recognizable production style — an approach JUMBO refers to as "trash appeal."
Testament to his talent, VURSATYL’s soulful, deeply moving voice can float seamlessly between rapping and singing — a gift spawned by both the church and the streets alike. "Livin’ Time / Life: Movement 1" featuring Blackalicious’ Gift of Gab is a celebration of life that bleeds into "Fever," LIFESAVAS’ dancehall-meets-hip-hop tribute to Tenor Saw. "Hellohihey" is a stunningly executed adventure inside VURSATYL’s mind, calling into question the ego that simultaneously threatens and drives hip-hop. "Selector" featuring infamous emcee/DJ/school teacher J-Live, admires the DJ’s role, while "State of the World" laments just that via a waterfall of VURSATYL’s smokey, jazz-layered vocals. "Emerge" featuring Blackalicious, DJ Shadow, Lateef the Truthspeaker, Joyo Velarde and Lyrics Born is a beautiful stew of rhymes and scratches.
|