Rating: NN
A loose coalition of artists who share a hiphop inspiration, the Vancouver-based Lost Tribes of the Sun are convinced that releasing the Renewal CD of various like-minded dub poets, spoken-word artists and rappers celebrating the life cycle in rhyme will make the world a better place. It’s a pleasant notion, but however admirable the intent, the zealously whispered positive recitations of Toronto’s Kamau, d’bi.young and Dov Gray along with Vancouver MCs Benjamin Arcé and Namesake of the hiphop group the Front sound earnest enough to work as an entertaining parody of a conscious rap comps. Not a single rugged drumbeat is heard, just the sweetly lulling sounds of whooshy string samples. Evidently, the Lost Tribes of the Sun have strict rules against being positive and funky. The Front play a NXNE showcase at the Kathedral Friday (June 11).
