Gutterfly: The Original Soundtrack

Allegedly inspired by an unfinished '80s blaxploitation film, Gutterfly purports to chronicle the adventures of fearless "ghetto superheroes" in Razorblade City (a.k.a. Lifesavas' hometown of Portland, Oregon). Although the narrative coherence may be more in their minds than in the actual songs, passionate MCs Jumbo the Garbageman and Vurastyl have crafted a seriously funky mosaic. The mood shifts with dizzying abruptness, as the mellow flow of "No Surprise" gives way to the jittery pep talk "Shine Language," followed by the churchy textures of "Take Me Away" and the slinky antiviolence rap "A Serpent's Love." Mainstream hip hop could use some of their righteous chaos.