When asked to name a current crew that conceptualizes to the standard set by Public Enemy and their crack production team, the Bomb Squad, hip-hop historian Harry Allen didn't hesitate before saying, "The Dungeon Family. I think those guys are scientists." That's an observant description of the Atlanta-based collective, featuring Goodie Mob, Outkast, and Society of Soul alongside the production teams Organized Noize and Earth Tone 3. Even in Darkness displays the ensemble's ability to isolate various elemental aspects of hip-hop and recombine them into fresh-sounding, organically pure compositions. Breaking it down, you'll find you're on Planet Rock: a strong portion of Funkadelic mixed in with second-generation bass culture, turntablism, and sweet soul harmonies (courtesy of Cee-Lo and the amazing Sleepy Brown). But don't get nervous--conceptualization does not mean intellectualization. These are straight-up hip-hop party tunes, floss rhymes and all. As the Dungeon Family themselves advise, "Follow the lights, they lead to something." Something exceptional. --Rebecca Levine
