Rating: 4 Pulses

Mix hip-hop, rhythm and blues, a dash of soul, two large local rappers, and throw in a little reality, and you have the recipe Jabba Jaw used for its latest release, Unleashed.

Throughout the album, Jabba Jaw members Big Unk and Tshon draw upon a variety of musical genres, providing a fresh, confident style towards their mix of Midwest and Dirty South rap and hip-hop roots. Nominated for Independent Rap Artist of the Year with the SEA (Southern Entertainment Awards) and receiving play on 101.1 FM with their latest single ’Sugar High,’ Jabba Jaw describes the reality of the poor, rural South, bringing forth an honest account of country life and the workingman blues.

Working with other local artists such as Blaze, Jelly Roll and Rio Moore, Jabba Jaw has become a contender in the Southeast, gathering a strong, loyal, multicultural fan base. The lyrics create a juxtaposition between racial divide and the affairs of the heart, attempting to bring these parallel ideas into one intersecting point. The beats are cohesive and tight, stripping down to dark, deep melody and vibrant harmonies. And the catchy vocals are delivered with a smooth swagger.

’Sugar High’ delivers an account of the days of youth and the problems of growing up.

Other songs such as ’Hard Times’ describe how hard the music lifestyle can be, where people sometimes never get to see their true inner soul. ’Stay Strong’ and ’Panty Line’ reveal the inner workings of the Southern party lifestyle, bringing together infectious groove and quick, solid flow.

Managed by A.G. Entertainment, Jabba Jaw delivers an impressive 15-song album that packs a lot of rhythm and soul in each track. Dedicated to Tshon’s brother, Derek Taylor, who was murdered, the album reveals at times a dark undertone of past regret, anger, and reminiscence.

Overall, the album is well planned, giving the listener a variety of upbeat material and slower, darker material. On the surface, Jabba Jaw may seem like the ordinary hip-hop/rap group just trying to make it, but there is also a feeling that the music is a way for Jabba Jaw to express their political and social concerns.

Despite the great display of complex lyrics and solid beats, the album does present some d’j’ vu for the listener, partly because the sound is familiar. Although the sound does manage to meet popular hip-hop guidelines, sometimes using commercial sensibility can make groups sound the same’but at least lyrically and stylistically the album sets itself apart from the others.

Check out Jabba Jaw’s latest shows and info at myspace.com/jabbajawmusic.