Front

The debut from Vancouver’s the Front shows that hip-hop is alive and well on the West Coast. Similar to Van City peers Sweatshop Union, the Front deliver a refreshing blend of funk-based beats and intelligent rhymes. MCs Jarrett Martineau and Benjamin Arcé split microphone duties while the remaining three members deliver a series of grooves, from the electro-funk opener "Power Theme” to the brooding "Born At All” and the cinematic "Sleeper Cell.” The disc even includes a bonus track of soulful house featuring crooning female vocals. Don’t front on the Front.