Reviewed by Steve Hayes

GreenJade were pioneers in the UK gospel/tru-skool hip-hop scene. This final project, released back in December 2010, encapsulates all that was outstanding about GreenJade. It fires up with the funky and humourous "That Sugar" as the group focus on the tough looking hoodies and a mean girl and look to inject sugar, inspired by the Messiah's name. The soul flavour continues through the album with the grooving and challenging "More Things Change" as the emcees point to the changes in life, bringing a humble and wise response to life's change and yet seeing how things stay the same. The project is filled with tasty beats such as the pulsating "After The Show" and "Souled Out". There is also some telling social commentary with Christ-filled solutions to many problems, from the girl who doesn't know real love (in "Star"), through to the challenge to black fathers to be good role models ("Fathers Day"). There's a considerable depth in GreenJade's rhymes (the excellent "Time Travellers") contrasting sharply with much of the commercial hip-hop out there. We end with the emotionally charged "Good Bye" which contains valuable lessons, moving testimony and with a message that is like an album within a song. GreenJade will be missed but as they say, it's time to pass on the baton.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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