In rap’s long-standing tradition of rappers extending the record label wealth to their friends, the Outkast and Goodie Mob  collective, better known as the Dungeon Family (and once called ‘Red Clay’ for you trivia buffs), unites to spotlight itself and several of its lesser known up & comers, with the debut album, “Even In Darkness”.

With such a large family tree, “Even In Darkness” has its high points as well as its lows, from show stealing moments from Andre 3000 and Cee Lo , to blahzay-blah selections from lesser known members of the fam. Extrodinarily well produced by Organized Noize and Earthtone 3 , the album bangs from top to bottom just as well as any album from Outkast or the Goodie-good, but is also like listening to a D12  or Roc-A-Fella Dynasty album, only truly bringing warrented smiles to fan’s faces when the stars are shining. “Crooked Booty” kicks the door down, quickly followed by “Trans DF Express”, both travelling on the Outkast patented Stankonia railroad. The electrofunk inflenence of Andre and Big Boi carries the way, if not outshined by Goodie Mob frontman Cee-Lo, when he breathlessly tears through awesome tracks like “6 Minutes (Dungeon Family It’s On)” or “White Guts” (also featuring a notable cameo from Bubba Sparxxx ).

But again, the Trans DF Express slows it speeds at times when some of the others take center stage on sub-par tracks like “What Iz Rap”, “Excalibur”, “Forever Pimpin’” or “They Comin’”. Nevertheless, the chemistry between the whole family is beautifully orchestrated on neatly packaged tracks like “Follow The Lights”, with memorable moments from Dungeon Family crooner Sleepy Brown , or the infectious “On & On & On”.

What this album does prove is the fact that the Dungeon Family is not only the tighest knit rap family the South has to offer, but also the most talented, in terms of pushing the envelope. Even more so, it restores faith in it’s core members, and creates excitement for their future endevors