Coming from the Windy City aka Chi-Town is All Natural, a fresh new group that debuted independently a year or two back, with their first three song 12 inch “50 Years”/”MC Avenger”/”Hip Hop History 101″. These two avengers for the art we call hip-hop seem to be fed up with the current state of hip-hop, and let it be known throughout the album. The tracks are mostly produced by the crew themselves, with the exception of a few outside producers, such as NO I.D. who also contribute to this 14 song CD. Cuts like “It’s O.K.” are positive head-nodders, that rank up there with the likes of their hometown hero Common, while “Phantoms Of The Opera” is an ill tale about the mysterious disappearences of wack emcees plaguing this industry. The singles also reappear, making their debut on CD format, including the especially nice “50 Years.” As an added piece, the album comes with a 100 page booklet of comics, lyrics and more, all coming from the minds of All Natural.

It’s obvious these kids hearts are in the right place. But sadly, many will be quick to label them another group of indy mad rappers. While they are putting in an honest effort to create some true hip-hop, much of that effort is lost due to sometimes unexciting production and an undefined delivery that lacks the magnetism that many other so-called mad rappers have, such as our favorites Black Thought or De La Soul. For those of you who are deperately trying to find the next hot independent act, this one is for you, but sadly it may not phase the rest of us.