My how times have changed! Shortly after PhillyHipHop.com launched I trashed G.U.M.B.O. in one of our very first album reviews. I just wasn't moved by their flow and found some of it to be downright wack. Undaunted, these brothers thanked me for my honest feedback, fine tuned the lineup and have continued to spread their rep as true professionals. I was quick to dismiss G.U.M.B.O. and I'm just as quick to admit that what they've stepped with this time is promising.

This EP shows a focus, increased cohesiveness and musical basis that was missing from their earlier effort. The title track "Down By The River" is that organic Illadelph Hip Hop that we've come to know and love. Its sparse, spontaneous, jazzy funk riding an intentionally "tingy" drum machine backbeat. Its strays too far from center to garner any radio play but in reality that's a good thing. It demonstrates the crew's obvious growth. They display the same progressive feel on the done-before but clever "50 States." The objective is to name drop as many locations as possible in the shortest amount of time. Its lighthearted fun and succeeds primarily on the strength of a bouncy backbeat and infectious hook. The hook is the star on this one. The final cut is the glossier vibe of "Drop Top Benz." It demonstrates the diversity of a crew that call themselves Gumbo so its appropriate. As on the previous cut, the hook is the star on this one. The rhymes take on a choppier feel to accommodate the beat. There's still room for improvement (as can be said of nearly everyone) but the leap forward that G.U.M.B.O. has taken is beyond comprehension. They're slowly crafting a foundation that has an extreme upside.

They've made a believer out of me and that wasn't an easy task...

gumbocrew.com

Review by Funk Wizard Snow
Editor - Phillyhiphop.com
May, 2001