The definition of Luminous Flux is Luminous: flux is a quantitative expression of the brilliance of a source of visible light, which is electromagnetic energy within the wavelength range of approximately 390 nanometers (nm) to 770 nm. This quantity is measured in terms of the power emitted per unit solid angle from an isotropic radiator, a theoretical point source that radiates equally in all directions in three-dimensional space.

There is a source of visible light in the Philly streets representing the very meaning of what it is to be Luminous Flux in the context of Hip Hop culture embodied in a curious duo of female emcees who have taken the moniker as their own. Group member Tysh asserts that "we chose the name 'cause we thought that being able to calculate the rate that light can be seen hitting a surface was extreme precision. That is part of who we aspire to be."

Luminous Flux is about as far from what you envision when thinking of the female rappers representing Philly. EVE or Ms. Jade they ain't. Tay and Tysh got a style all their own, a sound they've been tweaking since they first connected back in 94' . With They Walk Among Us this becomes quickly and evidently clear. The album plays more as a soundtrack of the streets than the sound of the streets. The material contained within is heady, Afrocentric, rule breaking, conscious, proud, experimental and for lack of a better term; organized noise. I mean this only in the most positive of ways.

Luminous are two accomplished sistas with more than enough passion in their lyrics and beats to carry the album from drawing board to the record store shelf. Tracks from Love Me to Imani to Sometimes all showcase the depth of Tay and Tysh's mental. Musically, the beats seem to exist only to compliment the queens' words. They get the job done and are skillfully arranged but will undoubtedly fly over the heads of the casual rap fan and be accused of uninspired monotony. I guess it all depends on where the listener is coming from in respect to their own mental.

The two tracks that could easily be thrown on a mixtape and find the largest audience for LF are Luminous On Twist and to a lesser degree, Infamous Word. Consequently, Luminous On Twist is probably the album's best song from a Hip Hop perspective due to the combination of groove, flow and confident lyricism.

They Walk Among Us contains an alluring feminine rawness percolating smack dab in the middle of a magnetic field that will either repel you far away or suck you right into it. I'm into it. Nuff said...

Check out Luminous Flux at awol.orjector.org

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Review by Funk Wizard Snow
Editor- PhillyHipHop.com
April, 2003