Kinfolk [Clean] (CD) by Ali & Gipp

Kinfolk is the long awaited collaborative album between a former member of the Goodie Mob and another familiar name in the rap world. And no, it's not Gnarls Barkley, the ridiculously popular duo of Cee-Lo and DJ Danger Mouse. Naw, Kinfolk is the product of Big Gipp and Ali of the St. Lunatics, and while it's not likely to be the massive runaway success as Gnarls Barkley's St. Elsewhere, it is one of the best collaborative albums to come out in a while and certainly one of the best albums out of the South in recent memory.

Actually, it's more appropriate to say this album is Dirty South rather than simply South. With Ali representing St. Louis and Gipp representing Atlanta (and a title that is distinctly Southern in its roots and usage), fans probably assumed that the album would be a country affair. But Kinfolk is so much more. This is a heaping bowl of gumbo with fried okra and cornbread on the side; this is Dirty South from start to finish.

Big Rube has graced Southern rap albums with his spoken-word poetry since the early '90s, so his verses on the intro track give a fantastic, thought provoking opening. But after that, it's a full-fledged blend of all styles east of the Mississippi River. Bass heavy bombs like "Hood" and "That's Me" are irresistible party jams. "Go 'Head" brings in some Tennessee flavor, "Lean'n" is pure finger-poppin' funk, while the booty-shaking bass of "Work Dat, Twerk Dat" has Miami written all over it.

Kinfolk is loaded with guest appearances, all of which are great. St. Lunatics founder Nelly appears on four tracks, most notably "N Da Paint," where he again proves that he can turn anything into a sports metaphor. Fellow St. Lunatic Murphy Lee has two appearances, "Work Dat, Twerk Dat" being his strongest. Three 6 Mafia dominates on "What's The Business," Cee-Lo flexes his crooning on "I Told Ya," and David Banner gets crunk on "Get On Da Floor"

Within Goodie Mob, Big Gipp was far from the standout member: Khujo had the best raw presence, T-Mo had the best flow, while Cee-Lo just stole the show every time he grabbed a mic. Similarly, Nelly, Murphy Lee and others within the St. Lunatics rendered Ali all but invisible. Yet these two overlooked MCs collaborated on an album that turns out to be a real gem. Kinfolk is a breakout affair for both rappers, allowing them to break from the shadows of the giants around them. It's also a smashing good time.

By Aaron Ellis