Lifesavas preview

Lifesavas
Subterranean, Chicago
Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Portland-based hip-hop trio Lifesavas reemerge with the soundtrack to an aborted blaxploitation film, filling in the crevasses with an eclectic sampling of styles — all except the one you’d most expect.

As they tromp on the Subterranean stage Tuesday, Lifesavas won’t be pimping a gangsta theme. Gutterfly: The Original Soundtrack (Quannum) could be the least self-serious hip-hop album of the decade that’s not an outright joke. The hook to “Double Up” comes off like De La Soul attempting to write a children’s song, even if it’s ostensibly about gambling. The title track, featuring Camp Lo, revives the glitzy ghetto-tropicalia Jay-Z tried to master with R. Kelly, clinking glasses while scantily clad femininas flood the club. “No Surprise” channels Kanye and Common, “Shine Language” latches onto new-millennium Dre, and “The Squeeze” calls on the RZA’s chilling beats for Wu-Tang.

Theoretically, Lifesavas producer Jumbo could just show up and spin, and all would be right. On top of him, however, are MCs Vursatyle and Shines, who dig into their roles as Bumpy Johnson and Jimmy Slimwater without turning their characters into cartoons. Hoping they bring along some of the album’s guests (George Clinton, Dead Prez, Vernon Reid) might be asking too much, especially when Lifesavas’ fantasy world already delivers.

DJ Marc Sense, Strange Fruit Project, and Kid Static open.

— Steve Forstneger

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly