Rhyme N Rhythm

By Damon Hodge

Thursday, July 3, 2008 | midnight

Press materials for Rhyme N Rhythm describe the group as a hip-hop soul funk experience, but its seven-song demo could more aptly be described as Pharcyde-ish bonhomie mixed with Roots-ish musicality. Nearly as interesting as the songs— the weed-deifying “Double Clap” stands out—is the group’s backstory: its diversity (representing six states and two continents) and size (12 artists including four emcees, a DJ, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, saxophonist, trumpeter, drummer and conga player). It all congeals on “Hello Groove,” a smoothed-out, feel-good song that serves as their fitting introduction to the world.

The bottom line:***1/2