Variable Unit is the point at which hip-hop and jazz collide. As both genres rely heavily on improvisation (freestyle) and a fundamental bassline, the concept of fusing them together isn't too far out there. VU is drummer Ron E. Beck, keyboardist Kat Ouano, upright bassist Matt Montgomery and hornman Jon Birdsong (on trumpet and tuba). Adding hip-hop flavor are DJ Zeph and lyricist Azeem (on "The Promise" and "Eighties Product"). This album showcases the rhythmic aspects of hip-hop: breakbeats, scratching, etc., elevating hip-hop to a level beyond heavy sampling and lyrical braggadocio. Standouts (and the more hip-hop influenced tracks on the album) include the funkalicious "Jumentous," "Seven Grain" and "Dr. J. Dub," the latter an amazing juxtaposition of dub, scratching and jazz improv on the bass. The beauty of said juxtaposition (and the genius of the entire album) lies in the fact that all these disparate musical elements, culled from such a wide array of genres, work so well together - and do so coherently. This album will definitely expand your preconceived notions of hip-hop's contribution to music, and subsequently what its legacy will be.

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