The CUF: Caviar Vol. 1

Sacramento’s The CUF—it stands for California Underground Funk—layer funky bass and synth lines with clever, polysyllabic rhymes courtesy of MCs Crush, Pete, Brotha RJ, Taktics and N8 the Gr8. (Yeah, I know.) Tunes like “Flame Lit” and “We Got More” lay down lazy, almost trip-hop beats, while quicker tunes like “I’m Too Much” and “Larry Lay” channel a more energetic vibe. Samples are varied and lively, ranging from electric guitars to lounge-piano tinkling, and while nothing here could be described as groundbreaking, there is undeniable pleasure in hearing a crew rhyme with cleverness and competence. As for lyrical content, most songs are primarily concerned with how cool, def, dope, etc. the various members of the band are. That isn’t a huge surprise, either, so if you’re looking for some mindlessly fun, funky beats, this record may be for you.