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It would be an over simplification to say Somobe is next to carry the title of great Producer/MC tandem. Refusing to use samples, Roland Llapitan loops are as smooth as they are original. Setting the mood for reflection, Jonathan Owens lyrics are haunting and real. Sometimes packing the swagger of Jay-Z or the verbal manipulation of Kweli, Owens flow is pure gold. Try to think of a time when an MC spoke about the challenges of growing up in a house falling apart without playing the role of vengeful martyr or the consequences of drinking too much that don t end up in sleeping with someone that you regret. If we consider truly great communication to be that which doesn t obstruct reality, Somobe s debut isn t just a success; it is an instant classic. Not forcing positive vibes but providing honest and real observations that include suggestions for change. Long Days and We Need a Love Song show just how comprehensive, daring, and focused this impressive tandem is.
JIVE Magazine Rating: 5 out of 5

No catchy gimmicks, no special effects, dope beats, and dope rhymes. The group consists of two cats from Vegas, Jon D (the lyricist), and Bob J, a bass player who also constructs the beats with Jon D. As for the beats....they're amazing. Somobe s instrumentals have a laid back jazz feel, WITH NO SAMPLES. Yea, you heard me right, while most big name producers pull off average instrumentals by using something someone else already made, Somobe, or better yet, the Hooligans (the name the Vegas duo go by when producing) create great instrumentals completely from scratch. Jon d says anything that even sounds like a sample was created with the intention of sounding that way by the Hooligans. To me, the beats to Somobe s debut album The Great Communication are competing with anything you hear anywhere else, and destroying most of it. Me, I m a lyrics type of dude. I love dope instrumentals, but if you have dope instrumentals and whack lyrics....I can t really listen for long. Luckily, Jon D brings it lyrically. It s no wonder the group decided to include the lyrics to the songs on their MySpace page. As I listened to an advance copy of The Great Communication I tried remembering lines Jon D spits, but every time I find one that stands out, I end up forgetting it because he kicks another one. Sometimes it seems Jon comes up with some of the cleverest stuff, other times, it seems as if he goes outside, and his pen traces life on paper in the form of rhymes. Doubt me? Check the MySpace fam, the track Building is what emceeing is about. Jon doesn t go to heavy on the punch lines and they don t come off forced, yet they definitely connect. The flow is on beat and certainly on point, and the lyrics aren t realistic, they re just plain REAL. This was the first track I heard, and I was instantly hooked. (c) Brillyance

Allure is a New York-based female R&B girl group that formed in the early 1990s as a quartet, now a trio. Original members were Alia Davis, Linnie Belcher, Lalisha McClean and Akissa Mendez .

Allure got their chance when they met Poke of the Trackmasters production team, who gave them an audition in 1996. He was impressed and signed the girls to Trackmasters bestowing them with their name, Allure. It was through his help that the girls were able to become the first group signed to Mariah Carey's Crave Records under the name of Allure.

They were the first group to be signed to Mariah Carey's Crave Records. They released their debut self-titled album in 1997. The album featured the gold-selling single "Head Over Heels" (featuring Nas) (US #35), "All Cried Out" (featuring 112), a Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam cover and their biggest hit to date (US #4), and finally "Last Chance".

After being released from Mariah Carey's label, Allure signed with MCA Records in 2000, eventually issuing their second album "Sunny Days" in 2001. That album went unnoticed due to an almost invisible promotion campaign, yielding two singles: "Enjoy Yourself" (of which the remix featuring former collaborator LL Cool J), and "Kool Wit' Me" which was produced by Allstar. Soon after, member Linnie Belcher left the group, and they signed with NBA player Ron Artest's newly formed label, Truwarier Records, distributed by Lightyear Entertainment.

In 2002 they appeared in the Tom Jones' Mr. Jones album, in the song "The Letter". The album was produced by Wyclef Jean, Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis and Jones himself.

Late 2004 saw the release of their third album, aptly titled "Chapter III", in reference to their lineup change and this being their third album. It didn't become a big hit, seeing how it was on an independent label, although it did receive considerable press due to Ron Artest's suspension from the NBA that year. Two singles were released as well, 2004's "Uh Oh" featuring reggae artist Elephant Man, and 2005's "I Think I'm In Love" featuring rapper Joe Budden.

In late 2005 it was announced that Allure were finally returning to the UK after a 7 year absence from the charts. They had two hits in the UK, "Head Over Heels" which reached #18 and "All Cried Out" which managed a #12 peak. The band have been released through Truwarier Record's license deal with UK independent label NiceTunes and release their new single, a double 'a' side of "Hate 2 Luv U" and "Uh Oh" featuring Elephant Man on February 6, 2006. Their album "Chapter III" was released in the UK for the first time on January 30, 2006 and contains a UK exclusive track "You Are The Man" as well as a bonus remix of "Hate 2 Luv U".