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Having been named as one to watch, alongside Kanye West and Little Brother, back in Spring 2003, Columbus Ohio based MC Illogic disappeared, seemingly without trace, shortly after the release of his album ‘Celestial Clockwork.’ Taking the grown-man route of looking after his responsibilities the married father of three realized that his career was hurting his home life, so took a backseat in the game while Kanye and Little Brother gained their increasing exposure. But you can’t keep a good man down and now, some years later, the lyrically acclaimed Illogic is back with his new album release, ‘Diabolical Fun.’ Opening with ‘What’s My Name,’ Illogic introduces himself once more with the proclamation that he is “gangster like Bob Marley, Malcolm, Chuck D and Marcus Garvey.” With solid production from Ill Poetic this 12-track return is never the less certainly something for the lyrically minded, as Illogic’s poetics rule the set. Indeed, Ill Poetic is the only other voice that Illogic deems it necessary to include, as the producer delivers some rhymes himself on ‘Crash.’ Delivering his critical treatise on the state of hip-hop, Illogic brings the fine ‘What Happened?’ while Ill Poetic adds some cuts to the mix, before fading matters down with a slow, guitar backed, break. However, matters are not all about hip-hop, as Illogic brings some story rhyming on ‘I Know You.’ With memorable couplets littered throughout the album, it is clear that Illogic has some true skills in the manner of other lyrical MCs, like Ras Kass. However, like Ras Kass, there is an Achilles heel in Illogic’s work, in that his underground heroics can overlook the need for the commercial edge to push his message to the masses. With all the hallmarks of an underground phenomenon, Illogic’s brand of diabolical fun is one that will gain plaudits in ciphers, but may find less takers in the mainstream. This is, sadly, a problem that many of hip-hop’s most poetically gifted seem to face, as they appear to strive to stay out of the commercial arena, which names like Kanye West embraced. However, if underground, headphone poetics are your thing then Illogic has plenty of firepower in his lyrical arsenal. ‘Diabolical Fun’ is a fine (re) introduction to this gifted MC, here’s hoping he can take his skills to a wider audience.