Most supergroups don’t usually like being called supergroups, perhaps out of sheer modesty, or the fact that they don’t like riding on the popularity of their other musical credentials. Whether they like it or not, though, Corporate Lo-Fi are a supergroup, and one with an impressive resume at that; Sun Valley Crew, the Itchyworms, Sugarfree, Wahijuara, Ciudad, Saxophoro, Bagetsafonik, and Salindiwa are just a number of the dynamic Filipino outfits that the members of Corporate Lo-Fi have hailed from. But in reality, this nine-piece hip hop juggernaut doesn’t need any affiliations or qualifications to ride on, as their music itself is nothing but first-rate stuff, with MCs RyanArmamento and Marcushiro spewing and juggling rhymeslike they’ve been doing it since birth, bassist ApolDy-Yap and drummer Groovemaster K2 keeping it tight and sticky, guitarists KakoyLegaspi and Justin Case adding sonic oomph and six-string flash, keyboardist Leo Saño giving a dash of color, and horn section Richie Gonzaga (trumpet) and Roxy Modesto (baritone sax) providing the much-needed edge and “coolness factor” over the competition. Live, their individual reputations may give the Corporate Lo-Fi an instant audience, but their collective prowess gives them converts. Their independently-produced debut CD (aptly titled The First Album, released in March 2009)is packed with more than enough hooks and sonic goodies to please even non-hip hop fans, as it has a little of everything (funk, dub, jazz, rock, blues, R&B, and of course, rap) mixed into one volatile but satisfying concoction. It’s practically a party that’s twelve tracks long, with a bangin’ onset, both high and subdued points all throughout, and a gratifying ending that makes you feel glad you showed up and stayed until it was over. Whether onstage and on record, the music of Corporate Lo-Fi is an experience worth being subjected to, again and again. And that quality alone makes them a supergroup, in the truest sense of the term. Sometimes, it’s good to believe the hype.