Shabazz Palaces - Black Up '2011

Tracks list

Only a little more than a year after releasing two EPs -- a self-titled one, and
Of Light -- Seattle's Shabazz Palaces signed to Sub Pop for their full-length
debut. Even on a high-profile label, former Digable Planets member Ishmael
Butler (formerly Butterfly) maintains a shroud of mystique, rapping under the
facade of Palaceer Lazaro and purposely avoiding publicity, interviews, and
liner credits. Considering his long-term time in the game, his wordplay is still
surprisingly relevant, and, masked as Lazaro, he reinvents himself by adding an
air of sophistication to the persona of a streetwise gangster. Jazz references
are no longer the norm and Butler steers away from the blaxploitation slang and
rhymes about being an insect or a creamy spy, but he still has a distinctive,
surreal style of flowing. Compared to former albums by Digable Planets,
Cherrywine, Camp Lo (Butler guested on some of their tracks), or even on the
prior Shabazz Palaces EPs (which were pretty dark to begin with), Black Up is a
much harder-edged album. There are no obvious singles, and the beats are murky,
splintered, and synthesized, reminiscent of the space-age rap of acts like
Deltron 3030, Kool Keith, and Dälek. In a year when minimal production is on
the upswing -- a trend highlighted by the enormous buzz surrounding Odd Future
and Tyler, the Creator's bare-boned productions -- Shabazz Palaces seems
perfectly in tune with a modern underground movement that embraces the most
ominous and difficult aspects of hip-hop. As the mainstream becomes more and
more predictable, Shabazz Palaces’ inscrutability is a welcome change.
Because the beats are so abstract, roots take precedent, and a strong presence
on the microphone becomes the most important aspect. Butler fills this role with
ease. His smooth, sparkling rhymes glue Knife Knights' watery environment
together to create a provocative listen from start to finish.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Shabazz Palaces - free press and curl (4:15)
1.02 - Shabazz Palaces - An echo from the hosts that profess infinitum (3:15)
1.03 - Shabazz Palaces - Are you... Can you... Were you? (Felt) (4:48)
1.04 - Shabazz Palaces - A treatease dedicated to The Avian Airess from North
East Nubis (1000 questions, 1 answer) (2:46)
1.05 - Shabazz Palaces - Youlogy (3:59)
1.06 - Shabazz Palaces - Endeavors for Never (The last time we spoke you said
you were not here. I saw you though.) (2:51)
1.07 - Shabazz Palaces - Recollections of the wraith (3:35)
1.08 - Shabazz Palaces - The King's new clothes were made by his own hands
(2:07)
1.09 - Shabazz Palaces - yeah you (3:21)
1.10 - Shabazz Palaces - Swerve... the reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir
not withstanding) (5:10)

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