A superb collaboration between two hugely influential innovators – producer Brian Burton and rapper and co-founder of The Roots, Tarik Luqmaan Trotter – packed with fabulously sharp hip hop, soul and funk samples and guests, including a lost verse from the much missed MF DOOM. That particular track, Belize, was previously unused from the great 2005 DangerDoom album. But every track is a gem, from the soulful opener Sometimes, the title track (previously highlighted on Song of the Day), The Darkest Part, with a lovely soulful piano part and guest Raekwon and Kid Sister, the deliciously funky No Gold Teeth (sampling Hugh Masekela’s Stop), Aquamarine with Micheal Kiwanuka, the dark, mysterious Identical Deaths, Strangers featuring A$AP Rocky and Run The Jewels, or the dramatic, cinematic Saltwater with Conway The Machine. On every listen there’s more to discover, rich in layers, textures and samples, digging wonderful obscurities into something very new, from everyone from Gwen McCrae on Sometimes to Federal Duck on Belize, sophisticated, clever, articulate rapping addressing everything from racism to opioids, climate change, and a full range of cultural nuance. Mature, witty, soulful, razor sharp, super cool, and taking no prisoners. Straight to the top of the album of the year shortlist. Out on BMG.
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