Blu & Exile - 'Below the Heavens'
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Grade: A-
As the current state of hip-hop music is congested with simplistic hooks, keyboard beats, elementary rhyme schemes and generic images, it's beyond refreshing to hear an offering deviating from the usual formula. Blu, a fresh new voice hailing from the city of Lost Angels and a Detroit semi-veteran on the underground circuit, named Exile, have combined talents to culminate one of the best offerings I've heard in a long time. Blu's personal yet braggadocios rhymes bless Exile's Detroit based, layered drums & graceful sample laced tracks, all with a chemistry reminiscent of CL Smooth and the great Pete Rock.
At 22 years old, it's not difficult to see that Blu will be a prominent force during his time here. His cadence and content are thorough from the opening 'My World Is...', where he confidently introduces himself over a stuttering horn loop and vocal sample randomly shouting "blue!!!", to the closing 'The World Is...' giving his honest insight of what drives a person to rebel in the face of normality and their personal hells vs. heavens. One of my favorite tracks is 'The Narrow Path', another focal point of the albums conceptual premise of personal struggle, where Blu effortlessly cuts through Exile's mellow dramatic yet uplifting production with his naturally stylish vocal delivery.
Those primarily interested in production will find that Exile is no lackey either. Each track has that signature Detroit essence, but without conforming to the expected synth-tinged sound. On the track 'I Am...' he even steps into the vocal booth, bullying wack emcees and going back and forth with Blu, proving he is a threat on both sides of the board. When it's become the full circle commonality for one producer to lay the backdrop for entire albums, it's tough to find LP's diverse enough to enjoy from beginning to end. But as The RZA did with 'Enter the 36 Chambers' in 1993, Exile provides an entertaining soundscape ranging from serious to downright silly, all while maintaining his signature sound.
For those who love good hip-hop music, I recommend purchasing this album. And for those who hate hip-hop music, I recommend purchasing this album as an opportunity to experience just how good hip-hop can be outside of Viacom's bullshit influence.
See the video for 'So(ul) Amazing' here:
I know... it's dope.
- Arablak
Labels: AlbumReviews
posted by Arablak @ 3:00 AM,
