Artist – Album: Blackilicious – Blazing Arrow
Released: 30th
April 2002
Sounds Like: you’d like it
In rock, collaborations tend to be tedious, self-gratifying
affairs designed to knock out a cheap hit single or when the respective parties
have begun to run out of ideas. They remain rare things, and rarer still
(almost on a par with a talking unicorn) is a good team up. For whatever reason
– perhaps it’s a more sharing environment, or maybe the players are simply less
pretentious – this is definitely not the case in hip hop and rap circles. Here,
everyone gets in on the act, dishing out a verse each to all and sundry, or
backing up the lead singer’s words with sporadic bleats of ‘yeah’, like a mild
Tourette’s sufferer. Today’s album Blazing Arrow sees Blackalicious backed by
some of the finest artists in the scene, with De La Soul and members of
Jurassic 5 and Dilated Peoples getting in on the act, as well as less hip hop
orientated artists such as Ben Harper, Zack de la Rocha and Gil Scott-Heron.
Not only that, but the likes of DJ Shadow and ?uestlove appear as superstar
producers.
Although they certainly don’t take anything away from the
mix, Blackalicious’ skill and invention is such that this would still be a
great listen even without the stellar supporting cast. Words are fired out with
startling flow and consistency, and settle on each witty set up only briefly
before moving on to the next, at a pace that leaves you gasping for breath.
Their particular brand of hip hop sounds more modern than it is to me. It
reminds of Action Bronson and Kendrick Lamarr, as well as more obvious
references such as Outkast and Lupe Fiasco.
The title tracks samples seventies troubadour Harry Nilsson,
has a bubbly backing (is that bong water, or something more innocent?), and
culminates in a crescendo of strings. ‘First
in Flight’ features the legendary Scott-Heron and is an impressive pulsating
synthy effort. The distinctively voiced Chali 2na from Jurassic 5 (he sounds
like an energetic Barry White rapping) brings the best out of ‘400 Miles’. The whole album is a great refreshing listen
and enhances the reputation of everyone involved. It’s also immediately
loveable. Give it a spin.
Albumaday... rating:
8/10
1. Introduction:
Bow and Fire – 1:06
2. Blazing
Arrow – 2:40
3. Sky
Is Falling – 2:26
4. First
in Flight – 4:32
5. Green
Light: Now Begin – 3:12
6. 4000
Miles – 4:35
7. Nowhere
Fast – 6:41
8. Paragraph
President – 5:09
9. It’s
Going Down – 3:44
10. Make
You Feel That Way – 3:26
11. Brain
Washers – 6:22
12. Chemical
Calisthenics – 3:21
13. Aural
Pleasure – 4:47
14. Passion
– 3:54
15. Purest
Love – 4:03
16. Release
(Part 1, 2 & 3) – 9:26
17. Day
One – 4:52
Listen to ‘Blazing
Arrow’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdrossKXGb4
Also released on the 30th April:
2002: Trey Anastasio – Trey Anastasio
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