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The year is 1993 and a new hip-hop trio under the name Digable Planets has just dropped a debut LP named Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) which is receiving excellent reviews for the fresh new blend of sound, carefully crafted instruments, and a wide array of samples produced by the groups own Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler. The group consists of Butterfly, who seems to be the front of the 3, Craig "Doodlebug" Irving, the played down low key member, and Mary Ann "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira, the female vocalist which really brings the hip-hop jazz fusion together. Success is achieved fast for the group after this release, and their first single “Rebirth of Slick (Cool like dat)” begins to climb the charts in 1994, which is followed later in the year by their second critically acclaimed album Blowout Comb. Much like the album precendently released by the group, Blowout Comb’s poetic lyrics are laced over deep beats and loud horns. What seems like an obvious, long, rewarding career path laid out before Digable Planets to travel is suddenly lost when the group disbands soon after Blowout Comb’s success.
After two self released anonymously produced EPs gained momentum in 2010, Shabazz Palaces unveiled their first LP Black Up. Shabazz Palaces seems to be a mysterious project led by Palaceer Lazaro, later discovered to be Digable Planet’s own Ishmael Butler. Black Up has caused Shabazz Palaces to blow up on internet and is picking up fans and listeners at light speed. Avid hip-hop listeners aren’t the only ones praising this release, and when it was found that Shabazz Palaces had been the first hip-hop group ever to be signed to record label Sub-Pop, it was apparent that this group and album would break many norms and destroy boundaries.
Black Up’s production is anything but normal. Every song features unique sounds never heard in a manner such as this. The music coming from this album has every last note tweaked, every sound altered, and every effect played with. Songs may appear consistent, but then burst with spontaneous twists that are completely unpredictable, even after many listens, yet remain to feel so right and beautiful. A specific time to witness such an event is one the album’s opening track, “Free Press and Curl.”
If Black Up was an instrumental album, without a doubt it would be a fascinating listen, but even where every beat is executed perfectly, Butler drops thought-provoking lyrics in a manner that isn’t only talented, it’s smooth. Seldom has it ever been seen like this when an elder MC come back to life with such an idyllic release.
Butler and percussionist Tendai Maraire aren’t the only talents to be heard, as guest female vocals from THEESatisfaction are scattered throughout the album and mesmerize the listener. No doubt Butler plays off of these female vocals easily as if the year was 1993 and Digable Planets first LP was spinning on a record player somewhere in New York.