Blackalicious - Imani Vol 1
7/10
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 long years since one of alt-rap’s greatest bands last released an album, 2005’s underrated The Craft. It’s a musical tragedy that they never sold the volumes of records many of their less talented contemporaries did, but after an extended hiatus they’re back. The first thing that stands out is how fresh the album sounds, recognisably Blackalicious, but with a brilliantly contemporary production job courtesy of Chief Excel. It’s like bumping into an old mate who’s got himself a dope haircut and some snappy new duds. It’s funky too. Ashes To Ashes has Gift Of Gab’s trademark drawled rap flowing over a lolloping groove. Escape adds lush strings and piano to the mix and That Night is a wonderfully laidback synth number with a brilliant cameo from the Lifesavas. Alpha & Omega is probably my favourite song and brings some of the Quannum Projects collective to the mic. This is apparently the first of a trilogy of albums to be released over the next few years, and I’m really hoping that this is the case because a world in which Blackalicious are once again recording and touring is a place where I want to be.
7/10
