Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Track Listings
| 1. Free Press And Curl |
| 2. An Echo From The Hosts That Profess Infinitum |
| 3. Are You... Can You... Were You? (Felt) |
| 4. A Treatease Dedicated To The Avian Airess From North East Nubis (1000 Questions, 1 Answer) |
| 5. Youlogy |
| 6. Endeavors For Never (The Last Time We Spoke You Said You Were Not Here. I Saw You Though.) |
| 7. Recollections Of The Wraith |
| 8. The King's New Clothes Were Made By His Own Hands |
| 9. Yeah You |
| 10. Swerve... The Reeping Of All That Is Worthwhile (Noir Not Withstanding) |
Product Description
CD Description
Black Up is the new sonic move from Shabazz Palaces. Hip hop; Black Light uses electromagnetic radiation to eradicate micro-organisms, but Shabazz didn t come to kill a sound, just to shine their own incandescent lamp on this. Produced by Knife Knights and recorded and mixed in Lixx-alog by Bloo.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By LostC1tY
Format:Audio CD
I had the good fortune to see these guys in Manchester last night. It was one of the weirdest gigs I've been to, but also one of the best.
The music has varied angular rhythms layered over deep basslines, strange note sequences and voices cut in and out of the soundscape, seemingly at random. Sitting on top of that, the lyrics float between emphasised repetition and flowing eloquence. A couple of the tracks feature vocals from THEESatisfaction, which serves to change things up nicely without breaking out of Shabazz Palaces' style.
If you're a fan of new music then you should give this a try, because there isn't much, if anything, else like it.
The music has varied angular rhythms layered over deep basslines, strange note sequences and voices cut in and out of the soundscape, seemingly at random. Sitting on top of that, the lyrics float between emphasised repetition and flowing eloquence. A couple of the tracks feature vocals from THEESatisfaction, which serves to change things up nicely without breaking out of Shabazz Palaces' style.
If you're a fan of new music then you should give this a try, because there isn't much, if anything, else like it.
Format:Audio CD
It's a sign of the times that something as inventive and original as this has to date attracted one review on Amazon.
Hard to describe Shabazz Palaces, it really is. You can of course hear a little bit of Ishmael Butler's former band, Digable Planets, on here. But only after it's been through a weird, dark trip of some crazy kind. That's to make it sound impenetrable. Oddly, it's not. It takes a few listens, but it's just so rich and smart, it draws you in. I've had it a few months and I'm still listening to it regularly.
When folks tell you hiphop has lost its soul, point 'em in this direction.
Hard to describe Shabazz Palaces, it really is. You can of course hear a little bit of Ishmael Butler's former band, Digable Planets, on here. But only after it's been through a weird, dark trip of some crazy kind. That's to make it sound impenetrable. Oddly, it's not. It takes a few listens, but it's just so rich and smart, it draws you in. I've had it a few months and I'm still listening to it regularly.
When folks tell you hiphop has lost its soul, point 'em in this direction.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.1 out of 5 stars
16 reviews
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Seriously trippy, one of the best albums of the year in general.
10 July 2011
By Edward Casper
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
I have to admit up front: I am not a big fan of hip hop. I got into De La Soul and the Digable Planets and other acts like that, but over time, I just gave up on it. I like catchy or trippy non-homophobic music, like Bjork, and there wasn't enough hip hop out there that got me going.
But this album, I was curious about because it was from the main guy in Digable Planets, and he happens to live in my home town. I picked up Black Up when it came out and I was not disappointed in the least. If you like intricate production, intense music, and a healthy dollop of stereo separation, this CD is for you. Plus, I like figuring out what this guy is saying (or at least, trying to figure it out). This Shabazz Palaces guy lives in his own universe, but one that is mysterious and filled with cool sounds and interesting words. This is an egg I am having fun cracking.
But this album, I was curious about because it was from the main guy in Digable Planets, and he happens to live in my home town. I picked up Black Up when it came out and I was not disappointed in the least. If you like intricate production, intense music, and a healthy dollop of stereo separation, this CD is for you. Plus, I like figuring out what this guy is saying (or at least, trying to figure it out). This Shabazz Palaces guy lives in his own universe, but one that is mysterious and filled with cool sounds and interesting words. This is an egg I am having fun cracking.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Album that Progresses Hip Hop
30 Jun 2011
By Josh
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
This album has everything I never knew I wanted in a hip hop album. Every Tuesday I scour the latest hip hop releases searching for something that offers more than the mainstream traditional hip-POP that has become pervasive in the hip hop world. This Tuesday I struck gold with this album.
The beats are where this album truly shines. From the first track you can hear the creative experimentation that is the backbone of the album. There is a noticeable jazz influence interwoven with synths and bass. At times unpredictable, the rhythms and drumbeats give this album a rich complexity that is quite enjoyable.
If you want something different from traditional hip hop - And probably a little ahead of its time - you should definitely get this album.
The beats are where this album truly shines. From the first track you can hear the creative experimentation that is the backbone of the album. There is a noticeable jazz influence interwoven with synths and bass. At times unpredictable, the rhythms and drumbeats give this album a rich complexity that is quite enjoyable.
If you want something different from traditional hip hop - And probably a little ahead of its time - you should definitely get this album.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Probably the best hip hop album that will come out this year.
24 Aug 2011
By Cher
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I first put this album into my rotation, it sat around, not quite hooking quickly, but by the second full listen it struck me hard. Black Up is almost completely unlike anything out there in the hip hop spectrum right now. Throughout the 10 songs presented here, simple beats highlighted by electronic flourishes (almost dubstepesque) compliment a very smooth flow and intelligent lyrics.
Not only that, but the album holds a very spacy sound enhanced by a rich sonic atmosphere of odd, trippy effects (both in the beats AND the vocals). Hooks are abound in many of the tracks (my favorite being in Swerve, near the end), and stand out among each other.
Black Up certainly isn't for everyone, and those not looking for a challenging listen may be alienated from it's out there sound, but for those willing to put in a small amount of time for it to sink in, it's well worth it.
9/10 (or 5 stars)
Not only that, but the album holds a very spacy sound enhanced by a rich sonic atmosphere of odd, trippy effects (both in the beats AND the vocals). Hooks are abound in many of the tracks (my favorite being in Swerve, near the end), and stand out among each other.
Black Up certainly isn't for everyone, and those not looking for a challenging listen may be alienated from it's out there sound, but for those willing to put in a small amount of time for it to sink in, it's well worth it.
9/10 (or 5 stars)
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 16 reviews
4.1 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Music > Pop
- Music > Rap & Hip-Hop
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
