My most anticipated album to drop this year will be "Bayani," the third release by the Seattle-based hiphop duo, Blue Scholars. The group consists of Sabzi on the boards/keys/tables and Geologic on the mic. These two have truly redefined hiphop work ethic from the grassroots up. Geo is the main draw for me; for he has become one of the most poetic, descriptive, and non-apologetic emcees I have ever listened to. His booming voice delivers lyrics that embody an "...it's better to be critical than conscious" philosophy that seem to draw content from strong ethnic studies influences. Being a 2nd generation Filipino-American born to immigrants allows him to bring to light topics that exist in critical social studies that few emcees can touch upon effectively: "F*ck a false prophecy/promising we'll all be free/as long as we fall in line with a flawed philosophy." Sabzi provides well-produced beats that have improved steadily since their first release. Though heavily sample-based, he is also a jazz-trained pianist and provides a few soloes on select tracks. The last time I kept a hiphop artist on rotation this long was Enter the 36 Chambers on cassette tape. This album will be released on June 12th (Rawkus Records). A lot of great content to digest. Highly recommended! -Recluse
Download:
North by Northwest (Bayani 2007)
Southside Revival (The Long March 2006)
Sagaba Remix (The Long March 2006)
No Rest For The Weary (Self-Titled 2004)
No Rest For The Weary LIVE (Bayani record release party 2007)
"Where the colonizer came with the cross and the sword / I threw the first spear and said, 'I declare war!'"
