Drum: BEATS 107
MOS DEF: THE NEW DANGER
GEFFEN
Mos Def, Minnesota, Kanye West et al
The Mighty Mos’ last venture proved he could be the (Black) Jack of
all trades
When Mos’ solo debut Black On Both Sides dropped in 1999, the variety of
styles and influences meant he avoided the ‘backpacker’ pigeonhole some listeners
had prepared for him since his days as one third of underground rappers UTD
(Urban Thermo-Dynamics). ‘Rock n Roll’ made his passion for rhythm and blues (and disdain for the ‘rap/rock’
of Limp Bizkit) clear. ‘Black...’ has since been vindicated as a classic, so, late in 2004 and with his rock group
Black Jack Johnson at the forefront, Mos dropped this epic, which was more ‘rap inspired blues and rock’ than
vice versa. Just as he did on earlier work like Umi Says and A Tree That Never Grows, Mos sings just as well as
he raps, case in point; The Panties an absolutely stunning ode to his love (arguably as sublime as, say, Marvin Gaye’s
Distant Lover). The few bona fide hip hop joints show he’s not lost his hunger for spitting. For those who prefer
the Universal Magnetic Mos Def; UTD’s Manifest Destiny has been re–released (get digging) but with excellent
production and a range of genres, emotions and topics flipped by one of the most talented, charismatic cats in
music, you ignore The New Danger at your own risk.
Highlights: The Panties, Ghetto Rock, Bedstuy Parade &...
IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW
Highlighting recent, underrated gems that you really need
FERTILE GROUND BLACK IS...
Counter Point
James Collins
A master class from start to end; life - affirming music.
The triumphant Spirit World (based on a Yoruba prayer) serves as a great opener to Fertile Ground’s latest opus.
Another Day sees songwriter/ producer James Collins take healthy inspiration from Innervisions. Whilst the first
half of the album is worthy of much praise (although An Artist Prayer may have worked better if truncated) the
second half finds Boston’s finest reaching their zenith. The delightful Yellow Daisies leads into the glorious title
track, Narasha Davis’ vocals soaring over the beautifully sweeping arrangement on what is an obvious highlight of
their career. The following triad maintains epic heights; the pensive words and hypnotic time signatures of Naked
drift into the sensual You. By the time the reprise to the inspirational On This Day (a track equally profound
whether taken as an ode of religious devotion or good ol’ fashioned romance) fades out, you’re sure to be
enraptured with this modern jazz classic.
Highlights: Black Is, You, On This Day