The magical monthly segment where I briefly touch down on a gauntlet of albums I didn't get a chance to review this past month. These are just my short, straightforward, passionate, biased opinions.
oddisee
Oddisee- "Way In Way Out"
New TracksCommentOddisee has leaked a track from his new album People Hear What They See. On "Way In Way Out" this Maryland-born MC analyzes the segregation in America through tremendous amounts of wit and cunning in his wordplay. He does with a solid delivery that clearly gets his points across with a feeling of ease. The beat has a powerful marching brass line with a heavy bass kick thrown in for emphasis. Oddisee rides the beat well and it is definitely the perfect beat for him as it suits his style of rap and lyrical prowess.
People Hear What They See is available now.
Oddisee- "Skipping Rocks"
New TracksCommentDC hip hop producer Oddisee has a new album of instrumentals out that tributes his favorite spot in the capital city: Rock Creek Park. With both samples and live instrumentation, Oddisee tries--and succeeds, really--at recreating what the place means to him through song.
Stream my favorite instrumental from the album, "Skipping Rocks," above. The combination of hand percussion and warm brass reminds me of walking through a city park in the middle of fall, with the leaves changing in every direction. There's a really beautiful vibe coming off this track. Look for this album now on Mello Music Group.
Apollo Brown- "The Times" feat. Oddisee
New TracksCommentMP3 (page link)
New track from beatmaster Apollo Brown, featuring Oddisee on the mic. Brown's Clouds came out at the start of March. If you're down with instrumental hip hop, it's a vacation worth taking.
"The Times" is one of the few tracks that breaks the instrumental mold. The lyrics are devoted to much of the political turmoil going on in Northern Africa recently--with special attention on Sudan.
Look for Clouds on Mello Music Group.
