Below the Heavens

Blu

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 28, 2007)
• Original Release Date: July 17, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sound in Color
• ASIN: B000QFAEHI
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #80,199 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. My World Is...

2. Narrow Path

3. So(ul) Amazin' (Steel Blazin')

4. Juicen' Dranks - Blu, Ta'Raach, Taraach

5. In Rememberance of Me

6. Blu Colla Workers

7. Dancing in the Rain

8. First Things First - Blu, Miguel Jontel

9. No Greater Love

10. Show Me the Good Life - Aloe Blacc, Blu, Joseph

11. Simply Amazin'

12. Cold Hearted - Blu, Miguel Jontel

13. World Is (Below the Heavens...)

14. You Are Now in the Clouds With (The Koochie Monstas)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Slammin' With Sophistication (5 Stars), October 3, 2007

By	Alan Pounds "Minnesota Hip-Hop Fiend" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It's been a good year for hip-hop, and even better for underground hip-hop. I've been keeping close tabs on all the hip-hop that has dropped thus far in 2007, and I can assure you that Blu & Exile "Below the Heavens" will be in my interchangeable top 3 for the year; sitting comfortably beside Blue Scholars and Polyrhythm Addicts.

Blu & Exile are an underground duo from Los Angeles. These two share a bond on par with Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. And although I shouldn't pump the album this hard, I truly feel this is a classic in the making.

MC Blu represents what an emcee in 2007 should be - introspective, intelligent, hungry, and soulful. Not only does he have a powerful flow, but his lyrics are on point like no other, touching on nearly every topic at hand. The alluring thing about him is his modesty. The 22-year old emcee writes lyrics in a self-deprecating and humble fashion, and truly sounds like an old soul who's messages teach life lessons. However, he never tries to "teach" them. Instead he's just sharing his thoughts and making clear observations for solutions, or lack thereof. Tracks like "So(ul) Amazin'", "Blu Colla Workers", & "No Greater Love" are prime examples of his highly conscious style.

The mastermind behind these beautiful soundscapes is the remarkable talent of Exile. I will definitely be watching for this guy in the upcoming years, as I think rappers will be knocking down doors in search of his beats. The jazzy and soulful backdrop compliments Blu perfectly. And although it's nothing groundbreaking, his style is so varied and consistent, that you won't find a stinker in the bunch. My favorite joints here would have to be "In Remembrance of Me" & "Show Me the Good Life" featuring Aloe Blacc, Joseph. The former boasts breath-taking production that has me reaching for the rewind button constantly.

All in all, I believe this is the album that Common wishes he could've made this year. And although their styles are similar, "Below the Heavens" surpasses it in every way - flow, beats, lyrics...it's all here in untouchable form. Heads need to wake up and peep out one of 2007's best!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most slept-on album of 2007, May 2, 2008

By	G. Victor (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm going to take the bold step of calling this the best album of 2007. Graduation was very solid, The Cool was better, and I won't even go into the great albums from other genres. But this album was such a breath of fresh air. Blu's storytelling ability is so smooth and seamless, it's just flat-out pleasing to hear. Artists like Blu & Exile give hope to the world that hip-hop isn't dead, it's just hibernating.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CAN'T GET NO BETTER THAN THIS!!!!!!!!!!, October 30, 2007

By	Kevin Noble (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

TOTALLY SPEECHLESS.IF I COULD GIVE HIM ANYMORE STARS I WOULD.THIS IS A FUTURE CLASSIC NO DOUBT. A FRIEND OF MINE LET ME HEAR THIS, AND I WAS STUCK. THIS MC PUTS IT DOWN PERIOD!. THE LYRICS REMIND ME OF A YOUNG CANIBUS(WHEN HE WAS HUNGRY). THE PRODUCTION AND BEATS ARE QUITE IMPRESSIVE AS WELL. HELL, I BOUGHT TWO COPIES(1 FOR THE WHIP & 1 FOR THE HOUSE). GO GET THIS CD BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY(LEGALLY THAT IS.... LOL) IT'S JUST THAT GOOD. THE BEST HIP HOP ALBUM OF 2007 PLAIN AND SIMPLE!