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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Black Up impresses most with its beguiling sounds, especially the verdant keyboard washes of "Are You...Can You...Were You? (Felt)"..." --Spin
Product Description
Black Up is the 2011 sonic move from Shabazz Palaces. Luxury as understood by the modest. Shabazz Palaces. If Bedouins herded beats instead of goats and settled in Seattle instead of the Atlas Mountains, this would be their album. Hip hop. Black light uses electromagnetic radiation to eradicate microorganisms, but shabazz didn't come to kill a sound, just to shine their own incandescent lamp on this. Hear. Hard and clear. Fifty thousand years in the making. Honorable. Produced by Knife Knights at Gunbeat Serenade Studio in Outplace Palacelands. It was recorded and mixed in Lixx-alog by Blood.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
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
By Josh
Format:MP3 Music|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
By Cher
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)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Appreciate the production
Very a-typical production for a hip-hop album, but that's what makes it intriguing. I don't listen to much of this genre, but it just pulled me in the way Madvilliany did. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Tamon Go
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ancient Auditory Aeronautics
This just might be the greatest hip hop album ever. I know that's saying alot and I'm just some white dude (although I believe that, even if this album is obviously pro-Black, race... Read more
Published 7 months ago by jordan333
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, novel, avant garde hip hop
No, it's definitely not Yeezy or Weezy, but what's wrong with that? Nothing. This is some of the most inventive hip hop I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Aaron Brethorst
5.0 out of 5 stars
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I can't believe no one's talked about the lyrics on this thing. Particularly pro-black... even the cover and no one talks about it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by C. Raffaele
5.0 out of 5 stars
You ungrateful ingrates
We's been out hunting aliens in the lo-ride, yoko. Fortys and shorties, milkin' on that udder. Laughing all the way to the laughing bank. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Automated Message
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fresh, artistic album
This is one of the best and most fresh sounding hip hop/rap albums I've heard in awhile. The beats and sounds and vocal/instrumental rhythms are unique. Read more
Published 19 months ago by amorfortuna2
1.0 out of 5 stars
Shabbaz shanty
I'm left really confused by any appeal people have to this album. It's not enjoyable, it's not fresh, it's not captivating. Read more
Published 19 months ago by El Conquistador
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!
I don't usually write reviews but the spam one stars are an injustice. I don't really know how to word this sentence into making you buy it so I'll just say, search Swerve on... Read more
Published 20 months ago by S. Payne
1.0 out of 5 stars
I Simply Do Not Get The Hype...
I have tried to listen to this album ten different times and it is so overly trippy I consider it unlistenable. Read more
Published 20 months ago by SEAN FLANSBAUM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Listen to this with your best headphones
Like watching a good movie you have to listen to this one from start to finish. I wouldn't want to spoil anything so just buy it.
Published 20 months ago by frugel geezy
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