Customer Reviews

Bright Black

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Uninhibitedly, Ish has not lost his touch. Since the world was blessed by his "Baileys-on-ice" voice, back in the '93-'94 Digable Planet days, he kinda took a musical hiatus to perfect his new masterpiece, "Cherrywine: BrightBlack"! I mean Damn, this album, is the new foundation of the older more mature hip-hop, in the form it once was, and as this album brings, still is.
After searching for his own style, but lyrically laced with the patented "Digable" drug, he takes you on a high that goes on forever. He did the right thing (as usual), by signing with a label, that is about to explode with underground talents, the ever vibrant Babygrande/DCide Records.
The tracks that tickle the back of your neck, in only the nicest way, would have to be;

1. "Sleep Pretty Girl" for it's hangtime resemblance of;
"Autumn leaves falling in tranquility, soulful more appreciated
"Digableness" and hotbath style voice textures, that make you want wrap a warm towel around you and lay next to your lover.

2. "Girlcrazy" for it's involvement of the 2004 Sex Olympics to be underway. He creates the idea that; despite the complexities of a ladies mind, there is the fact that men try too hard to impress a lady when all they really want, are the simple things in life. We all get a little Girlcrazy, but that does not mean we have to be crazy.
Hell there are more, but if I tell you too much, you won't buy the album, I'll already have told you about it.

I bought this album (knowing buttalfy was the soloist)hoping to hear no remnants of Digable Planets. Don't get me wrong Digable's were (are) the joint--one of the most innovative groups in any music genre-- but that was close to 10 years ago and I like to see the growth/change/evolution of an artist and buttafly has done that. What I like about Bright Black is that it shows a little attitude and some edge. Its street but unearthly. Definitely in its own category. The discerning ear will appreciate this piece of music artwork.

I liked Digable Planets because i like good music, and artistic music as well, and that is why i love this cd. I always thought Butterfly had cool concepts and was a brilliant musicain, and after hearing this cd, i rest my case. I would even say that this music is even more artistic and thought out now. If you are looking for a hip hop cd dont get this cd, BUT... if you like hip hop (real hip hop) because you like good music pick this up now, you wont regret it, if you have good musical taste.

You can actually still hear the hip hop comming through in the way he delivers most of the lyrics, but the beats are definately not your average hip hop beat, and luckily they are not R&B beats either, this music is in its own class, and i hope that it inspires other musicians to contribute to this new genre. This genre has the potential to create a whole new culture and have huge influence. Ishmael if you ever read this review, rest assure that this is stellar music and i always listen to "Girlology" before i go to the clubs. I also wouldn't mind seeing DPs back together for a third album, or a more classic hip hop album from Butterfly.

Ish..where 'o where have you been?

Just one listen to the first track and I was hooked for days. That's what I'm talkin 'bout..Cherrywine is right on time brotha
big ups to butterfly, it's been a long time coming, but well worth the wait. I'm hoping that these guys are touring because I gotta have it all or nothing, u dig?

This cd is extremely refreshing, the only other artist out there alike would be Andre 3000. It's just that next sh*t.
Anyone who likes and appreciates real hip hop and an artist with real delivery will love this album.

This album is sure to be a classic, thank u again Ish..
Now pour me another glass...Rome and I'm out

Ishmael Butler shows himself to be a musical Renaissance man on "Bright Black." Although he is best known as Butterfly from Digable Planets, Butler re-emerges with a full band and a new identity as the seductive, subversive Cherrywine. Musically, hip-hop is still an influence, but so are blues, funk, soul and more. Butler drops his half-rhymes, half-songs like honey over the grooves, adding to the smoke-filled atmosphere. Lyrically Butler talks about everything from the state of the industry to his take on love relationships - its all done with a strong sense of irony.
Fans of Digable Planets should not expect more of the same - Cherrywine is definitely a departure. But for those with an open mind, Cherrywine brings some futuristic funk on some next level 'ish.

Being a huge fan of Digable Planets, I wasn't sure what to expect when I heard Ishmael Butler (Butterfly) was coming out with something new. Don't go into this expecting anything like Digable Planets or you'll be sorely disappointed. The sound is very original (closest comparison would be Outkast) and the lyrics are brilliant in places.

The fact that Butler is from my hometown of Seattle makes this disc an immediate classic in my repetoir. Buy it and listen to it - it'll dig a hole in your brain before you even know it.

I'm sure everyone's pulled together the fact that Cherrywine is Buttafly. Buttafly was a member of Digable Planets ('93?). DP has reunited and are dropping a new album this month, but that's something else.

Anyway, I don't know anyone that's stayed the same for 10 years without changing. Anyone who has, I imagine, isn't doing anything. *shrug* If you're sitting up here tripping because someone's sound has changed since NINETY-THREE?? You're stupid. Straight up. I don't know what's wrong with people who come with that garbage. I wouldn't even pick up a new album by an old artist EXPECTING to hear what they used to do. And if they did, I'd be annoyed and saddened by their laziness as artists.

Personally, my fave track is "What I'm Talking". He toys with his thing and experiments. He's creative, outside the box and genuine- not running the same canned-a$* thug raps. Everyone's dropping that crap. My GRANDMOTHER just dropped a thug rap album called Hard In the LV [she lives in vegas]. *smirk* ANYway...

When I first heard that Ishmael Butler was coming out with a new project, I didn't know what to exspect and that was exciting. Going into your first listen of Bright Black,you just need to take it in, groove to it and attempt to throw out any preconcieved notions about what you want it to sound like. If you are looking for Butterfly, he's still around, he's just evolved into something new, something different--in my opinion, something amazing.
At first, my ear wanted to hear Digables and it suprised me that these songs are a total departure from that sound. Then I had to step back and realize that Cherrywine is its own entity (Digable Planets aren't together anymore and people move on to new things). What I found as I kept listening to this album was incredible music, a vibe that just sucks you in, and on top of all that, Ishmael's lyrics which are as amazing as ever.
Bright Black is just a great album -- I am finding new things every time I listen to it and that is, in my opinion, a real achievement. Thank you Cherrywine and keep doin what you're doin.

What a joke. It's a shame that someone with a voice like this makes such a flop. Really cocaine? You shouldn't waste your money on this. I'm sure you can pick it up a second hand shop for a quarter if you want. The song All I Can Do just about sums it up. This actually put a dent in the solid DP albums from back in the day.

Threw this in on in the car and was impressed by the first track. Then it all went downhill from there...no, it plummeted from there. Was there a single distinct beat on this album? Even parts where Ish told us to listen to his beat, there was nothing solid to listen to. I had to listen to the rest of it at home so I didn't fall asleep while driving. Every track was as listless as the last, with amateurish beats and rhymes that sometimes didn't even sound like they were with the right track.

The great thing about Digable was that every track was crisp and enticing. I don't like to compare people when they go solo to their former group, because you have to give guys credit when they try to separate themselves from the old stuff and venture into something new, but after you have established a level of quality, you can't come out with something like this. It sounded like it was recorded in one weekend with a local band looking for some carrying around money.

Just very disappointing.