Gift of Gab
4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up
Quannum Projects (2004)
For the following reasons I'm a firm believer that every CD collection should contain a few albums that confuse people when they are slipped into rotation. These albums a) give us credibility amongst different groups of people; b) make our knowledge of music superior amongst people within our own groups; and c) gives us chance to experiment with different types of body movements, like bobbing our heads rather than banging them. In case you didn't know, the Gift of Gab is the swift-tongues front man from the Bay Area hip-hop trio Blackalicous, and on 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up he offers listeners a smooth transition into the world of beats and rhymes from whatever genre they previously paid homage to. The first Blackalicious track I ever heard was "Alphabet Aerobics" on a mix tape loaned to me by a friend. After listening for about thirty seconds I was convinced that Gift of Gab was hands down the most talented emcee I had ever heard. Four years, and three albums later I am even more convinced. Although 4th Dimensional... is officially listed as a solo effort by Gift of Gab, I would unofficially classify it as the fourth Blackalicous record. It … Read more
The Advantage
The Advantage
5 Rue Christine (2004)
From my childhood there are some very specific things that I can recall: the first time I had sex (in … Read more
Pedro the Lion
Achilles Heel
Jade Tree (2004)
Of all the bands I've liked at one point, I don't think I've received quite as much flack for any … Read more
