"Just because Shabaka has returned to old ways, however, doesn't make Of the Earth a step back. In several respects, it marks a continuation of his unpredictable, idiosyncratic journey, and yet another sharp departure from his previous path. While Perceive Its Beauty featured a cornucopia of guest-stars, Of the Earth is a profoundly solo affair, with every instrument, beat, and soundscape fashioned by Shabaka."
"Suave hip-hop rhythms animate tracks like "Those of the Sky" and "Dance in Praise," and Shabaka makes his debut as an emcee on "Go Astray" and album closer "Eyes Lowered," rapping with a methodical, almost methodical, tracelike flow that can obscure an unexpected levity—"Go Astray" appears to quote Enya."
"It's a far cry from even the mellowest moments of Shabaka's prior work with the instrument, but it's still a saxophone, and the London musician's cutting, richly hued tone remains as aggressively contemplative as ever."
Shabaka Hutchings announced a saxophone hiatus in early 2023, leading to his flute-focused debut album Perceive Its Beauty. However, his new solo album Of the Earth reintroduces the saxophone, though in a restrained, contemplative manner distinct from his previous work. Unlike his guest-heavy debut, Of the Earth is entirely self-produced, featuring every instrument and sound crafted by Shabaka himself. The album incorporates suave hip-hop rhythms on tracks like "Those of the Sky" and "Dance in Praise," and marks Shabaka's debut as a vocalist and emcee with a methodical, trancelike flow on "Go Astray" and "Eyes Lowered." His vocal contributions appear secondary to his production interests, representing another sharp artistic departure while maintaining his signature unpredictable and idiosyncratic approach.
#shabaka-hutchings #jazz-and-hip-hop-fusion #solo-production #saxophone-and-flute #contemporary-music-innovation
Read at SPIN
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]