4 Albums You Need To Know About [03/03/2010]

Published by Tyler Hakes on March 3, 2010 at 8:30 am

Late pass on this week’s drops, but look at for these cuts anyway. Including the homie Grieves’ Rhymesayers debut by way of his 88 Keys re-release.

1. Grieves and Budo – 88 Keys and Counting (Re-Release)

Songwriter Grieves and producer/all around instrument expert Budo demolish any and every genre boundary with the official Rhymeayers re-release of their 2008 LP 88 Keys And Counting. Fusing catchy analog melodies and Grieves’ tongue and cheek sense of humor and introspective wordage to create a timeless and truly original album, you don’t wanna miss out on this personal, brooding and creative album the 2nd time around.

Also: The Confessions of Mr. Modest, Grieves’ new EP that was included with 88-Keys pre-orders from Fifth Element.

2. Raheem Devaughn – The Love & War MasterPeace

Son of legendary cellist Abdul Wadud, Raheem Devaughn AKA the Maryland/DMV man who’s made his living mostly as a go-to hook crooner for many a Hip-Hopper, readies his 3rd album, The Love & War MasterPeace. DeVaughn has an intro from the forever luminous Dr. Cornell West and a track that features guest contributions from 11 of thee most elite R&B singers in the industry. Also featured Damian Marley and Ludacris.

3. Fela Kuti – Fela’s London Scene (Import)

The 1971 recording named Fela’s London Scene from legendary Nigerian AfroBeat pioneer, leader of the Africa 70 Band and recent subject of an enormously successful Broadway play, Fela Kuti, makes its way to the states as an Import. Recorded on Abbey Road in London, Fela is in rare form throughout the first 6 tracks, and then ceases the album with two engrossing 13 minute sets titled “Shakara”.

4. B. Dolan – Fallen House Sunken City

Providence, Rhode Island rapper, forever wired activist and former product of the Nuyorican slam poet scene known to his loyal fans as B. Dolan returns with a decidedly less genre disobedient record in Fallen House, Sunken City. The bulk of the album’s production is handled by Alias, who crafts a clear cut, Boom Bap record worthy of high praise.