Futuristic lyricist, straight from the renaissance....

Talib Kweli, BKMC, drops his new LP "Eardrum" to critical acclaim.

On this, his 3rd solo effort, Talib Kweli brings together a plethora of underground Hip Hop luminaries. He re-introduces us to his long term collaborator, Cincinatti-native DJ Hi-Tek, who produced the reflective "More or Less". He also brought in Madlib (who collaborated with Kweli in 2007 on the internet-released underground smash "Liberation" on 3 cuts - "Everything Man", "Eat To Live" and "Soon The new Day", South-Coast Hip Hop Dons UGK on "Country Cousins" (R.I.P Pimp C) and the ubiquitous Will.i.Am, who produces and sings the hook on "Hot Thing". The beauty of this set is that it combines the afforementioned underground cats with more comercially-viable artists like Kanye West on "In The Mood", Norah Jones on "Soon The New Day, Musiq Soulchild on "Oh My Stars" and Justin Timberlake on "The Nature" (which JT also produces, with surprisingly funky results).

 As the [M]CEO of Blacksmith Music, Talib introduces stable-mates Jean Grae on"Say Something" and Strong Arm Steady on "Go With Us" to the world. The set also features a couple of true legends of the game. Pete Rock produces "Stay Around" and KRS One spits on the oh-so-heavyweight "The Perfect Beat". Kwe even makes enough room for the evergreen, evercool Roy Ayers, who graces "In The Mood" with his signature vybes and skat business.

Although the album boasts many colaborators - half of whom I have neglected to mention - it would be fair to assume that the man himself will get lost amongst all these differing sounds, but have no fear, Kweli still manages to maintain his own identity as the main attraction on this LP.

For those of you who are familiar with Kweli's back-catalogue, the subject matter of this LP is as diverse as his previous offerings, covering topics as personal as his children (Oh My Stars) who both rap the intro, one-night-stands (Soon The New Day), the Mrs (Hot Thing) and the state of todays materialistic society (The Nature).

To call this a 'crossover album' is frankly an injustice to the work. The underground beats are fat and heavy, and the smoother tracks are soulful and sweet but without sounding like an attempt to 'appeal to a wider audience'.  Kwe still manages to stay true to his convictions while also delivering tunes that really move you - both in the mind and on the dancefloor.

As you would expect with any Kweli set, he comes with an uncompromising attention to lyrical detail, combined with intricate flows, laid over an array of funky, jazzy and down-right dirty beats.

Make no mistake - The Flow Captain has delivered once again.

Words by Onza (Under X)