Shabazz Palaces Black Up [Slipcase]

3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he rapper still waxes poetic with the old boho bounce as he lounges in the club or decries the evils of American culture."
"BLACK UP impresses most with its beguiling sounds, especially the verdant keyboard washes of 'Are You...Can You...Were You? (Felt)'..."
Ranked #20 in Spin's 'The Top 40 Albums Of 2011' -- "They may invoke the fiery nationalism of the Last Poets, but they're savvy enough to welcome anyone who wants to join the dance."
4 stars out of 5 -- "There's an earworm-like lure in every track, but the hushed, frantically percussive 'Yeah You' is a highlight."
"Butler drops sparse, fragmented beats beneath a web of reverb-dripping vocals and muffled synths, while also leaning on soul tropes and old-world melodies..."
3 stars out of 5 -- "[With] the lava-like bass and shuddering beats suggesting a familiarity with dubstep's experimental margins."
4 stars out of 5 -- "[I]n the category of great rap reinventions, file it next to Daniel Dumile's post-KMD rebirth as MF Doom and Ultramagnetic's MC Kool Keith re-training as Dr Octagon."
Pitchfork (Website) - "[I]f some of Butler's rhymes and sonics are breezier than before, his tracks still retain their moody, hard-thudding, and sometimes psychedelic atmospheres."