Sound Advice 2019
Good Albums (don’t know what I should call this)
Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory by Makaveli
Don Killuminati was Tupac Shakur’s first posthumous release. Recorded under the alias Makaveli (Shakur was inspired by the writings of philosopher and politician Machiavelli), the album contains some of the last songs Shakur recorded before his death in September 1996. Encouraged by a newfound sense of urgency, 2Pac poured his heart into the making of this record; as a result, Don Killuminati features some of Shakur’s best work. Songs like “Hail Mary”, “To Live And Die In L.A.”, and “Against All Odds” all illustrate this.
In A Silent Way by Miles Davis
In A Silent Way was Davis’ first attempt to stray from the genre of traditional jazz his famous 1959 album Kind of Blue fell under. This record is a significant landmark in jazz fusion, an avant-garde jazz offshoot that dabbled in rock and funk that ignored the conventionalities of established, bebop-style jazz. In A Silent Way is an ambient and tranquil expression of melancholy and sorrow, but also a demonstration of peace, calm, and serenity.
It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot by DMX
This record is the first entry in the discography of the Yonkers MC known for his notoriously legendary aggressiveness, unique sense of rhythm, and inventive wordplay. Here, DMX (often gleefully) paints a gruesome portrait of violence and carnage by adeptly utilizing his aforementioned skillset. Notable tracks, among others, include the infamous “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” and the ominous “X-Is Coming”.
MAY GOD BLESS YOUR HUSTLE by MIKE
Characterized by murky production and off-kilter flows, MAY GOD BLESS YOUR HUSTLE is a 2017 Bandcamp release by Bronx rapper and Earl Sweatshirt affiliate MIKE; this record is a notable exercise in the articulation of complex ideas through simplicity and compression. For instance, a line from standout “Pigeonfeet” (“Walking through the desert/We was searching for a god”) deftly implies the sprawling vastness of New York (and the often accompanying sense of insignificance).
What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye
Created by the man many considered the Prince of Soul, What’s Going On reflects Gaye’s frustrations over the carnage and injustice of the Vietnam War; he also wanted to speak out against social turbulence at home, best exemplified by incidents like the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Kent State Shootings. Aside from its social commentary, this record also showcases Gaye’s creative evolution: he had left behind his Motown pop sensibilities and begun to favor singing airily and floating over relaxed grooves.
Me Against The World by 2Pac
Arguably Shakur’s best album, Me Against the World is a profound, honest form of expression by an artist in peak form. Shakur recorded this project while awaiting what would become a nearly year-long prison sentence, which may have contributed to the confessional, introspective, and brutally honest tone of Me Against The World. My personal favorites include “If I Die 2Nite”, “Lord Knows”, “Dear Mama”, and “Death Around The Corner”.