Robed in Rareness

by Shabazz Palaces

Overview

Not counting the preceding Lavarr the Starr collaboration Illusions Ago -- the inaugural release on Ishmael Butler's Glass Cane label -- Robed in Rareness is the first Shabazz Palaces EP since the self-issued 2009 pair that predated Black Up. While Robed is proffered as a link to those early short-form efforts for its leanness, it's still some of the group's spaciest work and is coolly distant rather than in your face. With production credited to Laz Shabazz (possibly Butler, aka Palaceer Lazaro, maybe also the Laz who appeared in modulated form on Quazars vs. The Jealous Machines), its seven tracks are rhythmically labyrinthine, unhurried in tempo, with clamping drums and cosmic synthesizers that burble, prance, and sometimes create a sense of menace. The only track without a featured role is the uncharacteristically dispirited and open "Hustle Crossers." Each of the half-dozen tougher and lighter tracks before it pairs Butler with a guest MC. Like Butler, the mysterious Lavarr, Geechi Suede (of Camp Lo), Porter Ray, O Finess, and Lil Tracy (Butler's well-established son) keep it mostly swanky if low-key on those cuts, rarely conspicuous enough to catch a glare from a rear-view mirror if they were reciting the rhymes on a bus. The effect is typically cosmic for Shabazz Palaces despite the dominance of boasts and aspersions. Butler at times might be a little too obliging, such as when fellow Seattlite Porter Ray takes over to install a stripper pole on "P Kicking G" -- though it's amusing to hear Porter answer a Butler query with "'Cause she's smooth like that," in casual reference to his host's breakthrough single with Digable Planets. This EP was issued as "the first in a series" that could become more fascinating with further deviations. ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	03/29/2024
Label:	Sub Pop
UPC:	0098787161304
Rank:	22545

Tracks

1. Binoculars
2. Woke up in a Dream
3. P Kicking G
4. Cinnamon Bun
5. Scarface Mace
6. Gel Bait
7. Hustle Crossers

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Shabazz Palaces   Primary Artist
Geechi Suede   Featured Artist
Porter Ray   Featured Artist
Lil Tracy   Featured Artist
Royce the Choice   Featured Artist
O Finess   Featured Artist
Lavarr the Starr   Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Ishmael Butler   Composer,Engineer
Geechi Suede   Lyricist
Porter Ray   Lyricist
The Palaceer Lazaro   Lyricist
Lil Tracy   Lyricist
Royce the Choice   Lyricist
O Finess   Lyricist
Laz Shabazz   Arranger,Lyricist,Producer
Dalton Knox   Lyricist
Lavarr the Starr   Lyricist
Erik Blood   Mixing,Engineer
Warren Defever   Audio Master