Shabazz Palaces

Add Date: June 28 

Artist: Shabazz Palaces 

Album: Black Up 

Label: Sub Pop 

Genre: Hip hop, experimental 

Comments: There's a lot of mystery surrounding Shabazz Palaces, the current project of Digable Planets MC Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler. First and foremost, Butler is the only known member of the group, and he evidently won't let on to who's in his supporting cast. A Google search and a visit to the band's web site don't turn up too much more information. However, enigmatic nature of the band aside, this is one of the best hip-hop releases--and albums, period--of 2011.

From NPR: "Black Up is a sonic world made up of discordant beats, swirling synths, bouncing 808s and Butler's nimble, impressionistic poetry. Straight narratives are nowhere to be found, and rhythms emerge and then vanish just as quickly. The effect can be bewildering, and yet the album is far from unfocused... [T]here's more here than avant-rap experimentation. In 'Recollections of the Wraith' and 'Endeavors for Never', melodic female vocals float into the spaces between the unpredictable beats. It's a welcome break from Butler's tinny delivery, and it gives a warm, accessible touch to the tough-talking, hard-headed raps."

Start with tracks 1, 3, 10, 7 and 2.