Shabazz Palaces is the amazing new project from Ishmael Butler, a/k/a Palaceer Lazaro, formerly of Digable Planets and Cherrywine. While there are slight, emphasis on slight, echos of both groups heard on "Black Up," this is a much darker, knottier affair. In fact, it does nothing to know where Lazaro came from, because Shabazz Palaces is one of the most original sounding hip hop acts to emerge in years. It is equally discordant and accessible, making for a heady mix of grooves and beats that is something far grander than standard backpacker fare. It's both claustrophobic and spacious, pulling industrial, IDM, psych, soul and jazz into it's gravitational pull. "Black Up" is not a record that you will entirely get on the first, or even the tenth, listen (although you'll love it regardless), but it is one that will continue to reward and has the potential to become a hip hop classic. Yes, it is that good. Expect this to be toward the top of many critics' "best of" lists at the end of the year. "Swerve"
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