Swollen Members – Black Magic LP [TVT]

This album is guaranteed to simultaneously rock parties and stimulate minds. Collaborations include: The Alchemist, Evidence and Babu (Dilated Peoples), Ghostface Killah, Jacken (Psycho Realm), Casual (Hieroglyphics), DJ Swamp, Mr. Vegas and Planet Asia.

Whilst production credits include: Evidence (Dilated Peoples, Linkin Park, Kanye West) Rob the Viking and Squeak E. Clean (Yeah Yeah Yeahs).

While the Members’ previous effort, 2003’s ‘Heavy’, was aimed squarely at the pop charts, ‘Black Magic’ is a focused, brilliantly diverse, set of mature hip-hop that only years of touring and studio sessions could produce. The LP’s thumping beats are spiked with classical overtones, and its carefully written, life-soaked raps will appeal to the veteran crew’s original fan base. In short, ‘Black Magic’ will bring down the house.         

The first official lead single, produced by Evidence (Dilated Peoples) ‘Put Me On’, features Everlast on the chorus and reflects on lost love over a painful piano riff.

‘Brothers’ details the group’s internal trials and triumphs, while ‘Too Hot’ is a funky, roller coaster of a street track, guaranteed to nod heads from coast to coast.