https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77xtaGAHt_4

This first song Fast Learner is the lead single from this album slated to release April 17th. A partner of mines sent the link for the entire album and it is a very solid effort... they never disappoint. Can’t wait to get that vinyl in when it’s released.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHoYneY2Cu4

https://shabazzpalaces.bandcamp.com/album/the-don-of-diamond-dreams

As always this duo comes with a different sound. From Ad Ventures to Reg Walks By the Looking Glass, it is a psychedelic ride. It is refreshing in thIs day and age of hip hop that you have artists whe aren’t afraid to go away from what people think the genre should sound like. To make an effort to make sure that your current project is different from your last. These types of artists are the true trendsetters.

His vocals aren’t as obscured. Wish it was longer though. Only 8 tracks. But Ish is always on point and musically as mentioned above it’s something different and I always appreciate them for never being stale. Makes me wish we still had live shows to attend, as I’ve seen them many times and their stuff is enhanced when you get to see it performed.

>His vocals aren’t as obscured. Wish it was longer though.
>Only 8 tracks. But Ish is always on point and musically as
>mentioned above it’s something different and I always
>appreciate them for never being stale. Makes me wish we still
>had live shows to attend, as I’ve seen them many times and
>their stuff is enhanced when you get to see it performed.

I prefer the double Quazarz more, and it’s my favorite album from them.

I haven’t seen them live, but when artists start doing shows again I will be checking them out even if I have to travel out of state.

Quazarz has many moments or segments I like or even love, but the whole thing never coalesced for me. I’m into anything by them though, and always find something to appreciate. Chocolate Soufflé is my joint man.

>Quazarz has many moments or segments I like or even love, but
>the whole thing never coalesced for me. I’m into anything by
>them though, and always find something to appreciate.
>Chocolate Soufflé is my joint man.

That’s crazy... lol

I think that Shine a Light, Atlaantis, Welcome to Quazarz, the instrumental joints, distorted sounds put Quazarz over the top for me. It was just so weird of an album and that is up my alley sonically since a majority of my collection is avant-garde type music.

Chocolate Soufflé is near the bottom of the list on this album, but it’s a dope track. That Reg Walks By the Looking Glass is always on repeat.

are doing. Yeah, catch them live for sure, Ish’s energy and swagger are exceptional. I’m so glad he kept pushing musically after DPs and Cherrywine. He really has had a renaissance as an artist and it’s fantastic to see. Along with Q-Tip he is easily my favorite MC/producer/artist.

>along with Q-Tip he is easily my favorite MC/producer/artist.

This is interesting. Ish has said in an old interview that he really admired Q-Tip and was even trying to sound like him when he got into hip-hop.

>>along with Q-Tip he is easily my favorite
>MC/producer/artist.
>
>This is interesting. Ish has said in an old interview that he
>really admired Q-Tip and was even trying to sound like him
>when he got into hip-hop.
>

In trying to do so it took him to a different place. Not just trying to sound like Tip, but the other Natives as well. Ish’s mantra was to be different from others even if you are using the same platform.

>Quazarz has many moments or segments I like or even love, but
>the whole thing never coalesced for me.

Agreed on this. All the parts are good to stellar but as a full album it never quite came together. It's the weakest of the catalog, imo, but still a great listen (of course).

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

Wonder how that will affect the live shows. Gonna have to absorb this album a lot more to see if his absence is felt. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/apr/16/shabazz-palaces-the-don-of-diamond-dreams-album-review

Fast Learner is so smooth man.

It shouldn’t affect things that much. If you listened to Knife Knights, his collabs with 319 and other artists then you know that Ish is always going to come with something abstract. With that said Tendai will definitely be missed from the instrumentation side of things, but I’m sure that Ish will be able to manage.

They always seemed so funny in interviews together but also seemed quite different. Ish does it all and has since DPs so I’m not worried, just curious since they’ve been together for so long.

Hey if it wasn’t for Tendai there would probably no Shabazz. Ish definitely saw Tendai as an asset in what he could do as a multi-instrumentalist. My question is will Tendai stick to doing Chimurenga Renaissance from here on out? SP had an amazing decade dropping 4 gems in that period.

This also could be clearing the path for a new DP album which Ish said was down the road.

http://floodmagazine.com/76950/in-conversation-the-abstractions-and-absolutes-of-shabazz-palaces-ishmael-butler/

Thanks. Interviews with Ish is always a treat.

*are

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_GioWOnDQz/

That last impersonation, tho. "It sounds like Nas had a cold and spent the night in Outkast's basement"

I posted this in GD, too, but I'm convinced the first single "Fast Learner" features his son Lil Tracy, which is just another way of saying Purple Tape Nape is Tracy's alias? He's in the video, too.

I can't find any solid info online about Purple Tape Nape who has been on Shabazz Palaces songs before.

I’m convinced Purple Tape Nate is just Ish. He has used aliases on his own stuff before.

That's a good guess and you may be right. I guessed it was Tracy because it sounds like that new age autotune rap shit his son does. LOL. (No shade to Jazz/Lil Tracy, tho).

abstract chill music. i've always been a digable planets fan and
this feels like a 2020 extension of that type of music.

not feeling it

production values and mixing kinda fell off the cliff

black up and lese majesty are personal classics

they can keep this shit

First impressions are similar

I was legit bored at some points.

How you going to make a boring record and label it SP?

But who knows, might change my mind completely on the next listen.

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

Not it’s not... it’s just very apparent that they were dumbing down on this record quite a bit. It’s a much simpler made record than their previous works the past decade. More geared toward today current sound, sighting his son as an influence.

Outside of the first track, there is basically nothing for me here. Ish barely showed up for this. His rapping is terrible - lazy even. The lyrics are basic and some of them cringeworthy. I am saying this as a fan of Shabazz Palaces. It's incredible that this and their first two albums involve the same rapper. If these instrumentals were given to another rapper who sounded more inspired, you could probably make a good album out of it. 

“My credentials magnify potentials
No matter who sent you I’ma pinch you, boy
If I’m available, she gon’ bench you
God'll send you when the rents due (Do)
Or die, if not, why try?
If not for the sky that’s a constellation adage
In the Sportif vest, look ravish
Rap lines get lavished for cabbage
Dips fine, get dazzled 'cause it's magic
Algiers is thick out in Paris
Game kicked, I ain’t know she was an heiress
Stellies hear the new shit like, "Yeah, Ish"
Divine mathematics, designer fabric, aligned to my Cash App, maverick status
Sphinx of the pink cabin, the links? Ethiopian gold karats
Drinks clink, watch the lake from the terrace
One blink and the girl thinking marriage
We flourished everything that they dared us
It's dumb popping when the drums come knocking
Zanzi club hopping or an island was the options
I asked, "What's stopping?", her answer was, "Not him”
My eyes burn embers like emeralds
Fly shit, defenders Stellie member lent pretenders my adventures”

and the way he expressed the depth of emotion with a parent passing. Lost my dad in January and his words resonate heavily with me. Gives that last track, which I enjoy but don’t love, some extra context.
https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.55471/title.shabazz-palaces-the-don-of-diamond-dreams-spotlights-ishmael-butlers-familial-ties

Half of the songs in here deal with family which struck a chord with me because I’m big in family. Losing my mother over a decade ago and caring for my dad on a daily basis... basically watching the downward spiral. Dealing with my son and daughters. A couple of sisters that are ailing health wise. It’s good to see an artist reach outside of normal hip hop topics to reflect on things and people that are important to him.