Monday, October 22, 2012

Talib Kweli - "Take It Back" [2007]

Talib Kweli recently hit us with the free "Attack Of The Block", but the Kweli project that's really been in heavy rotation for me lately is 2007's excellent "Eardrum"; in my opinion the BK poet's finest hour as a solo artist. I love how it blends political/conscious rhymes with self-reflecting shit as well as lighter material. But what really brings it home is the soulful production that so seamlessly blended live instrumentation form The Fyre Dept. with sample based records by beat wizards like Madlib, Pete Rock, Hi-Tek, Kanye West, Just Blaze, DJ Khalil, will.i.am, Sa-Ra, and more. 

One amazing track from those sessions that really manages to capture the vibe of the entire album is a joint called "Take It Back", produced by the multi-talented Karriem Riggins. Reminiscing on hip-hop's golen age and how that music can still pick us up in the worst of times, coupled with a soothing backdrop that includes guitar, acoustic piano, live drums and the beautiful voice of Marsha Ambrosious, this is classic Kweli right here.

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