This Time... Can Blow Your Mind

I'd forgotten how beautiful this song was: In Here feat. Nia Long from the never-released Ishmael Since 1999 LP. I know there are some promo copies around so if anyone knows how I could obtain or at least hear it please let me know... reading the press release on the old Red Ant Records site was as far as we got. I recall it was co-produced by a Marcel Sanders, and that Ish "wanted the songs to sound like the beginning of the world." A suitable feel for what was to be his rebirth as a solo artist, and perfectly describes the vibe of the few tracks I have heard.

Ish's ability to paint a picture with so many details while keeping an overall harmony is bewildering. Listen to this song: the disillusionment with 'the world' in the first few verses, the mystical/paradisal aspect as "something frozen slides in place", the emotions build up as she listens to his bitter reflections on life before trying to finally reassure him "I'm not going anywhere", at which point the guitar kicks in and man and woman come together as they've always done. No words, just vibrating electric strings making waves. This time can blow your mind, but we've also been given a sanctuary from all that. Coming back down to earth, the last verse can only be one of promise, of fidelity, which is another word for faith. We can't control much of what's outside but our hearts remain our private garden, to either neglect or nurture. There are so many other things about this song that amaze me but which I lack the eloquence to articulate. A true love song.

In Here lyrics:

A thousand plans, a million dreams
The slow crash of everything
The babies know all the words to sing
Spotlight burning down the kings
Out there

Twisting up the shiny wheels
Love kills, fake is real
Can't forget you dollar bill
Everyone'll cut a deal
Out there

It's wild in the rats race
We trying to win and beat the case
Famous(?) leave without a trace
Something frozen slides in place
Out there

It all happens razor fast
Waiting for your chance to blast
Trade love for fun and dough for trust
Ash to cash and dust to dust
Out there

This time
Can blow your mind

But you won't lie and I won't flee
We rich, we broke, we trapped, we free
And I won't lie and you won't freeze
We rich, we broke, we trapped, we free
And we can solve this mystery
Then me is you and you'll be me
In here

We Only Pursue That Which Destroys

Dividing an artist's career into distinct stages is useful only in so far as it helps us get a grip on what can be a bewilderingly wide spectrum of work. Based on his four artistic personae then, we could view Ish's output as falling under these four phases: Digable Planets, Ishmael, Cherrywine, and Shabazz Palaces. Today's entry covers all of the above.

Firstly, a classic clip (1992?) of Digable performing Rebirth of Slick on In Living Color.

Secondly, a rare and insightful commentary and dialogue by Mtume ya Salaam and Kalamu ya Salaam on Cherrywine and how that particular persona allowed Ish to be as 'political' as ever while distancing himself from the usual political discourse. This is from back in 2005; refreshing to see that someone actually got it! Strictly speaking, Salaam's argument also covers the second phase as his argument draws upon 16th minute, a song from that unreleased 'holy grail', Ishmael Since 1999.

Finally, some Shabazz for you! Andrew Matson was fortunate enough to interview Ish before his debut show, although the end product features less of the interviewee's thoughts than the interviewer's. Telling us of Lazaro's speaking in 'philosophical abstractions about his creative process' and failing to quote him is tantalising to the point of cruelty! Somewhat more satisfyingly, Larry Mizell Jr weighs in with a muscular commentary on Seattle's hip-hop royalty. And a little more here. Finally, here are some photos from the show thanks to Joey Baltimore:









I have to apologise for the lack of updates. I've now realised that I simply won't be able to produce any of my own commentary/essays on Shabazz Palaces until I complete my studies this summer, so until then I hope to continue linking to other good stuff, insha Allah.

Shabazz Palaces of Light Opens Its Doors

Shabazz Palaces' first proper show, in Seattle, was by all accounts something special. Eric Grandy of The Stranger newspaper has written a review here.

So overwhelmed was The Seattle Times's Andrew Matson that he has refused to write a review in his post-gig delirium.



There is also some tantalising video footage, despite the sound quality. Jason Folk Bennet has uploaded the first twelve minutes of the show here and here. A cameraman with a slightly better microphone has uploaded We All Go and Chuch; thanks notioning. Even from the poor footage the tremendousness of the night is undeniably apparent.

From the rabid praise burning up hip-hop message boards, it seems that Shabazz Palaces is continuing to manifest itself in the world, just as it was meant to.

Video Omnibus

Peace be upon you.

4 worthy videos to end the year in style:

Firstly, one from the vault: Digable on Letterman in 1993 performing a sunny rendition of Where I'm From. Check out Doodlebug's dance moves! I'm convinced that things were better then. Not in type, just degree. As Ish has argued in his "Excerpt from Curse Words" address on shabazzpalaces.com the last twenty years have seen a marked degradation masquerading as 'progress'. '93 still had about it an air of the 80s that was nothing but a memory by '97.

Secondly, the Digable show at Anaheim's House of Blues from Sep 17th 2008. I personally remember the electric atmosphere at the London show in Febuary 2005 but this was on another level altogether, thanks in part to Victor Tapia's brilliant percussion. Songs: Rebirth of Slick (remix), An untitled new track [presumably meant for the ill-fated reunion LP], another unidentified new track [with Ish's lyrics from SP's "A Mess.."], and an undescribably cool renditon of Pacifics. In 2 parts.

Thirdly, a rare interview by WBC Magazine, from last month. Digable Planets is now officially Ish and C-Knowledge, aka 'The Oil Brothers'. Interesting name... Oil features largely in Shabazz Palaces' iconography as I hope to discuss in a later post.

Fourthly, and bringing the story to the present, the Shabazz Palaces show on KEXP radio has been uploaded onto 'You Tube' complete with visuals, lyrics, and 800-year old Sufi poetry from Rumi, thanks to an appreciative fan going by the name of Koobkang.

Looking ahead, Shabazz Palaces will be playing their first show at Neumos in Seattle, WA on January 8th 2010. There's a huge buzz surrounding this date so expect a sell out and get your tickets soon... and someone, please, record it!

Radio Appearance: Listen Up (do it now listen up)

The short but sweet 20 minute (not one hour as I expected) SP appearance on KEXP FM was quite delicious, nutritious, and downright vicious. You can hear it here via streaming and it's been uploaded onto You Tube here. Also, I recorded it and can send anyone the mp3 if they'd like to have it. Just ask.

Although it's billed as an interview as well as set, it's amusing to note the astounded even bewildered tone of the host, Mr Mizell Jr (above). He was definitely as blown away as us listeners by this. Indeed what is one to ask Ish regarding SP?! Best to sit back and enjoy the sounds; it'll be a few years at least before we're able to start to piece together the fragments of this sonic bomb blast.

Respect to KEXP, Larry Mizell Jr, and the Raindrop Hustla.

Butterfly n Doodlebug 2009 Tour

Catch Ish and C-Knowledge on tour performing Digable classics as well as their respective solo projects this autumn/winter. If you make it please record some SP songs and upload them. S'il vous plait.

4 Nov 2009 KENT, Ohio
6 Nov 2009 Rock Island, Illinois
7 Nov 2009 Des Moines, Iowa
8 Nov 2009 St. Louis, Missouri
10 Nov 2009 Chicago, Illinois
11 Nov 2009 MADISON, Wisconsin
12 Nov 2009 Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Nov 2009 Lawrence, Kansas
2 Dec 2009 Santa Barbara, California
3 Dec 2009 West Hollywood, California
4 Dec 2009 San Diego, California
5 Dec 2009 San Francisco, California
7 Dec 2009 Santa Cruz, California
9 Dec 2009 Sebastol, California
11 Dec 2009 Seattle, Washington
12 Dec 2009 Boise, Idaho
13 Dec 2009 Portland, Oregon

For more info and to hear the new track "Freshout" visit the myspace page.

A Nickel Bag of What?

A blast from the past performed just recently. Ish comes with all new lyrics which as anyone who has been following Digable's live performances knows, has been somewhat of a tradition with this song since the beginning. Far into 'the zone' and thankfully it has been recorded and uploaded for posterity. A shame that no one has yet uploaded footage of the SP tracks which were said to have been performed at the beginning of the show. Take note!