I'm not sure how many rap fans we have on this board. I'm by no means an expert on the genre, though I'm learning, and my appreciation of the art form is ever expanding. Still, I would never presume to announce the best rap album of the year, or assume any level of expertise on the subject.

What I do feel comfortable saying, however, is that Q-Tip, former member of A Tribe Called Quest, has a new record coming out tomorrow called The Renaissance, which is thrilling, essential listening for hip-hop enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. It is, simply put, a killer record, a display of craft and vision that is simply unparalleled in the hip-hop world. I've written a full review, which I'll post in a day or two, but, for now, I present John Bush, who speaks in fairly lofty terms about Q-Tip's greatness:



And:

I saw this guy on VH1 promoting his CD in a brief interview. He looked kind of old to me. I'm happy to see he's still around. I came to know him through his appearance on De la Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising, which I bought when I was a freshman in college. That's the only recording by Q-Tip I've ever heard. Figured he's gone the way of the dodo since.

He's been in record label purgatory for years now. Evidently, he's been steadily recording, and has made three or four albums in the past few years, but, dismayingly, his label won't release them.

BTW, Christian, you might be interested to note that Q-Tip recruited a live band for this album, which includes, among others, one jazz guitar master Kurt Rosenwinkel, who also receives co-writing credits on a couple of songs.

That's great news, Josh. So how is it as "band record"? I mean, is Q-Tip primarily sampling, with some added layering from a live band, or does it sound like a holistic performance? It's hard for me to imagine what a hip-hop album (not my area of expertise; not even close) with a live band might sound like.

Well, there are definitely some samples and plenty of post-production work, but there's also a lot of interplay and chemistry between the musicians. As far as hip-hop albums go, it's almost impossibly warm and lived-in, definitely feeling organic rather than assembled, if you know what I mean.

Stereogum is streaming the song "Life is Better," featuring Norah Jones.

Christian - if you want to check out a hip-hop group with a live band please listen to the Roots, especially their earlier albums.

Hip-Hop was the first musical genre that I really cut my teeth on. From 1991 to 1993, it was all I listened to. I would wait up on Friday nights so I could watch Yo! MTV Raps. I heard alot of great artists and what might be considered their peak during that era - Nas, Genius, the Roots, De La Soul, Souls of Mischief, the Pharcyde, the Wu-Tang Clan, Digable Planets, De La Soul, etc. Of all those, a Tribe Called Quest was by far my favorite and of the members of the Tribe, Q-Tip was the best. A Tribe Called Quest's run from People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm through Midnight Marauders is untouchable. As further proof, their best of anthology is 80% comprised of that three album run. For what its worth there is a remix album of songs from that period that is also outstanding.

Sadly, I've lost connection with hip-hop over the years, but I still love listening to all my old Tribe tapes.

Oh, and Christian - the De La Soul track you mention, "Buddy", is AWESOME!

Kyle, if you love those Tribe albums, you'll love this, too. It's as if they never left.

Yes. I don't follow hip-hop closely enough to speak knowledgeably about the genre as a whole, but I know I love those albums. If Q-Tip's new album is anything like that trio of albums (and it sounds like it is), then it will be very good indeed.

Christian, I second Kyle's recommendation of the Roots. It's not just MCs with some band, either; the band is INTEGRAL to the sound.

I have to check this out. I really got into rap when I was younger, as in 10 years or so (Biz Markie, De La Soul, Digital Underground, older L.L. Cool J, Young MC). I'm not an expert, by any means, but there are a few albums — Blackalicious's Blazing Arrow, Jurassic 5's first EP — that are among my favorite releases of the past 10 years or so.

Here's my review. I'm just one voice among many, of course-- this thing is winning raves across the board.

The Roots were the first concert I ever attended. I was a freshman in high school. They played a small club in Portland. I was one of a handful of white kids at a predominantly african-american show. I felt really cool.



I listened to sound clips of Q-Tip's new album and heck yes, it sounds like vintage Tribe. The best part is that it didn't feel like a trip down memory lane but a fresh expansion of past sounds. Of course that was from 30-second sound bites.




Nice review by the way Josh. Well written for a genre outside your main area of expertise. I think that speaks volumes for cross over appeal of the album as well. Even people that aren't hip-hop heads will enjoy it!

*nods* This is actually a very good gateway album into hip-hop, particularly for jazz fans.