Eight years ago Q-Tip was smacking it. He’d hit the charts twice with the club joints Breath & Stop and Vivrant Thing, both of which having their origins on an album which was far from commercially minded. Ever the visionary, Tip wasn’t stopping there. He went back into the lab and emerged with the Kamaal the Abstract project. An album pre-empting both Common (Electric Circus) and Outkast (The Love below/Speakerboxx) in its exploration of Psych-Rock/Hip Hop/Jazz elements.
Although Kamaal received some good early reviews, L.A. Reid (who had since taken over from Clive Davis – the producer that originally ok’d the project) decided there wasn’t a strong single in the collection and shelved the project. Those who knew picked up the 12″ sampler a few years back but the entire collection has never seen a full release….until now.
Today sees the long awaited release of the project in its entirety…..and about time. I feel what L.A. Reid was saying, its not really a chart oriented vibe…but as a solid and exploratory musical offering from an artist who has kept it moving from then till when? It’s almost criminal it has taken this long to bless the people. Check these clips of Tip telling the story of the album and the motivation behind some of its contents….and when you’ve done, pick it up here….
Q-Tip: Kamaal The Abstract (Out Sept. 15th 2009) from By Any Means T.V. on Vimeo.
Q-Tip – “Barely In Love” from By Any Means T.V. on Vimeo.
Q-Tip – “Do You Dig U?” from By Any Means T.V. on Vimeo.
Q-Tip – “Feelin” from By Any Means T.V. on Vimeo.
By Etienne
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