Brand new LP and 16th release of solo material from Lynn, MA presenter/producer Estee Nack. As a member of the Tragic Allies, he began his creative career as a senior in high school with his debut album, 14 Forms: The Book of Estee Nack, and has carved out a lengthy and impressive record for himself. Other highlights include Surfinongold.wav produced by Sadhugold and its sequel Order of the Golden Fleece, Papitas Duo produced by Giallo Point, his collaboration with al.divino, BRAP (Born Rewards & Penalties) produced by V Don, Griselda Records debut Nacks produced BRAPs, Gacker 2 (large rifles and pistols). But when he heard that Cookin’ Soul was working on “Al-Andalus” in full force, the chances of it being his best material in almost a year improved.
“Santeria” opens with this lavish mafia boom bap about the struggle to achieve your dreams by serving customers, while “Inbound” brings a funkier vibe so he can detail the gangster lifestyle. Before “Touchin’ Base,” “La Bomba” takes a more jazzy, boom-bap approach and talks about taking the world into his own hands, leading Nackie Chan to start rapping about his coke.
Yung Beef appears on Bilingual Jazz’s second and final single “Telex Free Trap,” talking about shooting bums in the face, until “More or Less” reaches the midpoint of Al-Andalus, emphasizing the boom-bap element, bragging about how thick his pockets are getting. “Bread & Wine,” a collaboration with Lil Supa, finds the two talking about their unstoppable personal material, though Estee’s verse is the most personal, while “Carlito’s Way” was inspired by Edwin Torres’ novel of the same name.
“Hear Me” closes out the album’s final minutes with a talk about overcoming all the odds stacked against us, no matter where you come from, while “La Poli” spends a few minutes expressing her disdain for pigs. Planet Asia saves my favorite cameo for last, in the post-credits scene “Ghosts in the Lab,” a no-brainer for those who act like the bread doesn’t come to their liking and don’t get their status twisted.
It’s been a full year since Big Size fully produced Ankhlejohn’s seventh mixtape, The Michelin Man, to critical acclaim in the underground, and while both trailers make an admirable attempt at showcasing Spanish hip-hop artist Estee Nack getting fucked, it’s the other members of Al-Andalus who surprised me the most considering what he’s done this year is an attempt that I admire, with the productions complimenting each other’s styles perfectly. Gangster themed lyrics.
Score: 8/10
