Minneapolis, Minnesota activist and fight emcee Brother Ali teams up with Oakland, California-based producer unJUST to release his eighth full-length record just four and a half years after the release of Evidence-produced Secrets & Escapes. Exploding the underground with 2003’s sophomore effort Shadows in the Sun and 2007’s follow-up The Undisputed Truth, he would go on to release a string of critically acclaimed releases with Us, as well as the Jake One-produced “Mourning in America” and “Dreaming in Color” and all the beauty of this life. Don’t forget to mention Ali’s debut EP Champion, which turns 20 in a few weeks, and his debut mixtape Left in the Deck. It’s been a few years since we last heard from his fourth EP, Brother Minutester, which marked his departure from Rhymesayers Entertainment after nearly 20 years. So, Love & Service is the first album he’s released through his own label, Traveler’s Media, but it’s still interesting to see some of the features on it.
After the “Chapter 1” intro, the first song “Ottomans” is a banging opener that welcomes everyone to the feast and tells every listener that, in addition to the “mumble rap” jab, they are now on Rock out with a true, living master. “The Collapse” calls out to those dazzled by flashing warning signs who continue to dance in the midst of it all, collapsing to the dazzling instrumental sound of summer, but then “Manik” featuring Aesop Rock & Casual brings the trio to Brought together their battle rap package was 4 minutes long.
“Nom De Plume” is a bit more in need of an uncanny vibe, talking about having to pay part of the dues to get him to give you this information, which makes him shed blood and tears on any stage, while “Cadillac” blends that Organ and guitar strumming discuss his father-in-law’s titular yellow whip. Roc Marciano’s “Gauntlet” goes in a jazzier direction, talking about doing other things their whole life, almost leading to “Howlin’ Wolf” skipping brass sample rock and moans like the blues icon with the same name.
Quelle Chris joins Ali Newman on the spacious “Ghosts,” pleading not to let them walk alone before the title track smoothly talks about how at the end of the day it’s all about love and service. “Worthy” continues as the album comes to a close, with an energetic beat that affirms that each of us is worthy of love, and culminates in “Inside,” Ali’s first full-length album in nearly five years. Vulnerably, he told the story of being unable to hold back tears.
Most of Brother Ali’s records are of very high quality, and while this isn’t one of my favorite projects of his, I still find it absolutely tolerable. unJUST uses the ASR-10 sampler to deliver warm, non-quantized sounds from the ’70s and ’80s that cut and flip educational children’s films, in the process tightly combining Ali’s deep and profound thoughts on God, death, empire, and beauty. think.
Rating: 7/10
