Blu NoYork!

After West Coast rapper/producer Blu dropped three distinctively different collaborative LPs in 2007 and '08, he opted to take another route in releasing his music. Along with working more as a producer, he spent much of next two years releasing free projects. Some were fully instrumental affairs, such as NoSleepForADay. Others, including the very good, cinematic HerFavoriteColo(u)r., boasted new rhymes and beats from Blu. He also leaked a rough copy of what was meant to be his solo debut, TheGODleeBarnesLP, that was scrapped when he lost all of files. Then, in the summer of 2010, Blu began premiering new songs in concert. These slightly gritty, almost rock-tinged tracks would act as a preview of NoYork!, his proper debut as a solo artist. He's joined on here by fellow left-coast acts Flying Lotus and Samiyam, who will handle the bulk of the production.

Abstract by Andrew Martin