Back catalogue: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: From the opening notes of Kamaal The Abstract, it’s clear that Q-Tip is venturing into uncharted musical territory. Known for his integral role in A Tribe Called Quest, this solo project sees him shedding the constraints of traditional hip-hop in favour of a more expansive, genre-blurring exploration. Jazz provides the backbone, but the album is an eclectic fusion, pulling in elements of funk, r&b, rock, and soul, all wrapped around Tip’s signature laid-back delivery.Tracks frequently evolve into extended jams, with lush solos and intricate improvisations scattered throughout. There’s a palpable sense of freedom and experimentation — each song feels like a journey, shifting moods and textures in unexpected ways. While many albums seek cohesion, Kamaal The Abstract thrives on its unpredictability. It’s unafraid to meander, with Tip leading his band into new sonic landscapes, guided by colourful chord progressions and a playful approach to structure. At its core, this is an album that relishes in its own contradictions. It’s bold yet introspective, loose but meticulously crafted. Q-Tip is both centre stage and part of a larger ensemble, constantly pushing the boundaries of what he, and hip-hop, could be. This project was a bold statement at the time, and it remains an adventurous, genre-defying listen that captures a moment of creative risk and vulnerability in Tip’s evolution as an artist.

Review: A track per year is said to have gone into the making of Quasimoto's 2013 hip-hop 12-tracker. The long haul is documented across a quirky, frequency-surfing selection, which at times veer from the usual wonky, tongue-in-cheek, nasally prod-rap flows and into subvertised sound collage. 'Seasons Change', for example, detours into a bolshy sample tapestry about alcoholism and the substitution of natural highs for synthetic high. Even so, it's the irreverent, conversational miasmas of 'Youngblood', 'Planned Attack' and 'LAX to JFK' that really define this mixtape slash compilation from the yellow Madlib alter-ego.