Futuristic hip-hop duo Shabazz Palaces has returned. The Seattle team of MC Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler, and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Tendai “Baba” Maraire, have released “Fast Learner,” from their forthcoming album The Don of Diamond Dreams. Due April 17th via Sub Pop Records, The Don represents the eclectic group’s fifth studio effort and first new music in three years.
Fast Learner (Ft. Purple Tape Nate)
“Fast Learner” is another futuristic, trancelike, and haunting journey with the duo. Butler’s robotic, synthed-out vocals ride over steady snares and keyboards, with building, Parliament-like bass stabs. Palace’s press material describes the sound of the track as “…New Age from the 37th century crossed with 90s R&B…,” noting that Butler laid down guitar parts for the song in addition to lyrics and harmonies. Purple Tape Nate also collaborated with the group on “Love in the Time of Kanye,” from their 2017 album Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines.
Shabazz Palaces’ The Don of Diamond Dreams Tracklisting:
The tracklist for The Don boasts contributions from Seattle connections rapper Stas THEE Boss and keyboardist Darrius Willrich, as well as saxophonist Carlos Overall, and Butler’s Knife Knights collaborator OCnotes. Supporting materials also promise the group will tour “…extensively…” this year in support of the album.
1. Portal North: Panthera
2. Ad Ventures
3. Fast Learner (ft. Purple Tape Nate)
4. Wet
5. Chocolate Souffle
6. Portal South: Micah
7. Bad Bitch Walking (ft. Stas THEE Boss)
8. Money Yoga (ft. Darrius)
9. Thanking The Girls
10. Reg Walks By The Looking Glass (ft. Carlos Overall)
Shabazz Palaces continue to defy expectations and categorization. A generation ago, Butler’s time with Digable Planets was groundbreaking in its incorporation of classic jazz and soul sounds into a hip-hop framework. Shabazz Palaces puts him at the vanguard yet again, the latest evolution in his quest to constantly reimagine the genre. The sound he achieves in conjunction with Maraire is part hip-hop, part jazz, part R&B, part experimental, and even part pop. The lone constant seems to be fluidity, and a desire to push musical boundaries to the outer reaches of the cosmos.
