Black Encyclopedia Of The Air
by Moor Mother

<3

This is a great album and it'll undoubtedly move Moor Mother toward being more popularly recognized. It's equal parts experimental and accessible. The rougher jagged edges of her earlier work have been smoothly rounded out for the most part besides a highlight toward the end. Her poetry is delivered in monotone but imbued with a solemn tenderness. This is my first time digesting a work of hers as whole project and not singling out tracks. I have to say the world concocted within thirty minutes is quite alluring. It's a cyber punk Afrofuturistic blend of a variety of rap styles dipped into the murk of menace. I'm picturing bladerunner but for black people. The identity of what is 'black' being consistently redefined throughout history as black culture has been appropriated. by commercial interests. There's a mix of free jazz, funk and rap all fast forwarded into this landscape of despair for social recognition. It's dark and I can't get enough. The wisdom delivered is peeled back a layer at time through every repeated listen, and this album is worth listening to repeatedly.
Stand out tracks are:
Temporal Control Of Light Echoes
The intro sets the stage for a deep meditation as Moor commands not only herself but the listener to be present as she expresses what's to come next by repeating a mantra that centers herself within her body. It centers me within the work each time it comes around. It's spoken word and the beat is minimal but the impact is powerful.
Vera Hall
Holy shit, I love this song.
Iso Fonk
This is probably the most 'futuristic' sounding track on the album and the sci-fi paranoia is infectious! Within a minute and thirty seconds she captures this feeling of being hunted.
Made A Circle
The most soulful track on the album. It's the most hopeful track here and hints at light within a dark place, our memories of how were loved.
Zami
F*CK YOUR TRADITION
4/5