Blowout Comb (studio album) by Digable Planets

Album Rating: 83.00
(913/11)

1.The May 4th Movement Starring Doodlebug. 78
2.Black Ego. 86
3.Dog It. 83
4.Jettin'. 79
5.Borough Check. 83
6.Highing Fly / Agent 7 Creamy Spy Theme. N/A
7.Dial 7 (Axioms Of Creamy Spies) / NY 21 Theme. 79
8.The Art Of Easing. 84
9.K.B.'s Alley (Mood Dudes Groove). 75
10.Graffiti. 76
11.Blowing Down. 76
12.9th Wonder (Blackitolism). 89
13.For Corners. 99

Digable Planets - Blowout Comb is one of those albums that combine hip hop with jazz, which is a description that fits to a myriad of albums, but this is clearly one that belongs to the top tier. However, I have to say that in general jazz is one of those genres with many albums I have no trouble appreciating but hardly any I consider to be highly enjoyable or in my favorites. Anyway, credit is mainly due to the production for this achievement. The choice of samples is inspired, but the live instrumentation is what skyrockets this album, just check Black Ego or Dog It. Not many albums -if any- sound like this, at least from what I can think of, feel free to disagree and point out any similar sounding ones. In fact, it could be argued that the jazz elements are so powerful that hip hop becomes secondary - which in general wouldn't be that much of a problem, but in a hop hop tournament it could be an issue. I don't think that's the case, though, the overall atmosphere the album creates does indeed feel closer to a jazz album than a hip hop one, but it manages to keep the balance throughout ("The noise that we made is blue, in color sound Toys who played my crew couldn't walk the new ground Or chalk the new sound A bop like Teddy Charles was burning"). Rapping might not be spectacular by itself, but in this specific environment works more than fine. The lyrics can safely be ignored for the most part - even the verses that have some lines I found cool feel like I've heard them before ("I was raised in the ways of the Manchu Clan And five elements posture, take a B-boy stance With the gold front shining, baggy pants sagging This Brooklyn styling got the fly girls smiling But I'm climbing, finding new ways of rhyming Not living like a star, it's strictly bout surviving Diving, deep into the grooves of the ghetto This downtown flavor shines from many angles Yes the notorious, with rhymes so glorious The Manchu Monkey over flunkies is victorious Rappers be boring us with rhymes so conventional Dazed and amazed when they hear the three dimensional Lyrical skills of the insect in motion Coasting down Fulton with a bag of magic potion"), you won't miss out on much, but let's be honest, if lyrics are your priority you should be looking at a different direction, you don't listen to this for its lyrics, its trumps lie elsewhere.

From Larcx13 11/06/2020 12:28

Belongs amongst the greatest hip hop records ever released. Nothing sounds like this. The instruments were recorded live so that's a big plus.

Digable Planets is a rap trio formed in Brooklyn in 1987, and "Blowout comb" is their second and last real album. He was released in 1994, at a very exciting time for rap. Many musical genres are explored by hip hop, the fusion with jazz is one of the most important. And in this mid-decade, the relevant examples of jazz rap are not lacking (A Tribe Called Quest, Guru, the Roots, The Nonce...) The two albums of Digable Planets are other perfect examples. The album is very balanced: soul and jazz samples integrate perfectly with the instrumental parts. The voices of Butterfly (now a member of the Shabazz Palace duo), Doodlebug and Ladybug Mecca are complementary. Behind the nonchalant groove, "Blowout comb" is dark, and the lyrics are often engaged. The overall impression is organic, natural, and above all very pleasant. Brooklyn rap is really the best!

9/10

Best track: "9th Wonder (Blackitolism)"

Yeah, I was sleeping hard on this album. Even though I do feel Reachin was a excellent record. I do feel this knock it out by a smidgen.

From poppmusic 06/15/2016 06:13

"Black Ego" and "For Corners" will appeal most at first, but the whole album is just the embodiment of chill city living and an excellent distillation of black culture.

From junodog4 01/31/2015 22:10

No Cool Like Dat, but a more consistent album. Underrated.

From swhaze 04/21/2014 19:21

This album was inventive during its time but didn't yield any chartable hits.

Best hip-hop/rap jazz album with big soul!