The wait is finally over for one of Southern California's best kept secrets. It's been ten long years since Exile, and Aloe Blacc met and started releasing mix tapes. Having toured all over the world opening for the likes of De La Soul, Naughty By Nature, KRS-1, and Talib Kweli, the duo had only released one EP to this point, 2002's Amon And On, choosing to work on their debut all this time until it felt like a classic to them. And I, for one, say it's a job well done. For basically complete unknowns, this is a very professional album showing that Blacc has good range as a lyricist and Exile has the ear to follow the changes in mood suitably as required.
Ex pairs a plethora of samples ranging from dub world music to Latin lounge guitars and various other subtle and unusual instruments with a tasty selection of underground beats. Occasionally he patterns himself a little too closely to Madlib, most noticeably with "Make Music," which lifts the basic structure of Madvillain's "Meat Grinder." It is possible that was a coincidence, but similarities spring up on several tracks. Madlib was an obvious influence. With the doo-wop of "The World Don't Sing," Blacc plays into the eclectic mould of K-os dedicating the lyrical half of The Waiting Room to personal spirituality and social issues.
As a group, Emanon lets their colors show with a chopped-up George Dubya speech at the tail end of "The World Don't Sing," where Exile encourages Bush into admitting his administration is committing murder before impeccably segueing into the plan setting sarcasm of "Politician." The Flevans-like guitar/piano sample package the title track is based around unquestionably makes for one of the most contemplative hip-hop tracks of the year. Check it out. Now... go home and die.
1. Count Your Blessings
2. The Words
3. More Than You Know
4. Pseudo
5. Make Music
6. The World Don't Sing
7. Politician
8. The Waiting Room
9. Four Square
10. A Story
11. Ahh Ouai
12. Not What It Seems
13. Six Million Ways
14. She Thinks
15. Farewell
More about: Emanon
