Gift of Gab, best known as the MC in the duo Blackalicious, is set to release his first solo album in five years, which is rather infrequent for someone who calls himself Gift of Gab... I'm just saying. Escape 2 Mars, the follow-up to 2004's 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up, is mostly produced by DNAEBEATS, with a few songs by Hednodic of The Mighty Underdogs, plus guest spots from Del The Funky Homosapien and Brother Ali.
The space-travel theme is apparently a device in delivering Mr. Gab's message about saving our own planet, warning that we might someday have to leave it behind for Mars. The environmental-protection/harbinger-of-space-colonization message is strong to both activists and players of Starcraft alike. Luckily, these two demographics make up 83% of Gab's fanbase, and record sales are expected to be illustrious.
Escape 2 Mars comes out on CD, vinyl, and digital download October 27, which is my birthday. I assume it is meant to be a gift for me, and I appreciate the sentiment. I guess it is pretty cool, but if they really knew me they'd know what I really want for my birthday is a new Joanna Newsom album.
Escape 2 Mars tracklisting:
1. E2MTRO
2. El Gifto Magnifico
3. Lightyears
4. Dreamin' (feat. Del The Funky Homosapien & Brother Ali)
5. In Las Vegas
6. Escape 2 Mars
7. Electric Waterfalls
8. Richman, Poorman
9. Someofthepeople
10. Spotlight
11. Rhyme Travel
12. Dreamin' (Aqua Sawtooth Remix) *
* Bonus for vinyl version only
Oh, also, he's going to go on tour in the fall and the winter and the spring. Just a few dates so far:
09.03.09 - Austin, TX - Aces Lounge
09.04.09 - Mobile, AL - Alabama Music Box
09.05.09 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theater
09.11.09 - Horseshoe, NC - Deerfields Music Park (Trinumeral Festival)