Earman Ali - 7 Foot Speakeasy Diva - CD (2003)

Labels: liquilab
Review by: Chris Bress

This CD looks pretty shit! Luckily the music isn’t. Earman Ali is some pretty good open-minded hip-hop which manages to bridge worlds of breakbeat, Def Jux style hip-hop (somewhere between Murs and a happier Company Flow), Jazz and Beastie Boys “œroot down” meets Tortoise circa “œTNT” post rockiness. Most of it really works, and although its not really the sort of thing I’d listen to regularly (especially when it goes a bit Jazz Dance) I really like it and can imagine this lot being fucking great live. The main MC really reminds me of someone else who I cant quite put my finger on which is really bugging me. One of the better hip-hop records I’ve heard in a while.