Geologic/Prometheus Brown & Bambu
“Prometheus Brown and Bambu Walk Into a Bar….”
(Beat Rock)

The combination of conscious Seattle-based emcee Geologic and LA’s Soul Assassin-cosigned spitter Bambu seems like a odd pairing, but it works well for this record with the joke-y title “Prometheus Brown and Bambu Walk into a Bar….”

Starting off with the funky Curtis Mayfield-inspired “Fuck Dog the Bounty Hunter,” “Walk into a Bar” launches into something that would’ve sounded great on Camp Lo’s first record. It also sets the tone for the record – funky beats backed with occasionally militant lyrics – which is surprisingly digestible considering how polarizing Blue Scholars and Native Guns have been in the past.

Key tracks like “The Bar” and “Mahalo,” are the kind of songs that would be huge hits in the hip-hop scene, so here’s to hoping that this album continues to gain traction.

The odd song out is also the record’s standout track: “Rashida Jones” is a playful loveletter to Quincy Jones’ daughter and “Parks and Rec” cast member that takes a cue from the beta stylings of groups like The Pharcyde and BoogieMonsters. It’s a bit of a joke-type song, but because of its auto-tuned hook, it’s easily the one that has the potential to be a legitimate radio hit, not that that’s what Bambu and Geo are going for.

Given the fact that there are variety of producers on this (Vitamin D, 6Fingers, and Budo among others), this is surprisingly consistent and enjoyable. It would be wrong to sleep on this record.

“Rashida Jones”

— Ryan Pangilinan