Oddisee: Alwasta Vinyl LP

“Alwasta” is colloquial Arabic thatloosely translates to “the plug”.It’s a fitting title for Oddisee latest effort, another exercise in independent hip-hop done right. Here the BK-based producer/emcee delivers high potencyraps with a poignant message for the everyman, all spit from the heart over self-produced beats that combine live instrumentation on top of choice samples. Impressive stuff to say the least, but it’s all in line with the quality we’ve come to expect from the Sudanese-American artist.Highlights include “Strength & Weakness,” “Wouldn’t You Be Surprised,” “Asked About You,” “Slow Groove,” and more. 7 tracks in all.

• music label: Mello Music Group 2016

reviewed by Al Pastor 07/2016