More on the Gorillaz’ outstanding Plastic Beach if I ever dig myself out from under the giant pile of “real work” that’s been consuming my life for the past few weeks, but until then consider “Sweepstakes”. Mos Def’s return from the shores of insanity (aka: Kool Keith land) has been one of the more pleasant surprises in recent memory, particularly because he’s kept the eccentric streak but abandoned the inconsistency that’s made most of his last decade a wash.
If The Ecstatic made anything clear it’s that the man needs strong collaborators with the same progressive itch to make sure his creative impulses are pointed in the right direction. Damon Albarn more than qualifies for the position here, dropping an off-kilter slab of wonky madness that ranks up there with anything released by the new generation of Glasgow dro-puffers. Mos tackles it admirably considering the unwieldy rhythm, but things get REALLY interesting once the whole thing shifts into an entirely new beat around the guy’s voice. Then, just when you think you have a handle on it, the track explodes into a Miami bass marching rhythm courtesy of The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. The end results sounds like Dilla and Andre 3000 sharing a blunt in England while the aforementioned mighty Mos spazzes out in the background and if that’s not enough to warrant a download, I don’t know what does. Necessary listening and a lock for any reputable end of the year list.
Download
MP3: The Gorillaz – Sweepstakes ft Mos Def & The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (left click)
