2021-08-09 – Panorama of the Mountains

Album: One More Saturday Night
Artist: The Halluci Nation
Release Date: July 30, 2021
Label: The Halluci Nation
Favorite Tracks:

“It’s Over”
“NDN Kars (Remix)”
“The OG”
“Collaboration ≠ Appropriation”

Thoughts:

Formerly known as A Tribe Called Red, The Halluci Nation are a duo of Tim “2oolman” Hill and Ehren “Bear Witness” Thomas, First Nations artists who mix electronic sounds with traditional indigenous musical styles. They originated their sound at Electric Pow Wow club nights in Ottawa and have continued to wow me with their albums and singles over the years. On this latest release they are joined by many guest artists and venture into different styles like hip hop, dubstep, and R&B, although the electric pow wow remains at the base of it all.

Rating: ***1/2

Related Posts:

Album: Welcome 2 America
Artist: Prince
Release Date: July 30, 2021
Label: NPG
Favorite Tracks:

“Welcome 2 America”
“Stand Up And B Strong”
“When She Comes”
“One Day We Will All B Free”

Thoughts: Recorded in 2010, this is the first posthumous album of previously-unreleased songs by Prince. Backed by by bassist Tal Wilkenfeld and drummer Chris Coleman, the album contains funky tracks reminiscent of P-Funk as well as earlier Prince music. Lyrically, the songs focus on topical issues of 2010, many of which feel relevant still in 2021. The problem is that as a protest song writer, Prince has no subtly. He observes a lot of America’s problems but really has nothing to say about those problems. With that being said, it’s a solid album by a great artist and his collaborators, even if it pales besides his best work.
Rating: ***