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The feel-good hip-hop popularized by groups such as A Tribe Called Quest gets a prominent nod, sure, but so too does a smattering of dub influence, funk samples and even soulful singing (Sly himself belts out a few lines on “Until You Get Home”). As a result, the final product stands as one that excels in several disciplines. His confident delivery and thought-provoking lyrics exude the aura of a true thinker, a welcome shift from the recent, expected recipe for success for locals in the more radio-friendly line of the same work.
Indeed, this isn’t your favorite local urban radio station’s hip-hop. Sly’s brand is more of the thoughtful, narrative variety–and, as such, his The Unseen Mechanism album stands as one of the more surprising, exciting releases in what has already been well-established as a banner year for DFW music.
After the jump, check a cut from Sly’s record to see what we’re getting at on this one…
Bonus mp3:
