Mos Def will release his sophomore solo album, “The New Danger” on October 12th through Geffen Records. The 18-track set will feature the tracks "Boogie Man," "Ghetto Rock," "Close Edge," "Y.E.A." and "Bed Stuy Parade and Funeral March," among others. The staunch hip-hop devotees who crave the beats and rhymes of his earlier 12s may balk upon first listen but this is a fascinating follow-up, a beautiful, messy, rough and real display of versatility and fearlessness unequalled in today’s rap climate. It’s devoid of guests and characterised by thick, heavy sonics: ‘Sex, Love and Money’ is the mystic, voodoo-affected opener and ‘Sunshine’, Kanye West’s
contribution, is a likely single. Bassy rock aesthetics dress songs
like ‘Zimzallabim’, ‘Ghetto Rock’ and Black Jack’, the merging of rap and guitars here seeing a rare triumph.

The record’s centrepiece, ‘Modern Marvel’, is a stunning three parted, ten minute epic, beginning with a muted Marvin Gaye loop from ‘What’s Going On’, before someone turns on the drum machine during the second movement and the mic in the third, just in time to catch a verse about the revered artist the song samples. After that ride the horns of ‘Life Is Real’ ground you again before ‘Panties Come On’ and ‘Champion Requiem’ close things out, speaking,

singing and rapping featuring in equal measures. The New Danger has little to do with the fad-driven trends that govern so much contemporary black music but it isn’t an anomaly too far, the artist more than capable enough to execute his far-flung ideas with rare and genuine confidence. Eccentric and
exceptional, it’s a potent reminder of the possibilities of hip-hop in a time when few are trying to exhaust them.

http://www.mosdefinitely.com