Blu - The Color Blu(e)

MANAGING THE DOLDRUMS, CURING THE BLUES

Much like the color itself, Blu is always there. It's above us, and he's below, forever representing Hip-Hop's honest, humble, hopeful underground. Up until last year, despite a prolific career with over a dozen albums, Blu was often seen as a prodigy never able to reclaim his treasured debut; Below The Heavens. That changed with the ambitious Miles, which found he and longtime partner-in-crime Exile reliving their Soul-ravished days of yore through the lens of maturation. It was brilliant, reclaiming that organic, home-brewed sound he lost whilst venturing into the streets on gruff releases like Good To Be Home, Bad Neighbor, and Los Angeles Summer Night. Like De La Soul throwing aside their D.A.I.S.Y. Age on Stakes Is High and Grind Date, hoping to shun their gentile side for one more in-line with Hip-Hop's machoism, Blu gambled the same. But this is where he thrives. Almost to a fault, The Color Blu(e) is emblematic of his burning passion for delivering the truth, once again evoking Jazz legends to provide the lamentation, as he philosophizes all that surrounds him. And that, in so many ways, is blue.

And yes, if you hadn't noticed yet based on the title, cover, or tracklist, Blu goes further than he ever has illustrating and interpreting his namesake. And this is from a man who seemingly, up until now (after being proven wrong), used every sample in the annals of Blues to convey his litany of messages. But even that won't prepare you for the deluge of "blues" coming in every direction. It gets draining, undoubtedly, yet I'm still impressed Blu's able to find rhymes, impart wisdom, and invoke the past with remarkable freshness. It's all accomplished through his passion for the art of Rap, spitting as if his life depends on it. Which it sure as hell does. These songs float with his buoyant spirit (enchanted by the featherweight touch of producers like Exile), despite remaining down to earth and ingrained in the desires of the fighting class. The duality is immaculate, a distinction between awareness and naivety, understanding that despite the world's odds, it's best to cherish them through the eyes of a child.

Here, as with all Blu's best, the rapper takes on one role - the mind - as the producer takes on another - the soul. Tracks like 'I Am Blu(e)' and 'People Call Me Blu(e)' flutter with a flurry of vintage samples radiating blithe. The latter in particular comes straight out of Prince Paul's playbook, with that groovy spine shaking in intervals, highly reminiscent of 3 Feet High & Rising. Others, like 'I Was Born To Be Blu(e)' and 'Blu(e)r Than Blu(e)' take on assumed, out-of-context roles, transforming morose vocals into motivational subsets using bouncy pianos or classic Boom Bap drums. The latter, with its heartfelt vocal string extending beyond norms of human possibility, reminds me of one of Blu's greatest works, an unfortunate unmastered deep cut left to wither: 'Till I Die.' Listen to that song if you haven't.

Though Blu stumbles occasionally on his dialogues and intent - this, most apparent in the third verse of 'We Are Darker Than Blu(e)' - he more than often knocks it out of the park, saving the best for last. 'Mr. Blu(e)' is a near-perfect representation of Blu & Exile's work together, soulful and loving, finding the rapper taking on a parental role, lending advice and inspiration for those of the next generation. It's my personal favorite. But 'Blu(e) World' is just as impressive, unfurling a beautiful biography of a life gone too soon. This recalls the storytelling that lent treasures to Blu's early career, like 'Cold Hearted,' while contributing a compassionate hand to all those who've recently passed and inspired Blu in some way, shape, or form. It is a touching tribute, though does feel a tad overdone after taking into account Miles songs like 'Roots Of Blue' and 'To The Fall, But Not Forgotten.' That's a bit of a minor complaint for an otherwise great album that manages to bring out the best in Hip-Hop, Blu it's protector.