Blu - No York [4LP]

Experience an experiment turned masterpiece... York! Los Angeles emcee Blu's oft-delayed masterpiece has been the talk of the internet for years, but has never seen a proper retail release. Now, the album (which features U-God of Wu-Tang Clan, Pac Div, UNI, J*Davey, Tiron, Ayomari, and more) is now released in a deluxe vinyl edition. The vinyl comes in a limited-edition four-LP set with three non-CD bonus tracks. While Blu has turned in a number of critically acclaimed projects lately, NoYork (also known as York) is his most ambitious project to date. Applying timeless vocals over detailed, textured instrumentals, Blu seems to have placed himself at the forefront of a new genre, melding classic hip-hop lyricism with the experimentation of the L.A. beat scene. With contributions from beat icons like Flying Lotus, Exile, Shafiq Husayn of Sa Ra, Daedalus, Dibia$e, and Samiyam, the album boasts a unique sonic backdrop that sets it apart from his previous work. As Blu explains: "It's not a state, it's a state of mind.