Cool Hunting

Dirty Science is hip-hop for grown folks, non-believers, and heads alike, and a welcome debut solo album from Exile. Hailing from Los Angeles, beatmaker extraordinaire Exile has been developing his coarsely chopped beat style and laid back soulful vibe for a minute (ten years to be exact), as half of the group Emanon, and on numerous single releases.

Like most producer-driven hip-hop albums, Dirty Science is far from a solo effort, with guest vocal appearances from Detroit luminaries Slum Village and Ta’Raach, up-and-coming LA verbalists Aloe Blacc and Blu (who also both have solo debuts on the way this year), and Wu-Tang alumnus, and hip-hop superhero, Ghostface. The geographical distribution of the lyricists is mirrored by the balance of vibes. The lyrics run the gamut from mainstay machismo posturing to introspective with a refreshing focus on the thoughtful end of the spectrum. And there are fresh beats to match.

Some favorites: “Summertime in LA” is a happy electro-doo-wop summer anthem featuring vocalist Miguel Jontel. “Move on ‘Em” the track featuring Ta’Raach of the Laks is a dirty party-starter riding on a bouncy reassembly of a mutilated D-Train classic. And “Silver Moon”, the only fully instrumental track (vocals are sampled) is a raw jazz piano groove with a hard bossa makeover. Pick it up from Access Hip-Hop.

by DJ Scribe