My album pic for this month is Alphabet Soup "Layin' Low in the Cut". 1995 Swan Song records. CD.
Acid jazz is loosely defined as a music genre that combines elements of funk, soul, and hip hop as well as jazz. This album definitely fits that description. Unlike most hip hop, this group is built around an actual band performing on actual instruments, instead of deriving beats from samples, and it's an excellent band at that. I've seen them twice, so I can attest to that.
There's also two " rappers" if you will. However, there's no cussing, boasting or dissing, talkin bout bitches and all that. Just socially conscious lyrics that tell a story, with absolutely right delivery. Songs like " Oppression" , " Oppression is worse than the grave, said it's better to die for a noble cause, than to live and die a slave". The lyrics are even printed in case you missed some words. They do fly by pretty quick.
Which brings me to the sound. The recording is perfect. Everything absolutely clear, defined. Tight drums, bass, sparkling Rhodes, rich clear sax, and clearly understandable vocals. The guitarist only steps out a bit on one song, which is a shame, cause he's an absolute virtuoso, sounding a bit like Allan Holdsworth.
Anyhow, if you ever wanted to dip into the acid jazz, hip hop genre, this is the album for you. If you're like " I don't want to hear people talking at me", like a friend once said, you need not apply.