Although his albums might not always be easy finds in stores, few artists are better or more consistent at making them than Blu. Early in 2009, the California emcee/producer offered up Her Favorite Colo(u)r, a free collection of songs that came just months after Blu & Mainframe delivered an overlooked indie masterpiece in Johnson & Jonson. Fans used their mouses and indulged in the generosity, but the musical conversation drifted onto other topics, as Blu aligned with Warner Brothers’ Sire subsidiary and went off the grid for a bit. Brooklyn’s Nature Sounds Records changed that, re-presenting Her Favorite Colo(u)r in the context of an album, with remastering, formal pressings and a rightful addition to a catalog that should make Johnson Barnes’ major label peers blush.
Without drifting into the real estate owned by Kid Cudi or Joe Budden, Blu frequently presents himself as an unstable man who has a knack for pinpointing emotions and feelings. The emcee doesn’t want the listener’s pity or compassion, he instead proclaims, “Fuck a rapper / I’m an actor in a film called Leave Me The Fuck Alone Till I Find A Real Job.” That’s the aesthetic Blu aims for with this project, not a show-off emcee, but a man rhyming about the role of love and lust in his life, looking for anything but attention. Interestingly enough, the project’s bulk of two-minute tunes enforce this, as do bulky movie samples from famous cult classics where awkwardness and lewdness about love are strong. It just so happens that Blu commands it. “Pardon” and its Curtis Mayfield understated influence finds Blu rapping carefree as if he’s party-rocking, but even in light moments, the emcee is hung up on love and loneliness. He speaks about Valentine’s Days spent alone, but the song moves like liquid, as the sentiment is sandwiched between Blu describing a time when he’s surrounded by gangsters to an allusion to Jesus Christ’s ascent from the manger.
Equally impressive is Blu’s production. While Below The Heavens was a shared platform with Exile as J&J was with Mainframe, Blu’s sound is truly unique. Pulling samples from unlikely Jazz sources, Her Favorite Colo(u)r is deeply influenced by Billie Holiday-era Jazz. Pianos and vocals showcase Blu as a guy whose learned from those around him, but has a sound all of his own, definitely in the Madlib, Oh No, Slum Village conversation. “Melo” is big and brassy, sounding like a 1960s film soundtrack, where “Peace” is mellow and groovy. Blu weaves it all together, as this work may be his production coming out party, a gift that’s been understated compared to his minimalist lyricism and strong emotional songwriting.
When he doesn’t have a microphone to share (see C.R.A.C.’s The Piece Talks), Blu is one of the premiere album-makers in Hip Hop. Two years overdue, Her Favorite Colo(u)r deserves to be looked at as an album, and the remastering and packaging makes this a worthy third solo album in a flawless catalog. This work succeeds with its sincerity, intimacy and originality. Left to his own devices with a beat machine, some lined paper and a bottle of brown liquor, few rappers in Hip Hop today can make music better than John Barnes.
FIRST! HOT FIRE!
fuck first
Can’t wait to hear how the major label debut is gona sound.
Love this album. Please release Below The Heavens again! BLU is the best!
dop l.a. shit
Wordsworth is better than him. If you like Blu, you should listen to Mirror Music by Wordsworth.
Always like Wordsworth, but I still think Blu is a lot more talented (lyrics and production wise)
You have to be European.
nothing personal here fam but it’s a stoooopid debate to even start….both are 2 of my favourite artists (with Supastition n Monch too) but comparing them is apples to oranges….this king of or top 10 sh*t is a waste of time man….it’s not like we have to only pick one artist or 10 to listen to exclusively so we should celebrate all artists of this levl and respect the true to the soul artform……I do agree 100 on Mirror Music being a dope album with substance and sequence for the record…anyone who ain’t cop it, don’t judge him based solely on the lyricist lounge venom…..
dope rapper with dope music Blu is underground platinum
Yeah, he needs to rerelease Below The Heavens, that album was great.
For real n a half on re-releasing the Below the Heavens album….it’s a damn shame that thousands of fans would cop it but can’t get it anywhere!
My man Blu throws it down
Very easy to listen to this album so relaxing
I don’t like it. There’s no engery on the album.
fuck the south and the radio
no.. wordsworth is not better than blu.. maybe in terms of freestyling and punchlines.. but blu is a complete artist.. every project he does showcases added dimensions of his talent and his soul… people always talkin about below the heavens.. yeah it was dope.. exile is dope.. but get over it already. sheesh.
You just disqualified yourself with that ignorant punchlines and freestyling comment. If you had listen to Wordsworth, you would know that the punchlines are kept to a minimum on his album, he did a lot of introspective, deep tracks for it and adds dope concepts.
Blu is a beast
blu knows herfavoritecolour
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sdlfiedf verydope dohgosdf
xdfhdg verydope
very dope album- buy it
BTH was great, but since then Blu dropped some real good work, too often overlooked though. Check C.R.A.C’s album with Ta’rach, check Jhonson & Jonson’s album (amazing if you ask me) with Mainframe. His music is always bringing something fresh and new. Really wish the FLU project (with Fly Lo) could be more than just rumors
good shit
yes
Decent album. I love the Jazz, Blues, and Golden Era elements, there are samples in the album from French and Brazilian classics that I never thought Blu was into.
But I have to admit, that musically, I think Below Heavens is more consistent. Some tracks in Her Favorite Color feel too much like a mix tape. Grab some sample he likes, sometimes the beat feels untouched and he just raps on top of it a la Ghostface. It just didn’t turn out as good I hope.
Also, it’s one of those albums that I find myself listening only in full chunks, like complete playthroughs.
Great Review
Found it on Spotify one day expecting nothing and was taken back by the albums feel. I think its a very good album
Brilliantly produced and very creative, it’s not often you find an album that effortlessly strings together film samples with with music and actually makes them work. This isn’t a collection of songs, its a creative piece in it’s entirety and is delightful to sit through from start to finish. One of Blu’s masterpieces!