For some reason Shabazz Palaces haven’t been able to recreate the splash they made back in 2011 with their debut Black Up despite a phenomenal follow up and a pair of remarkable under-the-radar Quazarzes in 2017—not to mention producer Tendai Maraire’s series of phenomenal records with Chimurenga Renaissance.
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On the heels of a pair of singles in collaboration with clipping., the duo of Maraire and MC Ishmael Butler (who’s been busy touring with Digable Planets) are returning for their fifth record, out April 17 via Sub Pop, called The Don Diamond Dreams. The first taste of the album is a very cool and distinguishably Shabazz-y cut called “Fast Learner,” which features a verse from Purple Tape Nate, who was also featured on their last record, vs. the Jealous Machines. Stream the track below.
A 2020 tour will be announced leading up the record’s release, but for now you can pre-order the record here. Doing so via the Sub Pop Megamart will secure you a copy of The Mushroom, a zine “from the elusive author TTT” that was inspired by the record.
