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Liberator 5.3
Aloe Blacc
Shine Through

Aloe Blacc glides softly under the radar, recalling our memory of creativity and depth in soul music. Born to Panamanian parents, Los Angeles, California native E. Nathaniel Dawkins (aka Aloe Blacc) began his recording career as an MC back in 1995--so I've heard. Apparently, back then he was joined up with hip-hop producer Exile who he helped form the indie rap group, Emanon. Aloe's self-produced solo effort, "Shine Through," is nothing short of brilliant. Displaying the wide spectrum of his musical roots, Aloe Blacc proves he's not only an incredible instrumentalist, but he can rap, croon and flip it 'en español' too. The voyage into Aloe's virtuosity begins with "Whole World," an infectious homage to his influences (notably, Miles Davis, Sam Cooke and Ella Fitzgerald). Chanting over a smooth falsetto, "Are you ready" is a dancehall bombshell with amazing energy. From there it just gets sick. After reminding us that music is everywhere on "Busking," an a cappella ode to waiting for the bus, Aloe switches global gears to "Bailar Scene I," slipping effortlessly in and out of fluid Spanish over Latin beats and trumpets--the perfect dance track. "Arrive," my personal favorite, seductively issues double-entendres with Marvin Gaye-esque candor, elementally inspired by J-Dilla (R.I.P). Whoever is smearing Aloe Blacc as the "indie R. Kelly" is perpetuating boundaries that this artist has clearly succeeded in busting through. "Shine Through" is cutting-edge and classic. Cop it--quick.
(E. Evans)