Choosey & Exile's Black Beans Scratches a Hard Itch To Reach [LP Review]

Rapper Choosey and producer Exile—known for works as half of Blu and Exile as well as with Aloe Blacc—link up for a project that glimmers with a sense of progressive ambition. Black Beans embodies Southern California sunshine and Afro-Latino pride. Headed by the single "Low Low", the rest of the LP follows suit with easy listening, thematic anthems packed with sharp imagery and insights to Choosey as a human being.

The production on behalf of Exile is down to the tee, each track bringing it's own Afro-soul funk to the point of sonic perfection. Every sample melts along and carries the weight of the instrumentals while the hits and kicks are kept to a minimum. Scratching, reverbs, and an overall fuzzy tince likened to soft wax of a vinyl filter the whole project for a euphoric ambience.

Even with all of the intricacies from Exile that makes the sound so pleasing, Choosey still speaks his peace without being too pushy or forward. His way with words comes off as organic, telling stories without directly telling the stories. Recurring themes of mixed heritage, pride, and social struggle remain present throughout. Depictions of lowriders, culdesacs in SoCal, and Mexican food string together ideas of community in the world he grew up in. Choosey's voice rides and ranges along Oldies samples while his rhymes execute his artistic vision. The chemistry the two practice is impressive to say the least. With plenty of replay value, Black Beans is a windows down, burnt sky, cookout soundtrack with a lot to explore.

Purchase Black Beans below or stream it elsewhere, genuinely worth a listen.