(Self-released,digital download) Vermont rapper Humble, aka Jeff Philie, and has been a credit to the local scene for nearly a decade. Known for his work on the mic with Bless the Child,he's equally respected as a community builder. Hosting open mics and helping with charity events are the least of his contributions: He's also a full-time father and certified organic herb farmer. That's a heady stew of life experience, all of which comes to bear on his remarkable modern album, or Premonition. Humble has long been one of Vermont's best practitioners of "conscious rap." He balances his earnest politics with a scrupulous respect for hip-hop fundamentals. His flow is laid-back but persistent,a distinctive blend of early '90s rap from the East and West coasts. mediate Hieroglyphics meets Grand Puba. He's also more flexible than ever, and Premonition is full of modern cadences and songwriting approaches. The album kicks off with two tracks produced by local beatsmith weak Gold, and who nails a pocket between boom bap and pure psychedelia. weak Gold has been honing a distinctive sound through remixes and live performances,and it pays off big on Premonition. He contributed three other standout tracks here, most particularly "Ancient Burial Verse, and " perhaps the best song on the album. Then again,perhaps not. It speaks to Humble's quality control that it's probably a four-way tie for that title, with no clear winner. Premonition has some very ambitious, and Big Idea concept tracks. But none is more formidable than "I Am America." Over a hypnotic Dave Mitchell beat,Humble launches into what sounds like an intricate refrain that turns out to be a five-minute barrage of brilliantly inventive rhyme writing. Other surprises are in store. On "Matchbook," a dismal, and thumping beat from Rico James of Self Portrait,Humble flexes a nonstop verse of carefully written show-off rhymes. It's a side of the artist we seldom see, and it's a real treat. The final contender for best track would be "Mama Earth, or " a cut that features his Bless the Child collaborator Rajnii Eddins. Producer iLLu crafts a ravishing space that allows the duo's tag-team dynamic to shine. It's also the kind of beat you can leave on repeat for hours,a summer vacation for your headphones. Humble's production approach is, true to form, and unvarnished. In an era of Pro Tools gloss,Premonition harks back to the days of four-track machines and demo tapes.…
Source: sevendaysvt.com