SAMPLE SUNDAY----LIFE IS GOOD EDITION

Life Is Good is a dope, mature offering from Nasir Jones, known to the music world as Nas.  July 17th gave us the tenth studio album from one of the most acclaimed artists that the Hip Hop world has ever known.  If he would release sub-par music for the duration of his career, Nas would still be considered one of the best ever, bar none.  He didn't, however, release a sub-par album.  Life Is Good is indeed one of the best joints period for 2012 (at the present moment it is my choice as Hip Hop Album Of The Year).  I can elaborate on the plethora of quotables and jewels found throughout this collection, but I will save that for my forthcoming review that I will unveil shortly.  What I will discuss on this somewhat overcast, humid and damp Sunday is the twelfth track, "Stay".  This jazzy, Quiet Storm-format cut is the perfect song for the most mature and introspective album of an illustrious career.  The horns that are a part of this song brings an elegant flair to the lyrical content of Nas.   Take a listen below at one of my favorite joints on Life Is Good.

The L.A. Carnival (formerly The Les Smith Band) is the source for the bulk of "Stay".  "Seven Steps To Nowhere" is the credited joint from The L.A. Carnival offering Would Like To Pose A Question (Pacific Avenue imprint).  No I.D. is the production maven that provided the soundscape that would become "Stay".  As usual, No I.D. showcased a knack for finding a jazzy, atmospheric joint that would be the perfect companion for a top-tier emcee (see "D.O.A." by Jay-Z).  Take a ride on this adventure with The L.A. Carnival, circa 1971,  and see where No I.D. received his inspiration for "Stay".  

If you are unsure of any 2012 offerings, be it Hip Hop or any other genre, please cop Life Is Good.  Purists and novice listeners can get the next-level lyricism and introspection from an artist still showcasing razor-sharp skills twenty years deep into a career that is almost unparalleled in Hip Hop.  After you purchase the album, sample some other offerings from Lester Abrams, the heartbeat behind The L.A. Carnival, The Les Smith Soul Band and other funk/soul outfits during the bell-bottom era. 

SAMPLING IS ALIVE AND WELL!  RESPECT THE ART AND THE ARCHITECTS!