Sean Price and unlikely guest Phonte (part of fat ‘n’ happy Southern backpack trio Little Brother) were behind two of the hottest semi-underground hip-hop albums of 2005, but have since laid pretty low, aside from Price’s contributions to the Boot Camp Clik revival of 2006. Following up the flawlessly madcap Monkey Barz this January, he has a lot to lose.
The first single arrives courtesy of Little Brother beatweaver 9th Wonder, who slaps down a disorientingly choppy, piano-descending beat. Phonte “”Rocks heart/ Like Benatar”” for the entire first half, though he stumbles a little on the awkward stop-starts – cue Price, who cuts in to curl his rumble around them like a pro. Add a breathy, helium- and ego-inflated hook, and we’re damn glad they’re back. (SW)
