Marvel's Luke Cage is back with another season, and the crime & corruption-fighting superhero has finally cleared his name. But another dark forces looms about: the "mysterious and powerful Bushmaster." It goes down once again in Uptown, and of course, the onscreen action is supported by a distinguished soundtrack from Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad. The duo continues to rely on the deep, soulful sonic heritage of Harlem, as cinematic strings, wailing guitar licks, and dusty drums lay down a strong musical foundation. It's a homage to the rich history of blaxploitation-era soundtracks, with artists like Joi, Rakim, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram and Gabrielle Dennis adding modern touches. Younge and Muhammad also introduce a dub-reggae motif for the aforementioned villain, a fitting stylistic choice for the character. If you're a fan of the hit Netflix series, this musical portion is essential. But even if you have never seen the show, tracks like "The Thrill Is Gone," "I Put a Spell On You," "Bushmaster Nightshade," and "King's Paradise" hold their own. Pressed on yellow vinyl, features illustrations by Sara Deck.

• double yellow colored vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• printed insert
• music label: Mondo 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 09/18