In Azealia Bank's journey towards hip hop stardom it's compelling to see her continue to work with dance music producers. After teaming up with Lone for "Liquorice," the follow up to her break out track "212," she turns to Machinedrum for her most recent material. He provides two tracks that work extremely well with Bank's clipped delivery and subtly reference the voguing scene of the late 80s and early 90s. With "1991" it's all funky house and filtered samples that supply the back drop for the relaxed flow that the Harlem MC is working on perfecting. Things get more focused on "Van Vogue" where the Timbaland inspired drums give Banks a nice workout. 1991 is a welcome snapshot of an MC's career that is just starting to take off.

• Music Label: Interscope Records 2012

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 06/2012