Gibbs lets loose on his eponymous titled fourth album. Freddie hits hard like a brick, from the production crew featuring Gibbs himself (as Freddie Kane), Kenny Beats, Adrian Lau and RichGains, among others, to the razor-sharp wordplay that heads have come to expect from the Indiana-born initiator of 'Gangster Revivalism' (peep "Thuggin" from 2012's collab with Madlib for a primer). Rowdy, limber, and wild at times, Gibbs is unapologetic in his delivery on tracks like "Death Row" and "Automatic", yet never veers off-course and at times dips into the silky soulful mode with tracks like "Triple Threat". On the album's finale "Diamonds 2" he samples the whispers of his three-year-old daughter Irie Jane Gibbs, opening himself up and allowing listeners a glimpse into the purpose of his craft. The album's a sublime work that demands back-to-back listens. And, c'mon, that "Miami Vice" lookin' suit on the cover (inspired by Teddy Pendergrass' album Teddy) is worth the cost of the album alone. 10 tracks in all , released by Gibbs' own label ESGN.

• black vinyl pressing
• includes printed insert
• original release year: 2018
• music label: ESGN 2023

reviewed by RBG 12/2018