The first installment of Karriem Riggins' Alone Together has hit the floor! The jazz drummer and hip-hop producer has worked with artists like Common, Slum Village, Talib Kweli and The Roots, and this collection of beats will show you why. The title Alone Together was taken from a jazz standard written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz that begins with the words, "Alone together, above the crowd." And Riggins firmly plants himself in that space, crafting beats that are uniquely his own. The tracks range from 14 seconds to a little over three minutes, and are the essence of man vs. machine. They stand at the intersection of jazz and hip hop; the jazz that Riggins has been playing professionally since the age of 19 and the beats he's been crafting on MPCs while on tour and at home. Like his longtime friend and fellow Detroit native, J Dilla, he's got beats for every day of the week and more. Recommended.

• includes MP3 download
• Music Label: Stones Throw 2012

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 08/2012