Brooklyn's BSTRD BOOTS imprint returns with an impressive offering from Tall Black Guy. We first heard from TBG on the extremely funky First Word release on our digital site, but here the Detroit native brings a proper Fela rework on wax for BSTRD BOOTS. The TBG version "Water No Enemy" may share the same name as the Fela classic we all know and love, but he gets down right nasty with the chops and re-imagines the tune with dreamy synths, filtered horns and swingin' drums for a completely fresh, goosebump-inducing take. Flipside features the raw downtempo soul of "Lost And Gone," a track that sounds like somewhere between Stevie, D'Angelo, and a lost Slum Village instrumental. Very nice!

• music label: BSTRD Boots

reviewed by Von Bee 10/2011