Talib Kweli's fifth album, Gutter Rainbows is an electic fourteen-track fusion of the Kwelis of old; back to the Reflection Eternal and Blackstar collaborations, through to Eardrum and Quality. Take various elements of his previous work, the usual intellectual narratives and pictures that Kweli so effortlessly succeeds to paint, a wealthy pouring of some musical magic and you get Gutter Rainbows.
The composition of the album allows the listener to fully appreciate each track. Celebratory, feel-good songs such as Friends and Family and Ain't Waiting weave inbetween the bleaker tracks like Tater Tot to create a complete musical experience. Kweli's somewhat chameleonic lyricism adapts wonderfully to each track; a transition that makes the album so easy to listen to. Appearances from singers Kendra Ross and Blaq Toven add a sophisticated soulfulness to the album, while the song Uh-Oh perfectly demonstrates why the Jean Grae and Talib Kweli duo works so well.
Since each track produced by someone different, there's no danger of a repetitious sound. Rather, the numerous producers contribute to the immense diversity of the album and mark their imprints on each track. 88-Keys, Ski Beatz and Khrysis among eleven others lay down quality sounds and beats with perfectly crafted instrumentals which allow the album to truly blossom into a modern masterpiece.
In short, this latest offering from Talib Kweli is one that every hip-hop fan should have in their collection. Reminiscent of 2007's Eardrum and a perfect follow-up to last year's Revolutions Per Minute. An album as kaleidoscopic as it's cover - utterly unskippable.
Stand-out tracks: Ain't Waiting ft. Outasight; How You Love Me f/ Blaq Toven; Gutter Rainbows
