War Club
Shub, 2020
8/10
An esteemed Canadian producer and former member of A Tribe Called Red, Dj Shub is in some grand company here as many Canadian luminaries accompany him across these powerful and very artistic hip-hop anthems.
After the electronica and often ominous quality of the dizzying “Intro”, the title track follows with Snotty Nose Rez Kids as tribal like drumming and buzzing synth enter the rapid fire hip-hop.
There’s 19 tracks here, and the handful of guests add much diversity, such as “Bullets”, which brings in Phoenix and Randy Bachman for a melodic and dance friendly moment, while “Shake Ya Bustle”, with Hellnback, is an adventurous and dynamic display of massive talent. “Back To The Land”, one of the album’s best, then displays Jewlz’s skills with a sci-fi like execution alongside fluid hip-hop.
Deeper still, “Pow Wow Dub” benefits greatly from Steve Salas as plenty of grooves enter the hazy climate, and “Old School Is For Lovers”, with Morningstar River, finds itself in ambient areas as a cinematic appeal meshes with indigenous chanting that’s as mesmerizing as it is memorable.
An album that Shub worked on for two years, you certainly can tell much work went into the effort as each track is meticulously composed and flawlessly executed. Proceeds from the record will go to Black Lives Matter and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, too, which is even more reason to pick up this insightful, enlightening and cultured debut.
Travels well with: A Tribe Called Red- A Tribe Called Red; Buffy Sainte-Marie- Power In The Blood