Blu & Exile

In 2007, while hip-hop had diverted into fantasy land, the debut from L.A. combo Blu and Exile strove to paint the minutiae of everyday lives. On the vibe-anchored "So(ul) Amazin'," Exile's rickety, lo-fi hip-hop recalls early Reflection Eternal or the masterworks of Common producer No I.D. Emcee Blu, meanwhile, has a knack for day-in-the-life vignettes that are emotionally transparent and project a quaint, b-boy charm. The contrast between Blu's spiritual ambitions and his dirty-curb, urban existence is a well-worn formula that works here.