Blowout Comb

by Digable Planets

Overview

Media darlings after the commercial success of their debut, Digable Planets attempted to prove their artistic merit with this second album, and succeeded wildly. A worthy, underrated successor, Blowout Comb was just as catchy and memorable as their first, and also offered the perfect response to critics and hip-hop fans who complained they weren't "real" enough. Except for a dark, indecipherable single named "Dial 7 (Axioms of Creamy Spies)," Blowout Comb excelled at pushing great grooves over sunny-day party jams, even when the crew was providing deft social commentary -- as on "Black Ego" and "Dial 7 (Axioms of Creamy Spies)." The trio used their greater clout to invite instrumentalists instead of relying completely on samples, and the music took on more aspects of the live jam than before. Though Blowout Comb still borrowed a host of riffs from great jazz anthems (from Bob James to Bobbi Humphrey), Digable Planets used them well, as beds for their back-and-forth freestyling and solos from guests. The Digables remade Roy Ayers' "We Live in Brooklyn, Baby" into "Borough Check," and invited Guru from Gang Starr to salute Brooklyn's block-parties and barbershops. (The focus on the neighborhood even carried over to the liner notes, laid out like a community newspaper.) The closer, a brassy, seven-minute "For Corners," also captured that fleeting feeling of neighborhood peace. Though Blowout Comb lacked the commercial punch of Reachin', Digable Planets made great strides in the two areas they'd previously been criticized: beats and rhymes. The beats were incredible, some of the best ever heard on a rap record, a hip-hop version of the classic, off-kilter, New Orleans second-line funk. The productions, all crafted by the group themselves, were laid-back and clearly superior to much hip-hop of the time. The raps, though certainly not hardcore, were just as intelligent as on the debut, and flowed much better. While Reachin' came to sound like a moment in time for the jazz-rap crowd, Blowout Comb has remained a timeless classic. ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	12/16/2022
Label:	Modern Classics
UPC:	0826853190510

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Digable Planets   Primary Artist
Jeru the Damaja   Primary Artist,Vocals
Jazzy Joyce   Primary Artist
Guru   Primary Artist,Vocals
Myrtle Ave Nigs   Vocals (Background),Vocals
J. Truth   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Sara Webb   Vocals
Huey Cox   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Dust Daughters   Vocals
Gerald Brazel   Trumpet
Lavish   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Afu the True   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Dave the Prince   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Sulaiman   Scratching,Vocals (Background)
Beth Russo   Cello
Decky   Vocals
Lee Love   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Chegua   Rap,Vocals
Jahsun   Vocals
Tim "T-Bone" Williams   Trombone
Eye Cee   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Dave Darlington   Guitar,Keyboards,Fretless Bass,Guitar (Acoustic)
P.O.W.E.R.   Vocals
Crescents   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Shi Reltub   Vibraphone
Bill Lounge   Vibraphone
Seven Karat   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Eric Wyatt   Sax (Tenor)
Brooklyn   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Alan Goldsher   Bass
Mood Dude   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Dwayne Burno   Bass
Donald Harrison   Flute,Sax (Tenor)
Carl Carter   Bass
Trim   Vocals
Malik   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
David Lee Jones   Sax (Alto)
Davey Chalice   Bass,Vocals
Beneficent   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Stilletto   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Trim Ken Slim   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Yvette Sugar   Vocals,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Dennis Wheeler   Executive Producer
Carla Leighton   Design
Keith Elam   Composer
Bob James   Composer
Kendrick Jeru Davis   Composer
Dave Darlington   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Shuggie Otis   Composer
Ishmael Butler   Composer
Dexter Simmons   Assistant Engineer
Digable Planets   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Daniela Federici   Photography
Henry Marquez   Art Direction
Jack Hersca   Assistant Engineer
Maryann "Ladybug" Vieira   Composer
Bobby Robinson   Composer
Craig Irving   Composer
Larry Mizell   Composer
Jason Mizell   Composer
Gerard McMahon   Composer
Harry Whitaker   Composer
Mary Ann Vieira   Composer
Tom Coyne   Mastering
Brother Junior Plus   Liner Notes