Don’t block the shine

The release of Big Boi’s solo joint “Sir Luscious Leftfoot Saves The Day”, mooted repeatedly in 2009 but apparently no closer to arrival here in early 2010, is threatening to become the biggest nonsense since the Brass Eye special (Chris Morris fans will get the reference). Whatever the case, it seems likely that we will have the whole album leaked to us bit by bit before the labels get their act together to release it officially.

And they wonder why the model of distribution threatens their very livelihood. But if it is internet leaks we must seek and the piecing together of this work like an aural jigsaw then so be it, because the by hook or crook we will hold in our hands this fabled and much anticipated offer. For there is little that Big Boi does that disappoints. We all know that with Outkast he is always impeccable, and that Speakerboxxx was the truly great half of their famed double pack. We also know that Sir Luscious, in whatever format we get it, is living up to the hype that surrounds it, not least the wonderful “Shine Blockas”, featuring the love-him-or-hate-him-but-can’t-deny-he’s-hot-right-now Gucci Mane on support.

Built around Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes’ slicker than a buttery crumpet soul-fest that is “I Miss You”, “Shine Blockas” is just southern fried funk of the highest calibre. Production is tight, verses are cockier than a rooster race, and the entire offering is just audaciously on point. And this from an album that has been ready to go for months now. If that doesn’t scream “ahead of the game” I don’t know what does.