Black Milk-Tronic
Fatbeats Records
Rating: 4 out of 4
By:Preach Jacobs

Ever since the emergence of Motown records, Detroit has been one of the Mecca’s of black music. The genre of hip-hop is no different providing some of the most talented groups and producers in recent memory. Within the past three years, Black Milk has been one of the leaders of the Detroit hip-hop movement, and continues with his third solo release titled “Tronic.”

If there’s anyone that’s taken the baton and ran with it since Jay Dilla passed, then it has to be Black Milk as he channels the late producer from drum patterns, flow to cadence. Songs like “Losing Out” featuring Royce Da 5′9 is an incredible display of Milk as producer and rapper.

The song is impressive to say the least, and the instrumental outro leading to the next song is remarkable. With arrangements like these, it’s not a surprise that he’s been snatched up by Dr. Dre’s Aftermath camp to help produce projects in the near future. Songs like “Tronic Summer” and “The Matrix,” featuring excellent verses from Pharoahe Monch as well as Sean Price proving that great beats do bring the best out of artists.

“Tronic” could have easily been called “Return of the Boom-Bap” as the hard-hitting production made famous in the mid-nineties runs rampant through the entire duration of the album.
With the near year on the horizon, it could be safe to say that “Tronic” will be on the best-of-list when looking back at the albums released in 2008. You want my advice? Get this album and turn the volume up loud, but before that make sure you have a neck brace.