Marcielago CD

Many years have passed since Roc Marciano served his apprenticeship under Pete Rock and Busta Rhymes, but he's yet to really break through as a mainstream hip-hop hero. It's a pity, because his solo albums are universally good and in some cases simply essential. "Marcielago", his first album for two years, is very, very good. Utilizing backing tracks that flit between a soft-focus take on the jazzy, laidback "golden era" sound of A Tribe Called Quest, bolder beats and more intricate, detailed and experimental soundscapes, the veteran NYC artist delivers raps in his distinctive flow that celebrate both the profound and the mundane. It's a great combination.