Exile

While he’s not exactly new to the scene — having been a member of Emanon with Aloe Blacc for the best part of a decade — Exile’s profile has recently been on the rise. "Pearly Gates,” his contribution to Mobb Deep’s G-Unit-assisted brick Blood Money was one of the few highlights on that sorry affair and his appearances at the Beat Society events have been causing a stir. On this solo effort, the L.A. based beat-smith is a purveyor of rugged yet leftfield beats, which, not surprisingly, attract the contributions of Stones Throw alumni Oh No and DJ Romes. While "Time Has Come” featuring Slum Village where MC Elzhi is spellbinding and a sobering narrative from Aloe Blacc ("Spittin’ Image”) start things off soberly, it becomes evident that Exile’s playfulness and sense of humour lurks just below the surface. When this approach spills over to the MCs, it provides some of Dirty Science’s best moments. "Notch” featuring M.E.D. ends with some clever beat-juggling; Trek Life’s brief appearance is mesmerising and Kardinal Offishall’s "Smoke and Mirrors” pokes humorous fun at MCing falsehoods. As for Exile based on the versatility he displays here, he’s the real deal.