(Rhymesayers/Shogun)

Blueprint has been around the scene for a while, has worked with some big names (as both a producer and MC), but finally with 1988 he has created an album that is a must have for hip hop fans worldwide.

First garnering success for his work with RJD2, that saw the underground favourite EP Unlimited, Blueprint has worked hard on his production and has created some hot beats in recent times for names like Vast Aire, Aesop Rock and Illogic. 1988 is truly his time to shine however, named after what is considered by many as hip hop’s most important year, where the likes of Chuck D and Ice T found voice and gave hip hop a political footing.

In recent times I have reviewed albums from All Natural and Time Machine, both of these attempting to capture the old skool sounds, yet fell short, and as such have quickly fallen from my CD rotation. Blueprint has found the element they both lacked and created a release that is quality from start to end.

Beat wise is where the old skool 88’ vibe is most noticeable. Generally keeping the pace up, the drum patterns are simple and complimented by funk samples and wicked scratches from guest DJ Rare Groove. When the tempo is dropped slightly on the Nas sampling Boom Box the track doesn’t suffer at all, a clever cut it uses the classic Nas line “Don’t put me in your deck/If your shit eats tapes”, as Blueprint delves into the finer points of the tape decks that we all listened to in the late eighties.

Lyric wise Blueprint has really stepped his game up. Always an alright MC, his clever use of punchlines and storytelling is what lifts this album to the brilliant level. Mainly up tempo party cuts suitable for the year it honours there is still time for clowning chicks on Big Girls Need Love Too, where Blue goes from making fun of large chicks, “you looked like jabba the hut with two butts/one in the back and one in the front”, to clowning on skinny girls with the space of three minutes. 

Only two guest MCs appear over the 13 tracks. CJ the Cynic providing a witty verse to Kill Me First and Aesop Rock on the hot Lo-Fi Funk. I have a love hate relationship with Aesop tracks but here he delivers and possibly shades the work of Blueprint for the only time on the album.

1988 is almost a classic, let down by only Anything Is Possible. Remove this track and it’s poorly mastered vocal and this would go close to classic status. Picking up the old skool ethos where modern groups like People Under the Stairs left off, Blueprint has delivered a throwback to the good old days that demands your attention some 17 years on.