Motion Man: Pablitos Way

Motion Man, like his mentor Kool Keith, is one of few emcees who excels by expanding his boundaries without throwing them out entirely. Though a technically perfect underground rapper at the core, he disregards traditional phrasing and never lets the obligation to rhyme stand in the way of a good lyrical image. Check the clumsy hooks of “Dat Ass” and “Exploit the Average Man”. Kutmasta Kurt’s chopped beats are at least five years out of date, and no more than half of the album’s twenty-one tracks are essential, but Motion Man is so refreshing that Pablito’s Way is worth a listen. Collaborations with Mistah F.A.B. (“I Crack Tall Ones”) and Oakland legend Too $hort (“Top Down”) both come out especially lovely.