Sometimes you just have to believe the hype. It feels like it's been ages since a truly fresh perspective has come out of the underground hip-hop scene.

Today's post "Variance" captures the mood perfectly but this is a record meant to be listened to from start to finish (oh, the horror!) with unexpectedly funky BPM changes ("It Was") and nods to Aether's many influences ("Makeshift Sanctuary" could be part II to Blockhead's "Sunday Seance.")

He DJs as Egg Foo Young here in the city, has done production work for Bonde Do Role and -- most importantly -- is one of the first artists I can think of who has included written explanations of his instrumental song titles in the CD.