Below the Heavens is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Blu & Exile. It was released by Sound in Color on July 17, 2007. It serves as Blu's debut album, while Exile had previously released his solo album Dirty Science and two albums as a member of the duo Emanon.
| Below the Heavens | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 17, 2007 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 65:55 | |||
| Label | Sound in Color | |||
| Producer | Exile | |||
| Blu & Exile chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllHipHop | favorable[1] |
| HipHopDX | 4.0/5[2] |
| Pitchfork | 8.7/10[3] |
| RapReviews.com | 8/10[4] |
PopMatters placed it at number 56 on its list of the "Best Albums of 2007".[5] In 2015, it was listed by HipHopDX as one of the "30 Best Underground Hip Hop Albums Since 2000".[6]
Music
editBlu provides rap vocals on all of the album's songs, while Exile produces all of the songs and raps just on the bonus track "I Am..". In addition, the album features guest performers Ta'Raach, Aloe Blacc, and Miguel.[7]
Release
editBelow the Heavens has been reissued twice since going out of print in 2009. In 2011, the album was reissued on Vinyl Call Records.[8] On January 21, 2014, the album was reissued on Fat Beats Records on compact disc with three bonus tracks, limited edition cassette with one bonus track, and vinyl with a 7-inch vinyl with two unreleased instrumentals.[9][10]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "My World Is.." | 3:40 |
| 2. | "The Narrow Path" | 5:09 |
| 3. | "So(ul) Amazin' (Steel Blazin')" | 4:38 |
| 4. | "Juicen' Dranks" (featuring Ta'Raach) | 3:44 |
| 5. | "In Remembrance of Me" | 4:03 |
| 6. | "Blu Colla Workers" | 4:30 |
| 7. | "Dancing in the Rain" | 4:25 |
| 8. | "First Things First" (featuring Miguel Jontel) | 3:50 |
| 9. | "No Greater Love" | 4:14 |
| 10. | "Show Me the Good Life" (featuring Aloe Blacc and Joseph) | 5:23 |
| 11. | "Simply Amazin'" | 3:29 |
| 12. | "Cold Hearted" (featuring Miguel Jontel) | 3:12 |
| 13. | "The World Is (Below the Heavens..)" | 4:26 |
| 14. | "You Are Now in the Clouds With (The Koochie Monstas)" | 3:49 |
| 15. | "I Am.." | 7:26 |
Personnel
editReferences
edit- ^ Thomas, Adam (August 10, 2007). "Blu & Exile: Below The Heavens". AllHipHop. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
- ^ Joelz (September 13, 2007). "Blu & Exile - Below The Heavens". HipHopDX. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
- ^ Thompson, Paul A. (March 13, 2022). "Blu & Exile: Below the Heavens Album Review | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ^ Gailes, Arthur (August 14, 2007). "Blu & Exile :: Below the Heavens :: Sound in Color". RapReviews.com. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
- ^ "The Best Albums of 2007 (1/6)". PopMatters. December 20, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
- ^ "The 30 Best Underground Hip Hop Albums Since 2000". HipHopDX. August 26, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
- ^ "Blu & Exile - Below The Heavens (Ltd. Edition Cassette + Bonus Track)". studio album. fatbeats.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-05. Retrieved 2014-01-21.
- ^ "Blu & Exile - Below The Heavens". studio album. ughh.com. Retrieved 2014-01-21.
- ^ "Blu & Exile - Below The Heavens (2xLP + Bonus 7" w/2 Unreleased Instrumentals)". studio album. fatbeats.com. Retrieved 2014-01-21.
- ^ "Blu & Exile - Below The Heavens (CD + 3 Bonus Tracks)". studio album. fatbeats.com. Retrieved 2014-01-21.
External links
edit- Below the Heavens at Discogs (list of releases)