Leave That Room Service Book Alone

Ghostface Killah with Redman & Shawn Wigs “Greedy Bitches” – Okay, More Fish is kinda spotty and Ghostface surrenders a bit too much time to his proteges, but they don’t all need to be classics! At this point in his career, the guy has clearly stopped chasing success and aside from a token nod to the mainstream here and there, he’s content to just pump out records and follow his muse. That’s totally cool and totally valid and if it means every once in a while we get something as consistently amazing as Supreme Clientele and Fishscale, how can you argue against it?

Hip hop is dead set on killing its idols, but both that culture and music at large has a lot to gain from following its best artists beyond their commercial prime and into largely uncharted territory as they age. Jay-Z, whose Kingdom Come is a disappointment but by no means a total failure as an album, seems to be angling to grow into rap’s Frank Sinatra, and I sincerely hope that he eventually settles into that role. Ghostface on the other hand is more of a Neil Young type — restless, eccentric, prolific and capable of expressing virtually anything within his self-defined limitations.

Oh, and hey, Ghostface was kind enough to reserve some space on More Fish‘s best track for the sadly unemployed Redman, who is as delightfully boorish as ever on his third of the song. Also, as you can probably imagine, the lyrics of this song are not safe for work, so be careful, alright? (Click here to buy it from Amp Camp.)

Elsewhere: J. Robbins (who you may know from his work with the Channels, Burning Airlines and Jawbox) and his wife Janet (also of the Channels) are seeking donations so that they can explore further treatment for their infant son who was recently diagnosed with Type 1 SMA. The disease is rather dire, and the cost will very likely wipe them out financially. As you probably know, indie musicians are very seldom rich or particularly well-insured, so any support would be gladly welcomed by the Robbins family. If you have any money to spare, please consider a donation.