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[youtube id=”fLa7B085rJs”] Black Love & War is out now and G&D will perform live in Brooklyn on October 25th at the BRIC Jazzfest Marathon. 

                         A Soulful Missive for Black Survival

”The Battle” is part Isaac Hayes part disco and the blaxploitation chase scene overtones add urgency to Declaime’s narrative about terroristic violence from the police.

The duo’s critique of the world around them never lands in a rut of empty rhetoric because the pulsing music could just as easily be calling for a revolution on the dancefloor. Declaime’s bluesman street corner philosopher flow is flexible enough to offer sternness, humor and compassion. He is a protective father to his daughter on “So Pretti” but becomes a smart comic creating laughter inside the rebellion of “Slave Revolt Skit.” Muldrow’s hearty vocals feel like a directive leading Black people through a modern Underground Railroad to flee police killings, mass shootings and being arrested for Living While Black.

There can be no real revolution without love and the endorphin-producing “Smile” lights up with guest appearances from Aloe Blacc, Latoiya Williams and Ms. Dezy. Romantic love is one part of the intention but the radiance of “Smile” also celebrates self-love and morale-lifting affirmations. Declaime’s verses and Muldrow’s almighty vocals leave no room for interpretation especially when they are instructing Black folks on how to take a spiritual fighting stance in “The Battle.” But the sonic axis of funk can be subversive when they make the insurrection of “187” sound like an outtake from a Snoop Dogg record.

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