KNIFE KNIGHTS

1 Time Mirage SUB POP 6/10 Bewildering debut album from Shabazz palaces spin-off

Ishmael Butler of ’90s jazz-rap group Digable Planets embarked on a surprise second act when he re-emerged as Palaceer Lazaro, the cosmic beatnik at the helm of new Seattle hip-hop group Shabazz Palaces. Now he’s back with a new group – a duo with Seattle producer Erik Blood. But while Shabazz’s nonconformist approach feels both refreshing and enlightening, 1 Time Mirage is harder to crack, its fuggy electronics and lyrical non sequiturs not giving up their secrets easily. Still, a few moments stand out, such as dreamy slow jam “Light Up Ahead (Time Mirage)”, or the deranged power fantasies of “Mr President”.