I’ve been sitting on this review of Gift Of Gab’s solo effort Escape To Mars for a while, much to itm’s chagrin. I’ve been umming and ahing about what to write about this release for over a month. I’ve listened to it many times, and I’m still completely at a loss to explain how I feel.

On the one hand this is a great album. It’s well produced, and Gift of Gab is an amazingly gifted rapper, with a flow like no other MC and a passion for writing thought provoking lyrics. He’s been consistently brilliant both one record and in live performances. From the earliest tracks on Solesides to guest starring on rock albums, he’s always delivered incredibly well.

But to be honest, my problem with this is that’s to be expected, and I was looking for something beyond what I’ve come to expect. I’m not going to make any ridiculous claims like he’s lost his touch or phoned this in or reached his peak, because he hasn’t. I simply had high hopes for this outing, and it simply didn’t help me reach them. For someone new to Gab’s style, they’re going to love it, but for a fan of his for a long while, I suspect they may feel it’s treading too familiar ground.

There’s nothing here which challenged me to think differently of Gift of Gab. Even with Del and Brother Ali, two of my favourite hiphop MCs of all time, joining Gab on Dreamin’, there’s no big “wow” factor to any of the songs. They’re all cool jams, but nothing leaps out and grabs me like Alphabet Aerobics or Make You Feel That Way did.

And the reason I’ve been so reluctant to complete this review is because I don’t want anyone to read my opinion and not buy the album. There is a heap of praise from numerous places plastered on the cover and the press release, and I don’t disagree with any of it. It’s simply one of those albums you have to listen to in order to make up your own minds.