Ramble John's back, and on next year's The Third Hand, the man behind Stereogum's favorite album in '04 is kicking the samples to the curb and going the self-recorded, live instrumentation route. But that's notthe only switch for RJ; he's moved from Def Jux to XL, and he's making a pop record this time, setting the rap aside, and punctuating that premise with a little blue-eyed soul, a little folk, and a lot of up-front vox.
You probably got a taste of "You Never Had It So Good," the first track from the Hand, on RJ's MySpace (where you can also hear "Get Up"); now hear the man's voice riding a down-tempo, head-rocking beat on this, the next cut from the album.
RJD2 - "Beyond The Beyond" (MP3)
The Third Hand is out 3/6/07 on XL. Get psyched.
