Shabazz Palaces at Gorilla

Seattle-based Shabazz Palaces’ second album, Lese Majesty, is described by label Sub Pop as a ‘beatific war cry’ – unapologetic in its individualism and experimentation, their sound could most easily be summed up for the uninitiated as ‘leftfield hip hop’. This alone doesn’t do justice to how Palaceer Lazaro (formerly known as Butterfly of golden age hip hoppers Digable Planets) and Tendai ‘Baba’ Maraire continue to push hip hop’s envelope sonically and lyrically, flitting between tempos, styles and instrumentation whilst pushing positive vibes. They have fun doing it too, which is equally evident when they’re on the stage (as those who attended their previous Manchester show will attest). Climb aboard the good starship Shabazz for a night of future-tinged escapism.

Wed 5 Nov, Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5WW. Tel: 0161 407 0301, 7.30pm, £10, www.seetickets.com

Thanks to Groovement