It’s a shame that I hadn’t heard of Prince Ali before I put in my bid to review his album. It’s mostly my fault, as I consider myself a true Hip-Hop head, but it’s kind of ridiculous that this MC from the Golden State has received little recognition, little press, and absolutely no radio play (no surprise there), as he has recorded one of the most creative Hip-Hop albums in recent memory. But by the tone of his effort, and the determination in his vocal cords, Prince Ali has a message to spread, and we have no choice but to listen.

There is a Hip-Hop renaissance of sorts taking place in California, with such artists as Madlib, Murs and Blu serving soul-fueled creativity to a people starving for real music. Heiro Imperium, the legendary Oakland, CA record label, took notice of Prince Ali’s vision, and from there Curb Side Service was born; a brilliant and eclectic piece of work that should serve as an artistic awakening to every MC who wants to record an album. Ali spits his complex couplets over Cali soaked melodies, wanting to prove his worth in a game that desperately needs his genius.

Curb Side Service is not your typical Rap album; it resonates as a labor of Prince Ali’s love for all kinds of music: R&B, Soul, Jazz and that sticky sweet California G-Funk. The album is a sweeping composition, with a host of talented producers and featured guest creating piercing soundscapes tailor made for Prince Ali’s intricate storytelling. The album is introduced to our ears with The Marquee; a collage of drums, samples and sounds that gives us a glimpse into Prince Ali’s thought process. He then takes us on The Path, a moody, dimmed concord that illustrates Ali, Rakaa Iriscience and Pacific Sonz choosing to take lead, as the weak follow. On the track Whom I’m being, Ali shows his penchant for distinctive wordplay; “penny for your thoughts that you can’t borrow/take that to the bank so ya ass can get paid.” California Ciff Notes is brilliant, with murky keys served over searing drums, as Ali and Pep Love warn us to wake up and pay attention to the lesson they are teaching, before we end up in summer school.

The crown gem of the album is The Majors, a classic anecdote featuring Casual, Planet Asia, and the refreshing Keith Murray. The Strong Island MC still has a knack for unorthodox phrases; I’m a MC/ I don’t even gotta touch ya/ to break down ya whole molecular structure.” It seems as if sometimes Prince Ali is in his own world, speaking his own language, and we sometimes get lost in translation, but the music alone is worth going along for the ride.

As a devoted Muslim, a NYU Masters graduate and a true MC, Prince Ali has found that he can relay stories without the aura of sex, crime, and drugs. Curb Side Service should stand the test of time in Hip-Hop history, and the more we listen, the more it will become clear; we are spectators listening to Prince Ali acquaint us with his California dreams.