Al Japro

“Seasoned by …”

Out of the swamps of the industrious Lawrence hip-hop scene comes another interesting cross-pollination project featuring prolific beatmaker Miles Bonny (SoundsGood, Dino Jack Crispy, The Find) and rapper Approach. Conceived and recorded earlier this year, “Al Japro” will be given away as a bonus disc to Approach fans who buy the re-release of his album “Ultra Proteus,” which is being re-released by New York’s Coup d’Etat Entertainment.

The duo cooks up 10 well-conceived tracks showcasing Approach’s alter-ego “Al Japro.” Bonny’s playful production ranges from hard-hitting hip-hop (“Directory Assistance”) to jazzy lounge (“Al’s Show”) to laid-back funk (“Seasoned By”). Though Bonny stays true to hip-hop’s rhythmic sensibilities, he’s not afraid to pepper his beats with exotic Hawaiian music, flamenco guitar or gigantic symphonic swells.

Approach explores a darker, more personal side than he revealed on “Ultra Proteus,” which mostly featured party-rocking lyrical turns of phrase. On “Token” he sings about his racial identity: “Never the one to play the clown in the back/Never the one to play your vision of black.”

The album also features a guest spot from Definitive Jux recording artist Murs, who offers Approach advice on how to survive in the underground hip-hop scene: “Free Mp3s made me a gold mine/’Cause if they burn it and they like it then they coming to the show/And in turn they going to buy it and from there it’s gonna grow” (“Directory Assistance”).

One of the album’s most unexpected highlights, however, comes when the typically mic-shy Bonny steps up to sing the chorus of “Patience Brings Pleasure.” Holy Pharrell, Batman! … Bonny can sing!

Through most of Approach’s efforts will be focused on the national and worldwide re-release of “Ultra Proteus,” “Al Japro” is an equally engaging listen and should be every bit as well-received by hardcore hip-hop fans.

The KLT

Butch

Ambition can be a blessing or a curse, and in Kenny Carter’s case it’s a little bit of both.

The Kansas City-based songwriter, who also plays guitar and sings for Trump Dawgs, spent four years making “Butch,” an 18-song concept album that tells the story of an orphaned science fiction dude as he “rises from nothingness to find his potential in life.”

Carter ropes in a wide variety of influences — rock, pop, hip-hop and funk — paying equal tribute to Prince, Stevie Wonder, Outkast and Lenny Kravitz. The thickly layered songs are stacked with harmonies, drum machine beats, electric guitar and a melting pot of other sounds.

At times, like “The Wow Song” or “Got Myself A Superstar,” Carter hits on a feel-good funk formula that clicks. Too many songs, however, drag or wander aimlessly, making it difficult to get though all 67 minutes. The few that do employ live drums make the drum machine-centered songs sound cheap and disposable. The guitar work is also hit-or-miss, ranging from tightly executed Marshall-stack-sized riffs to cheap, clanky, clean sounds that clash with otherwise well-composed songs.

Carter surely has lots of great ideas, but he needs to be a little more considerate of the listener and less self-indulgent. Playing up the hooks and ditching the filler would make this album a hundred times more enjoyable. Still, Carter should be commended for following through with his unique vision, and that alone makes the album worth a listen.