Went to a release party last night for Anderson .Paak‘s new album “Malibu.” My God. It’s EPIC. Three songs in and my whole body was covered with chills. It’s the same kind of feeling I had the very first time I heard D’Angelo‘s debut album “Brown Sugar.”

On “Malibu,” .Paak is deep and soulful in the most old school cut-straight-to-the-bone kind of way, while at the same time being very current, upbeat, spirited, hip, and funky. I loved every single lick of what I heard tonight. Then he and his band, The Free Nationals, performed and, lawdhammercy, he is INCREDIBLE live. The whole house was LIT. Straight 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. For real.

Long-time readers of this blog know that music is my first love. It inspires pretty much all areas of my life, including and especially my writing. I sell and tell no lies about what I think is greatness and the real deal. This is it, fa sho.

The much-anticipated album is already receiving high praise. Music lovers expecting greatness from .Paak in the wake of his stellar appearances on six cuts on Dr. Dre‘s spectacular surprise album “Compton” will not be disappointed.

“Malibu” is out this Friday, 1/15/16. Do yourself a favor and cop it.

What a way to start the year!!!