Manger on McNichols

Album Notes & Community Reviews

The result of a creative process spanning over a decade, 'Manger on McNichols' pairs Boldy James's stark, unflinching narratives of his Detroit upbringing with producer Sterling Toles's meticulously layered soundscapes. Toles transformed James's early vocal recordings, initially set to boom-bap tracks, into a dense fusion of experimental hip-hop and avant-garde jazz by arranging contributions from numerous live musicians over many years. The critically acclaimed album is recognized for its deeply personal lyricism, which explores traumatic memories and street life, set against a complex, and often beautiful, orchestral production.