Residing comfortably in the framework of the classic hip-hop era, production powerhouse Gensu Dean successfully conjures some of our favorite moments from hip-hop’s golden-age on his latest release Lo-Fi Fingahz. Utilizing an EMU SP 1200, the crate-digging Texas native couples well-chopped samples with a perfectly cast roster of featured emcees to create a seamless sonic milieu favorably endorsed by DJ Premier, among other other hip-hop production royals. Gensu’s title as The Grand Imperial is well deserved.

Gensu shines on “Yen”--a drum-heavy banger laced with the sharp comedic punchlines of Roc Marciano. Other standout tracks include “Extra Extra”--an awesome piece featuring The Planets with an MC Lyte sample on the chorus, and “Alice in Wonderland”--a somber tale about a sexually and emotionally abused young woman, narrated by David Banner. Also noteworthy is “Forever”--a sampled-soul tracked featuring Large Professor--and “It’s Just Him,” a soulful joint featuring Head Crack delivering rhymes in an 80s LL Cool J esque intonation. Littered with cross-genre sampling, notable guest appearances and pungent indie-hop sensibilities, Lo-Fi Fingahz proves to be a refreshing alternative to auto-tune inundated ears.

- Jacqueline Whatley