Top tracks — play these first
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Take U Back — This track opens the album with a nostalgic feel, featuring smooth samples that set the tone for the entire project. Its melodic structure highlights Evidence's ability to evoke emotion through production.
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Lost Cause — A standout piece with a haunting melody that complements its rhythmic complexity, showcasing Evidence's skill in blending different elements into a cohesive soundscape.
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Space Gorilla — This track features an adventurous beat that captures the essence of the album's experimental nature while maintaining accessibility, reflecting Evidence's versatility as a producer.
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Darker Clouds — With its brooding atmosphere and intricate layering, this track exemplifies the emotional depth present throughout the album, revealing Evidence’s prowess in crafting mood through sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases innovative sampling and solid production, making it a notable entry in the lo-fi hip-hop movement.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of dusty samples layered over classic hip-hop drum patterns, creating a cohesive sound throughout.
- Tracks often incorporate subtle variations in rhythm and texture, maintaining listener interest without overwhelming the core beat.
- Several tracks utilize extended instrumental passages, allowing for moments of introspection and space within the arrangement.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of impactful sound
- soulful samples for reflective moments
- gritty beats for urban vibes
- for late-night introspection
- ear-catching loops for focus
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, cohesive narratives
- seek polished mainstream production
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time The Purple Tape Instrumentals was released in 2008, Evidence had already established himself as a prominent figure in underground hip-hop, particularly as a member of Dilated Peoples. This album followed his solo debut, The Weatherman LP, and showcased his production skills, further solidifying his reputation as both a rapper and a producer.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Alchemist· Apollo Brown· Danny Brown
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Take U Back 2:25
- 2 Pest 2:13
- 3 Lost Cause 3:26
- 4 I’m Like 2:24
- 5 My Way 90291 3:28
- 6 Uh Oh 2:19
- 7 Shoot 1st 1:31
- 8 421 1:30
- 9 Breakout 1:29
- 10 Space Gorilla 2:41
- 11 On Top 1:39
- 12 Darker Clouds 1:37
- 13 Ev’ n’ Al 2:41
- 14 Bubbler 2:05
- 15 Stomp 3:26
- 16 RTD 3:42
- 17 Hour Glass 3:03
- 18 Memories 2:47
- 19 Stockholm 1:28
- 20 Wake Up 3:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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