Anderson .Paak - Venice [2LP]

Before Malibu made him a star, Anderson .Paak took a stroll through Venice, his 2014 debut album, now spread across two LPs.

Released through Steel Wool, OBE and Empire, the record is the sound of a drummer, singer and rapper figuring out just how many lanes he could drive in at once. Soul, hip-hop, funk, electronic beats and West Coast sunshine all collide here, sketching the blueprint for the genre-hopping style that would soon win him a much bigger audience. Members of his band the Free Nationals play throughout, giving the songs a loose, live feel.

"Drugs" was the first taste, a hazy, hard-hitting Lo_Def production that showed off his raspy charm, while "Miss Right", which he produced himself, bounces with cheeky, lovestruck swagger. "Put You On" glides along a silky groove, and "Already" brings in SiR for a smooth, late-night duet. Beat-makers including Tokimonsta and Ta-Ku add their own textures along the way.

Listening now, you can hear the confidence, the grit and the joy that made .Paak one of the most magnetic performers of his generation.

For fans who came in through his later records, it is a rewarding look at where the magic started, and a smart addition to any modern soul collection.