"Rising Above" is the debut release from blu. Collective, exploring raw, funky beats in a soulful collaboration - imagine Dilla meeting D'Angelo in a live jam, rhodes and vocals layered over a tight bass and drum foundation. Where "Rising Above" is sparse, instrumental B-Side "Beers at Samir's" let's the four multi-instrumentalists stretch out in gradually evolving, thick textures, while still holding down the funk.