The Urban Renewal Project Soars on “Love Glory Duty Death,” A Genre-Bending Big-Band Masterpiece
Los Angeles-based 16-piece collective The Urban Renewal Project returns with Love Glory Duty Death, a thrilling 12-track journey through sound, emotion, and storytelling. Known for blending the power of big-band jazz with the grit of hip hop and the heart of soul, the ensemble once again proves why they’ve captivated audiences from SXSW to the Java Jazz Festival. With standout collaborations from artists like Oh No (Madlib’s brother and creative partner) and Tia P. (Rhythm & Flow, Netflix), this album is an explosive testament to the band’s creativity and out of this world sound.
The album opens with “Rush,” a fiery, cinematic introduction that sets the tone for the album ahead.“Shake Those Hips” keeps the energy soaring, a bleacher-stomping, horn-fueled celebration of hip hop’s golden era that demands listeners hit the dance floor. On “Money” featuring Oh No, rapid-fire rhymes ride atop jazzy instrumentation as he raps, “I’m packing more heat than the sand at the beach.” The track captures the tension and thrill of the endless chase for success, one of the album’s central themes.
With Love Glory Duty Death, The Urban Renewal Project redefines what modern big-band music can be. It’s cinematic and grand yet human and real. It’s a body of work that celebrates love, honors legacy, and reminds us all why music is integral to storytelling and culture.