Karriem Riggins - ‘Together’ + Caribou Lou
Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces 151 proof rum, 1 ounce Malibu coconut rum, 5 ounces pineapple juice.
Mixing Instructions: Pour ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
Notes: Sometimes you can tell an album will be worthwhile before you ever pick it up — whether it’s due to the artist’s reputation from past works, the praise and admiration of fellow musicians or simply a crate-digging spidey sense. In the case of Stones Throw jazz drummer, producer and beat-making aficionado Karriem Riggins, it was both the intensely cool, Blue Note-inspired album art and the fact that Riggins has worked with the likes of J Dilla, The Roots, Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli that caused me to pause and take notice of his recent double album. Oh yeah, and did I mention he tours with Diana Krall. Oh yeah, and did I mention he recently collaborated with Paul McCartney. The 34-track hip hop instrumental album was released as two separate LP’s, ‘Alone’ and ‘Together’. You’d do well to pick up both as the series of short samples is best consumed as an organic whole with a easy going cocktail in tow.