Over the last year, as popular hip-hop continued to lust for Molly and EMD, a sub-narrative evolved around veteran artists who issued quality records without compromising their original styles. See Nas, Killer Mike, and El-P as examples of sophisticated thinkers who adapted according to their own compasses. Amid the synthetic beefs and chains, the lonely route of the soldier/idealist paid off for musicians and fans by way of adult themes and relevant sounds. With his latest (free, downloadable) EP, Rik Ducci provides a DJ equivalent for the purists.

Known in national hip hop circles for his taste and turntablism, Ducci offers up five songs for the head nod demographic who remember ‘99. The weedy nasal of emcees Jakie Skellz and J Dubble harkens to the Monsta Island Czars. Ducci is a Dilla disciple who refuses to regress, pushing forward with faith in jazz-based beats for reflective emcees. To remain positive is not naïve; a critical eye is not hate. Persistence is, as the track 2 reminds us, “No Excuses.”

As technologies and influences changed, loops of bass and piano did not expire—they are in hip-hop’s DNA and this EP speaks to the music’s fundamental beauty, that bold repeat of pristine samples and breathless word. Dramatic clips of moaned laments, scoops of the Sylvers, punchy black keys swinging beneath voices that duck bullets to tell stories—do you remember this chapter in hip hop? On “Pride 4 Lunch,” it continues to unfold.