Hi-Life Soundsystem's Debut Record Marks an Exciting Start for Members Only's 2011

Verses aren't the only guest spots; dramatic cover art courtesy of closet design genius Jeff Lawrence, aka dj100proof.

Though their self-titled debut record officially dropped yesterday, Hi-Life Soundsystem's release party at the weekly Capitol Club party Jet Set--aka the best Monday night in Seattle--was so wild it pushed this blog post back a day. The trio of Khingz and B-Flat on mikes and Crispy on beats play it both soulful and funky on their anticipated release, accented by top-notch recurring handclaps and nuanced flows, and there's a solid list of local guest spots from the likes of Helladope, Sol, The Physics' Thig Nat, Grynch, and State of the Artist

Debut single "Death of the Party" still hits as hard as it did back in October, and another highlight is Thig Nat collabo "Pimpin' Strong"--which, with the exception of the chopped Thig line "Walking down the block with a bop like my pimp is strong," is more about rapping tough and being swagger-rich than actually hustling. Some other go-to tracks you haven't heard yet: "Pimpin' Strong feat. Thig Nat," "Something Like feat. Sol and Jerm D" and "My Baby feat. Grynch." Preview those while the record assembles itself in your downloads folder.

The Hi-Life record follows MO releases including State of the Artist's debut SeattleCaliFragalisticExtraHellaDopeness--but also precedes what's sure to be an impressive slate of new music; new projects from SOTA, Helluvastate, and Viper Creek Club are all on the docket. It's been said before and it'll be said again: Members Only is a crew to keep an eye on.