Here we have the 9th full length solo LP from Brownsville, NY emcee, producer and firefighter Ka. A former member of Natural Elements some 3 decades ago, he finally went solo in 2008 Blacksmithing followed by Grief Genealogy & The Night's Gambit. Honor killed the Samurai in 2016 it became his most popular work as it did Descendants of Cain & Testimonial rewardbut the frontman of Dr. Yen Lo and Hermit & the Recluse comes from both Language Arts & Sad Studies to produce fully The thief next to Jesus by himself.
“Bread, Wine, Body, Blood” begins with the warning not to become the weapon they use to hurt you and that there is a pure struggle we all go through for a sample of the instrument, while “Beautiful” follows the soulful route, continuing organically the art of sampling hoping Everyone who listens lives a nice, long life. “Tested Testimony” laces a drumless loop and brags about having no money in the safe because he took the safer lane just before the bluesy “Borrowed Time” hoping for it just in time.
Moving forward, “Collection Plate” keeps the drums out, jumping over another soul flip, hinting that he'd have the title by now if someone really wanted to bless him, while “Broken Rose Window” brings the blues shine from earlier speaking again of economically disadvantaged position. “God Undefeated” samples gospel once again assuring that God is on the side of the victors leading into “Soul & Spirit” keeping it drumless suggesting fences be built rather than bridges needed.
“Lord Have Mercy” works in some nice keyboard passages to talk about the need for real freedoms, but then “Such Devotion” goes back to sampling gospel telling everyone they've never seen so much faith or devotion. Later he expresses the hope that every 'Cross Yoyr Bear' is gold accompanied by a bare organ, while 'Fragile Faith' speaks of the birth of the air preparing for ground war over backing vocals.
Near its conclusion The thief next to Jesusthe penultimate track “Hymn & I” comes straight out of the gate discussing hearing so many Christians use the “n” word as well as finding strength in the daily and learning of the heart from the more faithful before “True Holy Water ” perfectly caps off what could very well be the most religious set of works Ka has ever done with 1 more drumless track, letting everyone know he's here for everyone.
Literally every single album in Ka's discography has its own distinct concept, and having visited two years ago, he unsurprisingly continues that tradition throughout The thief next to Jesus to the point where I strongly believe it might stick Honor killed the Samurai as my favorite solo effort out of the 9 he's given us over the past 16 years. Largely building its drumless sound around samples of both gospel and a hint of blues, the production is some of the best of Ka's entire career as he uniquely poeticizes his foray into the themes of religion.
Rating: 9/10
