“The Element Of Surprise” album by emcee Rashad and producer Confidence gets a 2026 remaster. Though originally released in 2011, the melange of soul samples, classic breaks and favoring of lyrical storytelling / conceptual joints could easily have been released in the 90’s.

Next to the digital version, a 2xLP vinyl reissue of the album is now available as well. Including the 2019 single “Desires” as well as two never before heard tracks from the 2011 sessions entitled “Non Stop” and “Feel It.”

Rashad, a Brooklyn NY emcee who sports a nimble and rapid flow excels at making anthemic choruses interspersed with highly detailed bars. Examples of album topics include a vivid picture of the hood while making a cautionary tale of its pitfalls (“The City”), his personal emcee origin story (“Days Of My Youth”), and the results of low motivation (“Pass Me By”) among others.

Boston based producer Confidence has made a career of sample chopping and analog warm heaters. He also tends to favor the one emcee/one producer line-up of the golden years. This extends to his recent collaborative LP’s on Below System Records including “Library Of Sound” with M-Dot and “Kool Moe Dese” with Big Dese.