An underground favorite from the Bay Area, emcee/producer Kero One has been dropping relentlessly funky, jazz-inspired hip-hop since 2003. While well-known in his native Cali, he is, as the saying goes, "huge in Japan." He's released consistently strong albums (including Windmills of the Soul, Early Believers, and Kinetic World) via his own Plug Label, has toured extensively in the Far East, and has collaborated with the likes of Aloe Blacc, Talib Kweli, and Mark Farina. Funded by Kickstarter, Color Theory is his fourth full-length, and it finds him continuing his ultra-likeable, ever-positive steez. This time he's working with a slew of up-and-coming artists (Dumbfounded, Clara C, Myk, Suhn, etc.), as well as local OG Shing02. As always, the beats here are outstanding. And there's an eclectic and unpredictable blend of analog synths, breezy guitar ruffs, mellow horns, and thick bass lines, supporting deep storytelling and ear-tickling, pop-minded hooks. If you're sick of rap music that wallows in played-out themes of murder, money, and mayhem, Kero One is right up your alley. Check out "Return of Kinetic," "Love and Hate," "Count on That," and "The Last Train."