In rap, Common’s “Be” is a true follow up to his classic “Like Water For Chocolate.” Kanye West produces the album and Common is so much better for it. Common’s lyricism is a welcome relief from the “bling culture” commonly heard on pop radio. Out of the bay, Zion-I has dropped True & Livin’ which features Talib Kweli, Jennifer Johns, Martin Luther, and others. Zion’s lyrics are well complemented by Amp Live’s grooves. Common and Zion-I are two examples of what hip hop radio should sound like: positive lyrics, telling of personal and societal struggle, and importantly, success from those struggles.
On the Jazz tip, Lizz Wright quietly released “Dreaming Wide Awake.” This surprised me as I went into Tower Records to get Terrance Blanchard’s “Flow” and was met with Ms. Wright’s CD displayed in the Jazz section. This is Lizz’s second album and is just as good as her first. “Trouble” as been getting the most play on my cd player. I wasn’t just mentioning Blanchard as an aside. The man is back. If you are a fan of Jazz anything Blanchard drops is a must listen. In fact, I had to listen to him in concert at the Blue Note in New York Friday. I can’t forget Kem’s “Album II.” I think it’s better than his first.
Speaking of Jazz, Me’shell N’degeocello has released “The Spirit Music Jamia: Dance of the Infidels.” She has gathered a jazz band together with the likes of Cassandra Wilson and Joshua Redman. It was released a few months ago in France and will be available June 21 stateside. I had to get the French import from Amazon myself. I can’t be unbiased when it comes to Me’shell but how can a combination of Cassandra Wilson, Joshua Redman, and N’degeocello go wrong?
There are some new comers I’ve picked up. Leela James‘ “A Change is Gonna Come” is stunning. Her voice is a throwback to 60’s soul that is way older than her twentysomething years. The girl can sang. There is also a Memphis boy out with an underground soul CD.
Coming soon are new albums by Goapele and Jaguar Wright. Jaguar’s CD should be interesting as it is entitled “Divorcing Neo To Marry Soul.”
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