Great Album, Must Buy.
For me, personally, this album is exactly what R&B/Hip-Hop (and to use the term loosely) Rap should be. I'm not an expert by any means, but I'm quite fond of experimental sounds such as this and one of the things that I like the best about this album is that each song is different and unexpected. There is no cookie cutter formula here, and while it's nice to have familiar, each of these songs is so unique in their own right and they flow as a whole in a way that I've not heard from other albums before. Usually I find some song or intro just too jarring and wonder to myself, why the heck is that there, but not the case with anything from Aloe Blacc. They all flow perfectly together with few exceptions. Most of the tracks on this album are a true five star for me. Buskin, Shine Through and Patria Mia are the only three tracks that give me any kind of pause an I think that's just because they lack the true soul that everything else encompasses. My personal favorites. are Whole World, Bailar-Scene 1, Nascimento (Birth)-Scene 2, Want Me and I'm Beautiful. Caged Birdsong is quite poignant in it's own right and should go down and listed as one of the best social commentary tracks of our time. I find all elements, however random and unexpected, enjoyable on this album, the beats all fresh, the melodies lovely and the unexpectedness of it make it the best thing I've bought in months.
Albums like this, and ones by Angie Stone, Jamie Lidell, India.Arie, The Roots, Heather Headley, Remy Shand and my favorites. Leela James are all the people who should be garnering the real attention in this form of music and expression. I'm sick of the commercially contrived likes of Kanye West and 50 Cent and their supposed "war" over sales. Whatever, I say. Kanya can't seem to do anything w/o sampling from others, and who exactly is 50 Cent suppose to represent?
This album just flows so smoothy and blends rap, intimate vocals and spoken word with perfection. It's great for so many a mood or scenes, put it on at a party and watch people move and groove, or listen with intent and digest the gems that abound.Read full review
