TALIB KWELI--QUALITY
Okay. How do I start this off? Honestly I guess. To tell the truth I wasn't expecting much from this album, at all. Why? I don't know. Anyone who knows me understands that Kweli is one of my favorite emcees. I loved the Reflection Eternal album, and I enjoy most of his cameos. So why did I have such low expectations for this album? I suppose it's because I'm used to being dicked. I like an artist and then they drop garbage in favor of a wider audience. His first single was "Waiting for the DJ." Plus, there was to be no Hi-Tek. What was I supposed to think? So I mosey on over to the Crow's Nest to buy this suspiciously discounted item expecting nothing more than a so-so effort from a premium artist. All I have to say is goddamn. It's good, it's really good. Not just good, great.
Upon first listen, I thought that I just was forcing myself to see greatness that wasn't there. I listened to it again, with a forced air of detachment, just in case and it's still good. I love it, it's going on my Best of 2002 List. Let me say this. I do not wish for Kweli and Hi-Tek to remain at odds. Squash the beef, make the music. However, I can honestly say that I miss him on this album. Sure, it would've been great to get a Reflection Eternal track, but Kanye West, Ayatollah, and Megahertz did the damn thang!!! For real. Talib may have known what he was doing with this solo joint.
The album starts out with a little humor care of Dave Chapelle (I love this man) over a nicely produced Eric Krasno (from Soullive) track. Okay. Then "Rush," a high-energy track with a rock feel. It's cool, I like it. It starts the album off with energy, good strategy. "Get By," a signature non-preachy, but message-laden Kweli joint is sooooooo live! *gushing with happiness* You have a choir-sung (no Mississippi Mass here, but just enough) chorus that does not seem out of place at all. The lyrics, the chorus, the track all blend beautifully, this is one of my favorites. "Shock Body" is another high-energy joint continuing the dopeness and gives way to "Gun Music" which Kweli points out fans seem to have a problem with because the word "gun" is in the title. Just listen to it, it's a good track, hell I like it. No, he's not flipping the script image wise. Oh yeah another plus, liner notes. You get artist commentary for each track. If you're a liner note junkie like myself, you'll appreciate.
Black Star fans do get a reunion on the track "Joy," but Mos only stops through for an appearance on the hook, which I don't find troublesome at all. They'll do more tracks together, this song is meant for Kweli to express his "joy" of being a father, let the man do his solo thing. "Talk to You" has me going back to Bilal's debut just to re-introduce myself to his voice. Homeboy blazes this Eddie Kendricks revamp vocally. I like the track, but I do find some issue with Kweli's timing of his verses. Not a problem cuz the next track, "Guerrilla Monsoon Rap" featuring Black Thought and Pharoahe Monch is the best thing I've experienced for weeks. This shit is just great, damn great. They sound hungry, the beat is *pause* BANANAS and there's chemistry. What else do you want? More dopeness, fine. You get it on "The Proud," a balanced account of America's schizophrenic amnesia, terrorism, September 11th, Cops/Pigs/Bacon/5-0, the whole nine. This track is another one of my favorites. I keep it on rewind. After this the album does get a bit slow for me, but that's because I'm not particularly a fan of neither Jay-Dee's nor The Soulquarian's production. There is another Kanye West banger, "Good to You," and Kweli keeps it consistent with the lyrics.
On the production tip, I really must emphasize Kanye's contributions. He's building a name for himself and repping for Chi....hopefully. In all, Talib's got a winner here. Though I do love it, Train of Thought has been one-upped. If he was looking to gain a wider audience, done. If he was looking to secure his core audience, done. I hear that Best Buys and Circuit Citys across the country have been selling out. Good cuz he deserves success. He's expanded his sound without compromising his integrity and that's hard shit to do.