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Editorial Review:
Subtitled 4th World War (when was the third, eh?), New Amerykah Part One is the first release in five years from the woman born Erica Wright. The wait was worthwhile though, as this smart, eclectic set, her fourth, adds to the grand tradition of socially conscious soul music. Literally so in the case of opener "Amerykahn Promise", spun by Badu straight over an obscure seventies funk track by Roy Ayers's protégés Ramp. "The Healer" is effectively a tribute to the power of hip hop to ground otherwise lost lives, while the deeply felt "Telephone" commemorates her friend, the late producer J Dilla (and was in fact written the day after his funeral). "The Healer" and "That Hump" deal with the damage caused by drug dependency and "Soldier" is a hard-hitting analysis of the state of Black America. None of which would count for much if the music didn't connect. Though Badu's quirks remain intact--the vocal/saxophone duet at the conclusion of the otherwise ice-cool "Me" (what else) is easily resisted--a terrific team of collaborators including idiosyncratic producers Madlib, 9th Wonder and the three man unit Sa-Ra keep New Amerykah Part One endlessly imaginative, tough, twisted beats sitting alongside softer jazz-funk grooves. The US public certainly assented, sending New Amerykah towards the top of the album charts. Only the eighties-style slow jam "Honey", charming in itself, seems at odds with the serious mood and is thus tagged on the end. The now eagerly anticipated Part Two is due later this year. --Steve Jelbert
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
(Hip-hop) love of Erykah's life In 200? Erykah surprised/shocked a few people with the release of `Love Of My Life' a duet with Common dedicated to hip-hop (she even raps on the video). This was a little bit unusual for the lady who had built a reputation as the neo-soul queen. Truthfully that track should not have been so surprising as the 1st single to her previous album sampled none other than Dr Dre (Xplosive from 2001). It was therefore not such a huge shock when I learned that the 1st single to her new album was produced by 9th... more info
Who wants to be part of the pack?? Not me, and not Erykha Badu! If you want an album of songs that are designed to be radio friendly, then go and buy Mary J Blige's lasy album (or any of them really?). EB ROCKS! Listen to her albums: Baduizm - totally chilled, laid back grooves, spine tinging stuff
Mama's Gun - Late night funk, sexy, tripping
Worldwide Underground - Get ready to go out with this, summer day, sexy
New Amerykah Part One - Pure hip-hop, sexy, difficult, loud, slightly dangerous, controversial I can't... more info
Very Very Disappointed Yes we don't want an artist to release the same thing time after time and yes I accept I might not 'get it' BUT....
This is so way off the beaten track she's got lost in the back of the beyond! For me this album has become an expensive tea coaster. I loved her for her lyrics and the beautiful tones of her voice, neither of which you can hear on this album. If this had been her first album she'd have sunk without trace!
Be warned don't buy this if you're not in to 'experimental' music. I wont be... more info
Dig a little deeper!! Erykah has never dissapointed yet. The more you listen to this the more you love it. There's more creativity, subtlty, soul and attitude than any other major album that I have heard in the last few years. You can tell that this is the album that she wanted to make rather than playing it for the sales. lovely, outstanding, energising, Erykah Badu!!!!!!!!
