Thursday, April 17, 2008
Erykah Badu New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)
This is a truly great soul album. In recent years it would rank with efforts by Jill Scott, D'Angelo, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, and Lauryn Hill's first Album. But in actuality, it deserves a place on the best of Marvin Gaye in the seventies and There's A Riot Going On by Sly and the Family Stone. There is greatness here.
This Erykah Badu's third album, ten-eleven years after making the scene, a long and even self-publicized writer's block and an EP. And now we get this album, a first taste of what she has for us now. There are two more albums ready with part 2 coming in July.
Honey is the single and it is worth seeing the video. I can't embed it but here is a link on her official Amerykah website. Honey, the video is a full on production using self-reference and very cool digital effects making a shelf of great and historic funk and soul album covers from the age of vinyl come to life as well as a tribute to Indy record stores.
It is going to take many more listens to New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) to visualize let alone get a grip of the handlebars for this ride, just as it did with Marvin Gaye's I Want You, Sly's aforementioned There's a Riot... or one of the really good PFunk albums.
In fact, a hardass PFunk groove and a StarChild Long Haired Sucker narrator are featured on the opening groove Amerykahn Promise.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, before exiting the train, please leave your valuables--your diamonds, rubies and pearls in the cabinet adjacent to your left. Ummm. The pussycats and the jackals you can leave them with me." (sinister laugh)
We wouldn't steer you wrong."
The next workout The Healer/Hip Hop has a decidedly more ethereal quality and sing song chant. In the dreamy sonic soundscape Erykah on the danger zone of using a voice too much like a little girl affectation sings how Hip Hop is bigger than religion and the government.
"Told you we aint dead yet
we been livin' through your internet
you don't have to believe everything you think
we've been programmed wake up, we miss you."
So by now you get the idea that the grooves are indeed deep on this album. A horn chart with a jazz base as the backdrop for one tune, a smokey after hours cabaret evoked on another. So much range and loveliness. I look forward to savoring this album for the months until the next installation.
New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) is the work of an artist caught in a great stride. You get a sense that all of her 37 years including a decade's lifetime in the public eye are somehow reprsented. I say it is worth your time to take notice.
And furthermore, I am pumped: It looks as though I will be able to see Ms. Badu in concert next month. I'm sure there'll be Erykah night at the buffet after that one...in other words you'll be hearing more from me about this amazing woman's most recent art.
posted by well-executed buffet at 10:51 PM
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