2 posts tagged “big la”

Artist: Common
Album: Finding Forever
Website: http://www.common-music.com/
Style: Hip-Hop // Soul
Rating: 4.25 / 5.0

Review: My relationship with Common's music has always been like a real relationship. When he dropped "Can I Borrow A Dollar" in '92, I didn't really notice it. But then, the remix to "Soul By The Pound" dropped and I was in love with the hot blend of samples and dope lyrical flow. From there, it just got better. 1994's "Resurrection" up'd the ante when the 'true b-boy love anthem' "I Use To Love H.E.R." entered the game. There was no doubt now. I was hopeless smittened. "One Day It'll All Make Sense" (1997) and "Like Water From Chocolate" (2000) kept things lovely. Common's CD releases were a given for me. I didn't need to hear it. I knew when I bought it, I'd love it.

And then we had our big fall out.

Now, don't hate me. I understand what my boy was tryin' to do with "Electric Circus" in 2002. He was trying to do something different. He was older, wiser and wanted to step outside the box... on some Gil Scott-Heron type stuff. And even though that album spawned "Come Close", quite possibly the greatest Common song of all time, this album crushed me. This was no where near what i wanted from Common. And so I walked away. I had to write off Common with the host of other artists changing their 'classic' sound to try something new.

So when 2005's "Be" dropped, I wasn't even checkin' for it. That is, until I heard "Corners"... and then "Love Is"... and "They Say"... I wanted to scream from the rooftops. "HE'S BACK!!! COMMON IS BACK!!" Not only back... but better. It was as if he'd finally found that medium between raw Hip-Hop and the emotion of a seasoned artist. Plus, Kanye's production didn't hurt anything, ya know?

Now we come to "Finding Forever". Let me tell you this... Common is back and here to stay! This one feels like an expansion on the vibe that restarted with "Be". Of course, it's because Kanye produces all but four of the songs on the CD (Will.I.Am, J Dilla, Devo Springfield and Karriem Riggins add flavor also).

My absolute favorite would have to be "Break My Heart". Kanye drops a simple sample loop, allowing Chicago's Finest to showcase his skills at storytellin'. His flow sounds so much like Kanye over a Kanye track, you expect the producer to lend a verse or two, but alas... Pretty much all the Kanye trax flow very nicely, allowing you to play this disc with little to on fast-forwarding. Other standouts are "Game" and "Forever Begins".

"Play Your Cards Right" (which was originally released as part of the soundtrack for 2006's "Smokin' Aces", which Common also co-starred in), fits right in with the Kanye feel. Karriem Riggins lets the sample do all the work, while Common does his thing and Bilal sing the hook. The late, great J Dilla's "Bye" (originally released as an instrumental on his 2006 "Donuts" CD), was remixed and repackaged with vocals by Common and D' Angelo into the incredible "So Far To Go". The cut was originally done for Dilla's "The Shining" CD. But Common drops new lyrics on the classic track, giving his fans more than just a rehash was previous material. I'm in love again!

If there's ANYTHING I need to say negatively about this album, it might the same thing that makes this album great. It doesn't stray too far away from the a classic formula. For those who are looking for some diversity, go check out "Electric Circus". For the rest of us, sit back and enjoy what could be one of the best releases of 2007. - The Big La

Standout Cuts
+ Break My Heart
+ The Game f/ DJ Premier
+ Forever Begins
+ Play Your Cards Right f/ Bilal