Author: BADU,ERYKAH

Format: Remixes included

Release Date: 21-11-2000

Details: Amazon.ca Dallas native Erykah Badu was responsible for the project that pretty much defined out-there, Afro-spiritual R&B. Her debut album, Baduizm, paved the way for neo-soul talents like Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott, and was hailed deservedly as the "most innovative and exciting soul debut since D'Angelo's Brown Sugar". With Mama's Gun, Badu takes another giant step into the left-field with less delirious results. Aided by D'Angelo's backing band, the SoulAquarians (Jay Dee, Ahmir "Quest-Love" Thompson and James Poyser), the relationship angst of first track, "Penitentiary Philosophy" is accompanied by truly turgid hard rock. Thankfully, the rest of the album doesn't harbor ambitions to "rock-out" in an Alanis Morrissette style. The guests include Bilal (Common), Roy Ayers, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Betty Wright and Steven Marley but this is Badu's show. Sonically speaking, Mama's Gun's best tracks--"Cleva", the staccato funk of "Booty", the gorgeous, "AD2000", "Orange Moon" and epic closer "Green Eyes" (where she really does sound like Billie Holliday") --are once again a cool hybrid of jazz, blues, soul and hip-hop. Mama's Gun is definitely less immediate than its predecessor and perhaps requires repeated listening to appreciate. However it is hard to escape the feeling that this is Badu by numbers , a well-crafted, though ultimately dull facsimile that aims to capitalize on ground first broken by a focused and fascinating original. Betty Wright.

UPC: 601215325928

EAN: 0601215325928

Languages: English

Binding: Audio CD

Item Condition: UsedVeryGood