Thursday, October 28, 2004

33 and a 1/3

33 and a 1/3 Posted by Hello

Reflection Eternal – Train of Thought
Talib Kweli and Hi Tek

Released 2000

Manslaughter Rating

Anyone who knows the work of Talib Kweli knows that he is a man with something to say and when he says it, you listen not just because he raps like Coltrane plays horn but also because what he says hits you right in the heart like an arrow. No matter if your not black and from Brooklyn, you don’t need to pretend to be able to relate to the struggle from a black man’s point of view to be able to love this rapper because he talks a universal language. Love, respect, standing up for yourself and what you believe in, living you life in a positive way, uniting and not fighting, giving thanks for those who gave so much to make today - these are the things that concern Talib Kweli and this is the album that he says it on.

With producer Hi Tek, the teamwork is pure and brilliant. The first ten tracks of this album absolutely shine with a radiance that represents the “train of thought” of someone who, like his predecessors in the black movement, has risen above anger and hatred and is intent on delivering a message of hope. The beats are therefore smooth and melodic but guaranteed to have you moving due to Hi Teks amazing sense of rhythm and ability to build a song like few other producers can.

Despite the last ten tracks lacking the intensity and feel of the first ten, this CD,
now, in this climate of fear, is more worthy of a listen than ever before. Hip hop like few other genre’s of music has the means to provide us with a direct link into the minds of great men like Talib Kweli.

SB

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thanks to you turning me onto bittorrent i am now able to DL whole albums. I insist that you get yourself a copy of the album Absolution by Muse. I cant stop listening to it. Im listening to it right now.....