Review for Tha Feedback by Londonis
After a public break from her record label, the untimely demise of a relationship, and a new baby, Jill Scott’s latest album, The Light of the Sun still comes shining through like only this soul sista can!
Honestly, when I heard the first official single released from the album, “Shame”, I was confused and fairly upset (naturally being an avid Jill fan). I thought to myself, “If this is Jill’s ‘new sound’, then I’m not looking forward to hearing the rest of it”. It seems when an artist feels musically stagnant and ventures in a new direction that it’s always a step away from what made you love them in the first place, and I was hoping this wouldn’t be the case with Jill. That being said, I crossed my fingers and kept the faith that the long awaited musical re-emergence of one of today’s most prolific talents would not be remodeled beyond recognition, tainted, or dulled down.
The follow up single off the album, “So In Love” is a classic 70′s soul inspired groove featuring Anthony Hamilton. Although it’s a toe tapper and definitely more of what we’re used to hearing from Jill, it still doesn’t completely satisfy. Further confused, curious, and determined to get to the bottom of the issue in regards to the direction of the album, I decided to preview the deluxe edition over a cup of coffee during my morning commute. To my great surprise, the intro track “Blessed” was literally an answer to my prayers — I found myself casually smiling in the NY subway as the deeply personal and upbeat lyrics filled my ears.
One by one as I went through the line up, each song laid waste to any concern I had about Jill’s triumphant return. With the ease of Sarah Vaughan, the skill of Ella Fitzgerald, and the grit of Nina Simone, Jill gives listeners a front row seat to her musical evolution. Her 5th studio release suggests a comfort and freedom rarely recorded and seldom experienced outside her live performances. Jill’s uncanny ability to deliver the pure, unadulterated truth over a tight beat is evident on tracks like “Quick” and “Le Boom Suite” — both of which seem to take you inside a studio session where on-the-spot freestyle flows effortlessly into polished material.
The first two singles are definitely misrepresentations of the organic creativity, depth, and substance of Jill Scott’s new album. “So Gone”, the slow cut featuring rapper Paul Wall is not only grown and sexy but intoxicating. In addition, Jill delivers the ballad “Hear My Call” in the honest and intimate way that has become her trademark. Surprisingly, the title song “In the Light of the Sun” is a bonus track. The live instrumentation and jazzy free flowing vocals sound more like a warm up than a title track but yet communicates and translates everything we’ve come to know and continue to love about the poet and vocalist known as Jill Scott. We should all be bathing “In the Light of the Sun”!
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June 23, 2011 KBJr.
I haven’t stopped listening to the album since buying it Tuesday morning. “Making You Wait” is my favorite, followed closely by “When I Wake Up” and “Le BOOM Vent Suite”…
June 30, 2011 soapbaby
I HATE those released tracks and the album cover so much, I had decided that I would not purchase this Jill Scott album. But after watching her immaculate performance on this year’s BET Awards, I thought that I may need to reconsider. Unfortunately, after listening, I am left sort of flat. I enjoy the latter half of the album but find the first half unlistenable. The album is her most inconsistent yet and feels confused. “Making You Wait” and “Until Then (I Imagine)” are stunners and pick up where The Real Thing album left off, possibly the best songs on the album. “Rolling Hills” does not disappoint and sounds like it could be off her first, classic album. I love Doug E. Fresh but “All Cried Out Redux” is tired and dated and does not belong on the album. “Womanifesto” is a trifling, piddling mess that passes itself off as woman-empowerment but is just lackluster. Lackluster may be the best word to describe this entire album, of course, there are moments of brilliance coupled with missteps.
June 30, 2011 Donovan
I was truly afraid for this album but I have enjoyed it more and more upon each listen. I do agree the first half does really not do the album justice because from “Le BOOM Vent Suite” on… it’s classic Jill!
July 4, 2011 Liv
Yes Donovan, I agree. From track 5 on could of been the final cut (with the “Blessed” track added) The beginning songs just do not flow. I honestly go straight to Le Boom Vent Suite & let it ride out!