Wyclef Jean Ecleftic: Two Sides To A Book CD

Personnel includes: Wyclef Jean (vocals); Andy Grassi (vocals, guitar); The Rock, Mary J. Blige, Youssou N' Dour, MB2, The Product G&B, Melky Sedek, Hope, James Bean, Warshini Soobiah, Hiro Tahara, Andy Grassi, Freddy Ricks, Beast, Small World, 718-Crew, Supreme C, Marie Antoinette, Kenny Rogers (vocals); Dadi Beaubrun (various instruments, guitar, bass); Earth Wind & Fire (various instruments); Robert Aaron (horns); Nija Battle, Joe DiMarco (background vocals).
Producers: Wyclef Jean, Jerry "Wonder" Duplessis, Salaam Remi, Sedeck.
Engineers include: Glen Marchese, Flip Osman, Gary "Mon" Noble.
"911" was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Wyclef Jean serves up another slice of his music and remixing creativity with The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book. Loaded with pop culture commentary and often directly naming social names, The Ecleftic is sure to stir up some emotions from not only the famous, but from the general public as well. The purest example is "Diallo," named after the man who was shot 41 times by patrolling night officers when he reached for his wallet, not a gun as the police had thought. With this, Wyclef shows his refugee camp roots, acting as a 21st century Bob Marley. As much as it is loaded with serious urban observations, Wyclef also serves up a good party and even some love songs. In the beginning, The Ecleftic is loaded with classic and catchy samples, such as the song about his undying love for a stripper paying her way through college entitled "Red Light District." Though older listeners will probably cringe at the thought of Kenny Rogers singing of turntables, this move is no surprise from a man who introduced the Bee Gees to the hip-hop generation with the sample of "Staying Alive" on his album The Carnival. On Ecleftic, Wyclef comes full-fisted with commentary on the police system, urban ills, and stereotypes. Though some are merited, after the first dozen they lose their impact and are swallowed by catchy beats. Overall, another commentary and playfully meticulous production by Wyclef, who has struggled to separate himself from the Fugees. It is clear, with a good retrospective listen, how much Wyclef's production style was a large part of the praised trio. With The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book, Wyclef takes another strong step toward solidifying his own identity. ~ Diana Potts
Wyclef Jean's sophomore album ECLEFTIC begins with a phone conversation between label executive Tommy Mottola and him. In the skit, Mottola is yelling for another Fugees album, which has been the sentiment of most Fugees fans--they've been waiting for the trio's follow-up to their multi-platinum album, THE SCORE. Wyclef answers with yet another individual, glowing musical contribution.
ECLEFTIC blends a variety of musical influences, mixing reggae, rock, and pop into 'Clef's own brand of hip-hop. He answers the Fugee questions with "Where Fugee At," and addresses political issues with the heartfelt "Diallo." He also stretches hip-hop boundaries by using both the wrestler The Rock on the chorus of "It Doesn't Matter," and country star Kenny Rogers in a skit. If ECLEFTIC doesn't move its listeners, no Fugee album will.Rolling Stone (1/4/01, p.113) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Top 50 Albums of 2000".
Rolling Stone (8/3/00, pp.51-2) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...The most pleasingly direct yet musically adventurous hip-hop LP you're likely to hear all year..."
CMJ (9/4/00, p.30) - "...An album that will break all format boundaries once and for all..."
Vibe (8/00, p.162) - "...'Diallo' provides for the most emotionally compelling vocal performance of [his] career..."
The Source (8/00, pp.223-4) - 4.5 mics out of 5 - "...A blueprint that'll give this art more depth....Clef shows off his guitar skills, travels to places rap music hasn't been seen since Bambaataa toured the world....one helluva creation....Clef pulls it off and the Fugee stamp lives on..."