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NEW AMERYKAH PART ONE (4TH WORLD WAR) is even more experimental and musically diverse than WORLDWIDE UNDERGROUND, with Badu and her collaborators keeping the loose, jam-oriented, soul-jazz style of the EP and adding cutting-edge hip-hop beats. Lyrically, the album is as politically themed and downbeat as the title and subtitle suggest, with songs nodding to the Nation of Islam, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, drug abuse and the failures of government, with only the affirmative "The Healer," "Telephone" (a touching tribute to the late producer J Dilla), and the sweet-natured first single, "Honey," providing respites from the darkness.
Erykah Badu's 1997 debut album BADUIZM presented a confident young R&B star in the manner of Toni Braxton or Mary J. Blige, and also connected her with underground hip-hop through her use of the Roots as her backing band on much of the record. Since then, Badu has kept to an erratic release schedule: NEW AMERYKAH PART ONE (4TH WORLD WAR) is only her third full-length release. (Badu refers to 2003's funk-oriented experiment WORLDWIDE UNDERGROUND as an EP, despite its nearly 50-minute length.) Similarly, her records have grown both more personal and more outward-focused.
Personnel: Erykah Badu (vocals).
Rolling Stone (p.59) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Badu kicks off the first disc by indulging her arty side: 4TH WORLD WAR is mostly dark, minor-key melodies, eerie chants and atmospheric electro beats..." Rolling Stone (p.91) - Ranked #19 in Rolling Stone's 50 Best Albums Of 2008 -- "AMERYKAH is a hip-hop update of Funkadelic's brain-melting sonic stews." Spin (p.51) - Ranked #12 in Spin's "40 Best Albums Of 2008" -- "Laptop R&B that uses hip-hop as its muse....Badu croons her own future in your ear." Entertainment Weekly (p.58) - "She is both earth mama and mystic, a Billie Holiday jazz-rasp queen with a tangy Southern drawl..." -- Grade: A- Uncut (p.87) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[S]he's far bolder, singing in a strange, little girl's voice over a solitary Chet Baker-style trumpet or chanting mantra-like over a bubbling African rhythm." The Wire (p.70) - "['Honey'] drips with the kind of sultry retro-funk that proves NEW AMERYKAH to have been well worth any amount of waiting." Vibe (p.75) - "[T]he album is challenging, fabulously out there....It's drenched in a '70s acid-rock aura/ afro-sheen vibe -- a spacious, heady brew of trippy guitars, keyboards, and steady beats." Q (Magazine) (p.141) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "NEW AMERYKAH blends classic soul with Sly Stone-freak funk and zonked-out hip hop." Mojo (Publisher) (p.106) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[H]er boldest and best yet, brilliantly eccentric but repaying every indulgence." Mojo (Publisher) (p.72) - Ranked #16 in Mojo's "The 50 Best Albums Of 2008" -- "[S]egueing through haunted hip hop, luscious soul and futurist funk..."
something a little different.... This effort from Erykah brings a cool 70's consciousness to her sound that will definately have you thinking about old 70's movies and sitcoms!! Of course they are brought to you by the fabulous stylings of Ms. Badu, so you know they are still tight. Her individualism and remarkable sound set her apart from the mainstream music and cookie-cutter artists out now. BE WARNED..... it may take a couple of listens before you really feel it for what it is. Submitted by fRed (Niagara Falls NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 13 of 24 found this helpful.
The Best Badu album yet!! This album is too deep for words. One minute you're nodding your head,and the next you're damn near ready to cry because of the powerful lyrics (Especially with "Telephone" her tribute to J Dilla)A must have for all Neo-Soul and revolutionaries!! Submitted by Dion Reynolds (Inkster,MI) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 11 of 21 found this helpful.
The United States of Amerykah! 3 words..."Mmmmph, Mmmmph, MMMMPH."
There are elements here of the typically grounding/healing, watery and spiritual Baduizms as well as a new, aggressive and more socially-conscienscious flava too. The packaging says it all though. There's an awful lot goin' on in that afro and amazingly, it's been laid to music and put out on CD. Keep in mind that this is not only music; it's poetry and in the Jill Scott vein, it's extremely potent and accessible. The message here is at times frightening, but real and the beats make it all worthwhile. The spoken part of "Master Teacher" is so scary, but so true. After all is said and done, the mood is lifted by the hidden bonus track and hit single, "Honey," which comes in with its emotional rescue. This is some serious, serious stuff here and can leave one feeling a tad disturbed, but no less awakened as is the result of all of Ms. Badu's other previous offerings. I salute the excellence of her artistry. Submitted by Starr S. (I'm a dude.) (Portland, ME, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 15 of 29 found this helpful.
Musical Genius Genius is defined as - an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work in science, art, music...
Erykah you have truly done it this time. Taking a step- no a leap to another level of consciousness. Dont sleep on this album- you will be enlightened. Thank you for all you do and give to the world. Submitted by bramej (ATL-GA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 10 of 20 found this helpful.
Unprecedented This album is such an important one for hip hop, R and B... music all together. Erykah took risks that an ordinary artist with her stature has not shown a nerve for. "Twinkle" hits me like a ton of bricks. The state of the world is clearly outlined at the end of this song. I rated this album very high again to its subject matter and the risks she and the producers took. The outcome is amazing and I hope this changes the monotonous sound of hip hop. Submitted by jfarr77 (29229) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 10 of 20 found this helpful.
something a little different....
The Best Badu album yet!!
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