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Best R&B record of the year 2 years and running

Scott Woods | Columbus, Ohio United States | 11/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jill Scott has done what very few artists in recent memory have done, even in the last 10 years: she has given us the best R&B record of the year 2 years in a row.This disc gives you WAY more than you're paying for. At 2 discs, one of which is live (with one of the tightest groove bands I've ever heard) and the other comprised of 9 new tracks (11 if you count the embedded hidden tracks on #9), you're getting a MASSIVE amount of Jill at the top of her form for very little cost. Considering you paid more for the last uneven Maxwell record, the had-to-grow-on-you Badu "Mama's Gun" and about a dozen or so other pointless exercises in R&B today, you're not only getting a bargain, you're practically set for the next 6 months.I know what you're thinking: "I'm really only paying for 9(11) new songs, so what am I actualy getting new?"
Oh, ye of little faith. Because she didn't hit as many cities as some artists this past year, you probably didn't get to hear her live. If you had, you'd realize how nuts a notion it is to believe that you're buying "Who Is Jill Scott?" twice. Jill revamps her debut album's tracks in such a way that there's practically a party in every track. These songs prance, slyly grin, wink and pounce all over you from all sides, and they don't skimp, either: of the 11 tracks on the live disc, 8 of them are over 6 minutes in length, with bridges, solos and silky grooves slipping in and out of the tracks throughout. It had to be one of the best shows to come down the pike in a long time, and she'll sell out from now until she retires 20 years from now if she keeps the quality of records at this level.The CD of new stuff is also pretty darn amazing, even if there are a few "huh?" moments there. The sister is a sassy chameleon of styles, out-Baduing Badu on "Gotta Get Up"(#2) and out-Graying Macy on "Sweet Justice"(#4), but almost to the point of sounding exactly like them, which isn't all bad, since her songs are stronger than almost all of the songs on Badu's "Mama's Gun" and both of Gray's albums put together with the national anthem thrown in. The songs flip from excellent smoothed out groove to sly hip-hoppy-ness to a pretty good live poem recitation. Her messages are clear, her voice strong and her production and unit tight as a new bongo head. Do the tracks dig in you like the first record? Not in the same way and not as deep upon first listen, but they stick with you and you'll be pulling your hair out trying to decide which disc to play for at least the next 4-6 months, no matter how much you play it. Sister Jill slips out of 2001 with the best R&B record of the year...maybe the best record of the year."

She's Done It Again

shadesnyc | brooklyn, ny United States | 11/21/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have had the privelege of seeing ms. scott perform b4 her debut album dropped, first time she came back to Philly to perform after the cd had won extreme critical acclaim (with Music Soulchild), and at Radio City Music Hall. Each of those performances were different. This album gives fans the opportunity to relive their repective concert experiences with jilly. Even those who have not had the privelege to see her live get a chance to feel the energy from the live performance. The bonus cd, which features 4 new tracks, a poem (performed in philly - the one I attended :-D), and two remixes (one of Gotta Get Up and a club version of He Loves Me). Pay attention to the poem (Thickness) people. I am so happy that they decided to put this on the CD. A definite eye opening poem. "Gotta Get Up" is going to remain in my cd player for me to wake up to everyday - the perfect morning inspirational song. Only reason I didn't give this five stars is the waiting for the last track on the second cd to begin, leading me to search for the song. Note to jilly and her production team: please stop adding these blank parts. It's just plain annoying."

Great Scott!

illmama | VA | 12/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the tradition of her debut Who Is Jill Scott, Jill has continued her journey of making love feel good again. She is definitely a preserver of pure R&B while innovating with the times, through the life and truth of her poetry and poetic song-writing. She exclaims on "Thickness" that she is a poet first and foremost. Like many poets, there is that balance between beauty and misunderstanding that intrigues us and disturbs us. What intrigues us about Jill is her endless passionate vocalizing, the solace of her songs, and the deep earth-like thunder of how she makes feel. What disturbs us about Jill is....well, better yet Jill is disturbing the current trend of bland pop confection splattered all over the radio, making all the cutesy manufactured R&B acts take notes about true musicianship. The feeling of any good live album is evoked here. That intimate feeling of being there, even when you're in your car or home, while Jill and the audience trade energy and excitement. Plus not to mention, be blessed with 9 new tracks from our soul mama savior, is just a journey beyond our wildest dreams. New tracks like "Thickness", "High Post Brotha" feauturing the genuine word-doctor Common, "Be Ready" and the ethereally magnificent "Sweet Justice" make you obsessively yearn for more, because Jill is a rare gem. Often compared to neo-soul contemporaries like Badu, India, and what have you, Jill has something that is her own, like the aforementioned. Jill has transcending soulful craftsmanship that is relevant to the lovers, the struggling 9 to 5er, the stressed-out college student, the sophisticated Wall Street types...everyone who has a heart that loves, pains, saddens, and elevates...Jill is representing the beauty in our laughter, love, and pain."