TheMUSICMASTER’s blog

Throughout the ten year spans of her career, Erykah Badu (aka Erica Abi Wright aka Loretta Brown aka Annie aka Analog Girl in the Digital World aka Medulla Oblongata aka Cereb...I think you get the picture) has exerted her pure, genuine energy through her artistry, moving the minds, hearts, souls, and bodies of music listeners that clamor for her music everywhere. She has taken a journey creatively through the universe: from the cryptic yet earthy Nu Jazz of Baduizm and Live to the soulfully honest and diverse streets as she carries her Mama's Gun (WHICH IS STILL HER BEST!!) to the Jam session-esque vibe of the free and funky Worldwide Underground. As she traverses this universe, it is evident that Badu will perpetually evolve with every step she takes.

Released on Erykah's birthday (February 26, 2008….or what she would call “Savior’s Day”), New Amerykah Pt. 1: 4^th World War is apart of a 2 disc set with the second disc being released this summer. From the sound of the new album, one would think it was a secret radio transmission from the depths of space. The transmission introduces the listener to an alternate history and present of Amerykah, or it can be thought of as Badu's view on the history and present of the nation in which we dwell. Experimental in her approach, Erykah manages to craft an album from intricate hip-hop beats (courtesy of grand producers such as Madlib, 9th Wonder, Sa-Ra, etc.), hypnotic tones, soul and funk flourishes, and jazzy nuances with Apple's Garage Band (with help of her son, Seven). Frequent appearances are made by my man Bilal; also singer-songwriter/musician Georgia Anne Muldrow makes an appearance on "Master Teacher".

Like Baduizm, songs such as "The Healer" (which has a hypnotic and immensely dope beat), the robotic "Twinkle", and the undeniably funky "The Cell" could seem cryptic upon first listen if one does not know the whole essence of Badu. Overall, lyrically content is politically aware and "revolution" driven ("Amerykahn Promise", "My People", "Soldier", "Master Teacher"). As a whole, the album does take a little getting used to; however, the two tracks that stand out are the most personal, vivid, and truthful on the album, "Me" and "Telephone". "Me" is Badu's declaration of self love and acceptance. Closing track "Telephone" (oddly but understandably, Honey is THE 'bonus track') is an artistic and heartfelt collaboration with long time friends and collaborators Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson and James Poyser. This song is based on a conversation in which Erykah had with Maureen Yancey, the mother of the late and unbelievably great J. Dilla (aka James Dewitt Yancey) on how he had dreamed late rapper ODB had told him the route to take in the afterlife. The raw instrumentation, heart, and feeling of this song deems itself the BEST song on Amerykah.

Beautifully exotic and robotic while still abstractly organic, New Amerykah Pt. 1: 4^th World War is truly an interesting listen. The territory Badu explores on this album, though familiar, is fresh and novel. More than one listen may be required before one forms his final dogma of the musically work. It really leaves me wondering "Where will Badu go next?" Well if we long to know, I advise we not stray too far from her lest one gets lost. B

TAKE A NICE QUICK LISTEN TO: "Telephone" and "Me”