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Liberator 6.3
Talib Kweli
Ear Drum
(Blacksmith / Warner)

Without blowing up too much of my own bias, let me say that I was unsure of what to expect with the new, negative feelings still dwelling over me since the release of Kweli's solo debut in 2002, Quality. I had caught feelings for Talib Kweli of Black Star, an emcee that was at one point my favorite, and since Quality I had been turned away and turned off by him almost totally. I got tired of the same story to a different tune, and vice versa. I really didn't want to have to be like that, but that's the way I can be. At the time though, I was a far-fetched, hardheaded backpacker. I still am, but thankfully much less amplified. And so upon listing to Ear Drum I found that my old familiar merriment had been resurrected. Since the days of Black Star, Brooklyn-born Kweli has been bread and butter -- producing commercially favorable, yet artistic, prolific Hip-Hop music. He leads in synchronizing education with entertainment, making it seem like an effortlessly hip forte. While it's his sixth album, Ear Drum is Kweli's first release off of his own Blacksmith Music label. With it Talib has put forth the album-nexus of his recent career and is truly exhibiting what he can do lyrically and stylistically. The production is on point, with old faces like Hi-Tek and Madlib backing Kweli after producing successful full-length albums. And yet new faces Will.I.Am, Just Blaze and Nick Speed contribute fresh variance. The unlikely collaborations -- "Country Cousins" with southerns stars UGK and "Soon The New Day" featuring Norah Jones and Madlib production -- were a pleasant surprised and hard to resist. Who knew Norah Jones and Talib could be integrated like that and still sound gully. Shit, who knew Talib could throw back and get crunk with Bun B? And how come I didn't know that there was pork in my toothpaste? The social commentary of "Hostile Gospel" is backed by a head snappin', horn-fueled Just Blaze track with choir harmonies and an elegant string section. Kweli shows his respect for tradition on "The Perfect Beat" featuring KRS-One. Kweli takes a shot at radio airplay and Will.I.Am supplies the track, along with some nice ass hand claps, on the upbeat tribute to the lovely ladies, "Hot Thing". He also takes a shot at it with Musiq on "Oh My Stars", a shout out to his daughter. Overall, Ear Drum earns my confidence. Play it for your most difficult, arbitrary, confidant friend and see if they too don't say something nice.
(Marina)