Common Album: “Like Water for Chocolate [Clean]”

On Common's fourth record, 'Like Water For Chocolate' he shines thoroughly through the fabric of Soul, Jazz, and Funk-inspired Hip-Hop. The native Chicago lyricist shares his deep experiences and opinions, but at the same time personafies the meaning of Mic Skills on tracks like 'Heat' and 'Thelonious'.

The first two singles, 'The Sixth Sense' (a college radio single) and 'The Light' (the Grammy-nominated love song-turned radio hit) landed Common in the top rankings of spiritually inclined, mic skilled, Jazzy styled-and somewhat concious leauge of Hip-Hop MCs. While the album gives an inspiring tribute to the late African musician and revolutionairy Fela Kuti ('Time Travelin'), redenfined the definition of laidback smooth Hip-Hop ('Nag Champa') and attacks the utter mindlessness of current mainstream Hip-Hop ('Dooinit'), it still has its flaws.

Common's super-spiritual content often contradicts his every now-and-then sprinklings of homophobic, sexually charged, and occasionally politically INcorrect content on 'race' in America in the words of his lyrics. His 'One Day' found maturity hardly leaves room for a balance between mature, progressive music and fun-loving, laidback sounds within the same song. Not to mention the presense of Soul singer Bilal on way too many songs. Another fact is the Grammy nominee's stance on respect for women is sometimes overshadowed by male chauvinism and questionable themes. 'A Film Called (Pimp)' is a satrical ode to the hussle of "pimps N hoes". A duet with MC Lyte that may leave a bad taste in one's mouth after the first listen.

However, in essense, The Artist Formerly Known As Sense is merely channeling his different moods and attitudes towards life through various different tunes, showing he's as much human as anyone else (hence the name "Common"). Perhaps his less mature songs are merely meant to both stay connected with fans not on his level of spirituality and poeticism, and to serve purpose that there is a loose-skinned side of him which is not meant to be taken seriously (or at least not as much as his other material).

For all it's worth, Like Water For Chocolate is an excellent album. A witty, musical, and thoughful record full of compassion and unity with guest spots from everyone from contempoary Jazz trumpetor Roy Hargrove, to Jill Scott, Slum Village (who's lead member Jay Dee produced the majority of the album), DJ Premier, The Roots and Hip-Hop's beatboxing and soundeffect extradionare Rahzel. 'The Questions', 'Funky For You', 'Payback Is A Grandmother', and a couple others are rather lackluster, but after hearing all the Interludes and soulful vibes of songs such as 'Geto Heaven Part Two' (the original version), and 'A Song For Assata' (a tribute to black panther Assata Shakur who is in political assulyum in Cuba) it's all worth it.

In some ways, 'Like Water For Chocolate' could be the musical equalvilant to a typical day. Funky joyfilled moments ('Coldblooded') to times of receiving and benefiting from knowledge from elders ('Pops Rap III'), to a moment of response and reaction to situations ('Payback Is A Grandmother') which is trully a factor for determining what is or isn't true art--an imitation of life.

Commons 4th album "Like Water for Chocolate" is another nice album from one of hiphops most insightful and deep storytellers.

Full of Jazzy and soulful music, with commons distinct flow and lyrics. Guest appearances include Mos Def, The Roots, Slum Village, Bilal, Jill Scott, Mc Lyte,Roy Hargrave, Femi Kuti, D'Angelo, Cee-Lo, Lonnie Lynn. Production comes from ?uestlove, D'Angelo, James Poyser, Jay Dee, DJ Premier, Karim Riggins and the Roots. "Dooinit" is a powerfull track where Common talks about commericalized hiphop, unintentional or not this song was so contreversial it got Common banned NY Hot 97. "The Light" is a deep love song, alot of hiphop disrespects women today, Common really comes real when he talks about relationships and love, rap would be much more loved if more mcs followed his example. Mos Def and Commons "The Questions" is the nicest collab on the album, and both artists shine on this track. Favourite track on the album is the DJ Premier produced track "6th Sense" meaningful ill track, remincent of my all time favourite Common track "I Used to Love H.E.R.". Tracks that follow like "Thelonius" , "Payback is Grandmother", "Song for Assata" feat. Cee-Lo (A Cee-Lo I havnt seen before, very nice)to "Pops Rap III" continue the pace set nicely, and you dont want this album to end. You know an albums good when you can pop it in, and listen to it from start to finish without skipping anything, and thats the case with "Like Water For Chocolate". Production, Lyrics, Guest Appearances, Beats are all excellent, a real enjoyable listening experience. Recommend this album to anyone that loves hiphop at its best.

It's difficult for well-meaning liberals to embrace hip-hop music, because so much of it is insulting to both the intelligence and women. As much as I'd like to ignore the sentiments and just groove, I find it's often impossible to seperate the medium from the message. For those who find in hip-hop music the theoretical potential for mass postodernism, but grow tired of machismo and casual sexism, try Common's "Like Water For Chocolate." It's an intelligent, hilarious, deeply funky and uplifting record that will both free your mind and your behind.

Taking inspiration from 70's soul and James Brown, as opposed to George Clinton G-Funk, Common's grooves slide along with the faint crackle of vinyl - like the Beastie Boys and old Public Enemy, Common likes his samples authentic. Roy Hargrove and other jazz musicians drop in periodically to liven the party, and a jazzy atmosphere informs much of the album. Musically, "Like Water For Chocolate" is a treat.

But the lyrics are the main attraction. As a rapper, Common is unique, with a rhythmic flow and creative use of words, and his lyrics never insult, only uplift (except regarding other rappers - Common has little patience for the gangsta rappers who rule the industry). His songs are filled with positive images of African Americans, and calls for social reform and solidarity within the black community. But he's not afraid to laugh at himself, and while he may be a conservative rapper by Snoop Dogg standards, he's not uptight, either, as evidenced in his "Pimp" skit and his James Brown/gangsta send-up "Payback Is a Grandmother," in which the protaganist finds himself torn between loyalties after members of his crew mug his grandma on a casino boat.

The album ends with an inspiring monologue by Common's father, in which he speaks to the children of the world. Ordinarily, this type of conceit can become mawkish and contrived, but here it feels appropriate. After nearly 80 minutes of solid, intelligent music, it's a wonderful coda. If you like your hip-hop friendly but not boring, resourceful but not copycat, appealing yet certainly not mainstream, try Common. He's not perfect (why the unfortunate slam against homosexuals?), but after ten years of "ho's and tricks," I call this progress.

Common's "Like Water For Chocolate" was in my opinion his second best album he came out with. This was my first album I bought by him. When he came out with "The Light" somewhere in 2000, I really kept a close watch on him, because his rhymes really made my head nod. Listening to "Like Water For Chocolate" most of the production was very soulful, something that Common fans were starting to get used to hearing from him after the previous "One Day It'll All Make Sense" album.

Common's rhymes on this album are excellent. Listening to him on the song "Doonit", Common can really spit some flames. On the song "A Song For Assata", Common tells a short bio of a black panther named Assata Shakur, with a nice sounding beat that works perfectly.

Guest wise is awesome. This was the first time I gotten into Jay-Dee (R.I.P.) production which is on some of this album. Jay Dilla would also help Common with the chorus on the song "Heat". Roots' members Black Thought and Rahzel would do the chorus to "Coldblooded". Mos Def would come and spit some rhymes for the song "Questions". DJ Premier produces the best song on here "The 6th Sense" which is one of the best songs I've heard from Common. MC Lyte and Common would play the pimp & prostitute roles by swaping verses on the song "A Film Called Pimp". Bilal would song the chorus to two songs "Nag Champa" and "Funky For You". The latter song would also have Jill Scott as well. Macy Gray (or D'Angelo...depending on when you bought this) would hook up for the third single "Geto Heaven". And Slum Village comes in for the song "Thelonious". Some of the guests were not on point (i.e. Slum Village), but they make a great addition to the album. Oh, I can't forget his pops Lonnie Lynn on the song "Pap's Rap III". I actually enjoy those tracks, if you ask me.

As I said before Common dropped a dope album in 2000. People say this is the best album he's made. I agree so, in his mature state, but it would be hard to top the classic "Ressurection" which dropped back in 1994. Although if you want to hear some soulful hip hop, as well as being a fan of Common music, this is one album you cannot pass up. Soulful production, and some nice rhymes, it's hard to go wrong with this one.

Lyrics: A+

Production: A

Guest Appearances: B+

Musical Vibes: A

Overall: A

Favorite Tracks: Time Travelin (Both the original and reprise), Coldblooded, Doonit, The Light, Funky For You, The Questions, The 6th Sense, A Film Called Pimp, Nag Champa, Thelonious, Geto Heaven, A Song For Assata

Honorable Mention Track: Pop's Rap III

Favorite Common Albums From Best To Worst:

1. Ressurection

2. Like Water For Chocolate

3. Be

4. One Day It'll All Make Sense

5. Can I Borrow A Dollar

6. Electric Circus

Peace Everyone!!

this is the album hip-hop fans have been waiting for for years. everyone got tired of the latest releases in rap. cashmoney, dmx, jay-z and others rule the rap scene with albums that don't make sense. listen to their stuff, their albums are just like a collection of tracks that sound the same and could be in everyone's album. there's no theme in their album, they just work for a couple of months to put together several uncomplete tracks in a cd and release it on the market

That's what hip-hop is today, for those people who watch mtv. then i heard common was going to drop this album, and it is better than i could ever expect. the production will make your ears cry, (unlike that dmx and swizz beats and 1999-2000 rap in general that sounds like brazilian samba, im not putting down brazilian samba but if i want to listen to it at least i get to see those half naked brazilian girls). it's some of the best work the producers (including questlove) have done in their careers. listen to the album and you'll see that it took work and dedication to make

common himself has always been talented and he's more able and descriptive than before in telling his street level stories. his rhymes make sense. he has an attitude toward the album. he has a mood. not like cashmoney and the lox that rhyme for the hell of it. he accomplishes a hard task that's transforming your thoughts into words. he rhymes with precision and his songs relate, so THIS IS AN ALBUM WITH A POINT, that's a rare thing to find these days

the album deserves five stars simply for being the best album to come out lately, no doubt, it makes underground rap stronger by hitting many of its key ingredients

this is for real rap listeners, if you watch mtv youre not gonna like it.