Disco de Common: “This Is Me Then: The Best of Common [PA]”

First of all, for starters, this is Common (Sense) when he was on Relativity Records, which showcases hits from his first three albums:

,

, and

before he switched labels. Most of these songs here were his hit singles back in the early-mid 90's (as far as I'm aware of). Songs like "Take It EZ" and "Heidi Hoe" showed the young female chasing B-Boy of him. With "I Used To Love H.E.R.", "Thisisme", Gaining One's Definition", and "All Night Long" showed the introspective side of him (something people are used to him hearing). The album closes off with "High Expectations" which appeared on the

Sountrack.

Like everyone who runs into these greatest hits albums, we have our own personal prefrence of what should be on the album. Tracks like "The ***** In Yoo" (fellow diss to Ice Cube), "Soul By The Pound (Remix)" and a few b-sides could have made their way on to this album. And I personally don't see why "Stolen Moments III" (which is part of a story) is on here, as it seems out of place. The overall album is worth owning. Especially for those people who don't listen to rap/hip hop except for Common and other related artists should check this out to see how much he has grown from 1992. Most heads already have all of his albums, and shouldn't have to worry about this. Peace!

Please Note track #3 is "Soul By The Pound"

Lyrics: A

Production: A

Guest Appearances: A

Musical Vibes: A-

Top 5 Tracks:

1. All Night Long (featuring Lauryn Hill) {personal favorite}

2. High Expectations

3. Take It EZ (featuring No ID)

4. I Used To Love H.E.R.

5. G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition) (featuring Cee-Lo)

This compliation shows just how talented Common really is and how he is able to make some of the best underground hip hop songs.

You can't go wrong with one of the best lyricists of all time. It takes me back to when he first started making noise in the early 90's. This album is probably going to have a second part to it, like the Roots did with their Greatest hits, to this point, album. I always felt Common should come out with something like this because he brought out some hits way before the mainstream actually caught up to him. This is definitely a must have for Hip-Hop fans. Unless you already have every one of the earlier CDs already... which would also be safe buys if you want more.

Rapper Common, formerly known as Common Sense, has evolved as an artist since his 1992 debut album "Can I Borrow A Dollar?" which featured his breakthrough song "Take It EZ." Common has released several critically acclaimed albums since his debut and he is considered a hip-hop pioneer. "This is Me Then-The Best of Common" is a greatest hits compilation which was released by Relativity.

The songs on the 15 track compilation go as far back as "Take It EZ." The greatest hits compilation features Common hits "I Used To Love H.E.R." and "Resurrection." The disc includes songs from Common's first album, "Can I Borrow A Dollar?", his follow up album "Resurrection," and his third album "One Day It Will All Make Sense."

The compilation doesn't include any tracks from the albums "Like Water For Chocolate," "Electric Circus," "Be" or "Finding Forever." Nor does the disc include any of Common's big soundtrack hits such as the song "Love of My Life," which features Common and Erykah Badu from the "Brown Sugar" soundtrack. Also missing are songs such as "The Light," "Come Close" featuring Mary J. Blige, or the songs "Be" and "Testify" from Common's 2005 CD "Be." Although "Love of My Life," is missing from the set, the song "All Night Long," featuring Erykah Badu is included.

Guest artists featured on "This Is Me Then: The Best of Common," include Lauryn Hill, Chantay Savage, Cee-Lo, and Q-Tip.

The CD includes bonus material. If you place the CD in your computer it will unlock 4 bonus music videos. The CD features the music videos for the songs "Take It EZ," "I Used To Love H.E.R.," Retrospective For Life (featuring Lauryn Hill), and "Invocation Hungry."