In 2000, she blessed listeners with her platinum selling debut, “Who is Jill Scott?: Words & Sounds Volume 1.”
After a nearly three year hiatus, Jill Scott returns with her third album, “Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds Volume 2.”
On this album, Scott experiments with different genres of music and implements them into an earthy R&B sound. The new musical direction seems to be exactly what R&B music has been missing in the last few years.
Infusing jazz, blues and old-school R&B, Scott has created a style of her own that is nothing but genius.
Track by track, Scott satisfies the audience’s musical cravings, but still leaves them listening for more.
The album opens with a simple vocal warm up and prepares the listeners for what is to come on her climactic musical journey.
The first single, “Golden,” is a lush and straightforward song expressing self-worth and self-love.
“I’m taking my freedom putting it in my stroll/ Grooving all day long.”
With inspirational lyrics, the song proves to be a strong testament to life and at the same time, makes you want to put on your dancing shoes and get your groove on.
An album stand out is “Spring Summer Feeling,” which is not like your typical ‘I need a man for material things’ type of song. In fact, the song is the total opposite by talking about how material things are not the way to her heart.
“It takes more than money to groove me/ It takes more than cars to get me where I need to go.”
The slow instrumental groove makes you want to sit back and kick your feet up.
The highlight of the album is “Rasool,” which is the most lyrically-structured song.
“Rasool” tells a story of a young man she grew up with, who made the wrong choices and ended up dying due to his wrongful ways. Using a Barry White sample on the track, the harsh bass lines aid in the direct effect of the song.
“Think about what you do and who you call your crew/ The very choices you make/ May make a Rasool out of you.”
Overall, Jill Scott’s latest album delivers classic music that makes it a masterpiece.
Through lyrics and sounds, Scott uses this album to clearly express why she is “beautifully human.”
Grade A+
contact nyerere davidson at nyejournal@hotmail.com.