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album review
During the first several years of the 2000s, it wasn't unreasonable to want Mos Def, one of the most dazzling living MCs, to make a rap album. After he released 2006's True Magic, his first all-rap release in seven years -- following the back-to-back instant classics Black Star and Black on Both Sides -- it was easier to understand why he had been devoting much more time to acting and diversions like The New Danger. It was evident that he was not inspired, no doubt prompting a fair portion of his followers to think, "OK, maybe we should have been more specific: please make a good rap album." On The Ecstatic, it's not as if Mos Def makes a full return to the lucid/bug-eyed rhymes heard on decade-old cuts like "Hater Players" and "Hip Hop." Instead, he comes up with a mind-bending, low-key triumph, the kind of magnetic album that takes around a dozen spins to completely unpack. Oscillating between cerebral gibberish and seemingly nonchalant, off-the-cuff boasts, it's obvious that Mos Def is back to enjoying his trade. For those who are deeply into the Stones Throw label, the album won't take quite as long to process. Some of the productions from brothers Madlib and Oh No were pulled from their instrumental releases, including a pair from the India-themed installments of the Beat Konducta series. Altogether, they provide much of the album's dusty off-centeredness; even though "Supermagic" has Mos Def at his most energized and alert, its needling psychedelic guitars and sweeping Bollywood drama are transportive. Combined with backdrops from Georgia Anne Muldrow, Preservation, the Neptunes' Chad Hugo, and the Ed Banger label's Mr. Flash, the album is a gumbo that adds juicy dub thwacks, regal synthetic horns, tangled piano vamps, dashes of spiritual jazz, and rolling Afro-beat, almost all of which is cloaked in light reverb. Though there are highlights throughout, two of the most notable tracks are at the very end: "History," where Talib Kweli joins in over a wistful J Dilla beat, and "Casa Bey," where a playful Mos Def somehow keeps up with Banda Black Rio's deliriously frantic samba funk. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
more albums by this artist
See all-
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- Black On Both Sides (Parental Advisory)
- Released 1999
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- The New Danger (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2004
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- The New Danger (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2004
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- True Magic
- Released 2006
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listener reviews
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Epic, Talented Musician
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- By EL SL33PY
- 10/2/2009 05:01:35
- Twilite Speedball just BLEW my mind.
Mos hasnt disappointed me at all yet.
Ive listened to each of his albums and all have an elaborate different sound and a musical inspiration.
Mos is UNDERRATED. He deserves his props.
Prop= HE IS ONE OF THE BEST RAPPERS OF ALL TIME
You are a wonderful musician and actor.
Keep up the awesome work. - 7 out of 7 people
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He's back!
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- By KRo1
- 7/2/2009 02:42:27
- Finally, he's back!!!! Very good album. Mos is going back to straight rapping on dope beats like in first album. Auditorium is defintely the best song on the album.
- 1 out of 2 people
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All I have to say is...
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- By Jay3091
- 6/26/2009 19:06:35
- Dope from beginning to e.n.d
- 3 out of 3 people
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the lyrics and the beats
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- By El Saltamonte
- 6/23/2009 13:55:13
- i like this album, you just have to let it digest you know...thats how i was when i first heard mos defs music, i like the beats, reminds me of the album BLACK ON BOTH SIDE which was awesome, now i cant wait for this one...mos def is just very under rated, people just like listening to that stupid lilly wayne
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yahh good
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- By mikenation94
- 6/15/2009 04:53:19
- best song Auditorium, good album, but only a couple good songs, deserves a listen though..good job Mos Def
- 1 out of 1 people
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I like the new album!
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- By Jared40
- 6/15/2009 01:29:10
- I really like the new album. Mos Def is a great artist. My favorite song off the album is Casa Bey. Another couple of my favorite songs are Supermagic,Pistola,and History.Great to see Mos back after his last album True Magic which by far is my least favorite album of Mos Def.
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Stick to acting Mos
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- By Spitulski
- 6/14/2009 06:50:58
- Now - we all loved Italian Job, and Mos is certainly a talented person. I was not very impressed with this album, however, especially considering I was really waiting for it. I love the guy, but he could have done better on this one. is pretty good, but other than that, most songs got old very quickly.
This may be the type of album that you have to be in a certain mood for. It's very subtle and unique - I was just not impressed with it. Give it a shot though - 2 out of 8 people
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Great Album
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- By tukayzoon
- 6/11/2009 17:46:46
- Mos is back..boogieman!!
- 3 out of 3 people
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Another Classic!!!
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- By JTRockBox
- 6/9/2009 15:46:41
- This is another great one from the artist like no other. He's returned to his Black on Both Sides days and has pushed the lyrical content even further. Nice to hear Madlib and a few others contribute to the album.
Great listen! - 5 out of 5 people
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