I don’t recall the last time I was this excited about writing a review but Ms. Badu has brought me here once again. Her latest release, New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh), has that soulful Erykah that we all know and love. She says what she means and doesn’t apologize for it. She puts her heart and mind on each album for us to examine whether we agree or not. And this time around, I think you’ll agree.
This album’s predecessor, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), was political and lacked the usual love songs we are use to from Ms. Erykah but on this album she delivered a healthy dose. In the track “Umm Hmm” she beautifully samples a song from the 80’s titled "Take Some Time" by Ndugu & The Chocolate Jam Co. I applaud artists for introducing us to other artist we may have never heard of if they hadn’t sampled them. Good lookin out Ms. Badu! She also takes a sample from a rap group you may have already heard of. In the track titled “Take Me Away (Get Munny)”, she takes you back to the 1996 hit by Junior M.A.F.I.A adding her Baduizm of course.
Choosing a favorite on this album was very difficult, so….I didn’t. In order for a song to be your favorite it has to move you and you have to be able to relate to it. “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long” and “Out My Mind, Just In Time” help make this album one you can just relax to on a Tuesday night. “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long” is a song about a woman who understands her man has to do what he has to do to survive, but he needs to hurry back to her loving arms. I can relate to this song all too well. She delivers it in a very simple way using a sample from a 1979 record titled “Arrow Through Me”. And I don’t know about you, but I love those songs that never seem to end. And that’s exactly what “Out My Mind, Just In Time” does, or doesn’t do. It is 10 minutes and 21 seconds in length and only Erykah Badu could keep out attention that long. She pours out her heart being as honest as she can, calling herself an undercover, over lover. Wow. How many people can relate and would admit to that? In the beginning of this track she sounds just like the legendary Ms. Billie Holiday, pain and all. She switches the music around a few times during this ride, like only she can do, but the message remains the same. This album offers a ride filled with jazz, funk, emotion, blues, and honesty. While Mama’s Gun remains my favorite Erykah Badu album, this one is in a close 2nd. Thank you Erykah, for yet another album full of real music.
