Posted on 09/12/2005

 

Controversy swirled like an F-5 Tornado as the release date of The Minstrel Show approached: how the Atlantic Records label debut received little promotion, how the editor of The Source quit his job after arguing with Benzino over the rating of the album, how BET was reluctant to play their videos—deeming the group "too smart", how Rolling Stone only gave the album a 2.5 out of 5 rating, and how they don't even get love in the group's home state of North Carolina. That's a pretty fair amount of attention for a group that didn't even exist a few years ago, yet have come to be the figurehead for the next generation of the Native Tongue sound. With the cult status of LB's debut album The Listening, the expectations of The Minstrel Show have been impossibly high. Will it be the best album of 2005? Is it better than Be or Late Registration?



nstead of addressing all the rumors and drawing comparisons, let's cut to the chase and just enjoy the music, free of the periphery.

The Minstrel Show is a concept album in the same vein as The Listening. This time, WJLR is replaced with "UBN", a TV-station. The album's overall theme: hip hop is the modern day minstrel show and rappers are pimping themselves and hip-hop culture to the masses.

"Beautiful Morning", which blends cleverly into "The Becoming", introduces the album and prepares the listener for the album's overall sound: hard-hitting, but often non-distinctive soul-sampling production from 9th Wonder (and yes, he uses the same drums he always has. If it ain't broke, why fix it?), and very good raps by Big Pooh and Phonte.



ittle Brother does its best to represent the Justus League family on the major-label release. Singer Darien Brockington provides his smooth and soulful vocals on "Not Enough" and "Slow It Down". Foreign Exchange producer Nicolay contributes to The Minstrel Show, as does Khrysis, who delivers arguably the album's best beat in "Watch Me". Finally, Joe Scudda ("performing in blackface") adds to the first single "Lovin' It", which serves as the quintessential LB track with a

oulful beat and excellent lyrics (sans Scudda's below-average verse).



he chilled-out vibe of the album is balanced with the skits, which not only furthers the album's theme, but also provides much needed comic relief. The brilliant "Cheatin'" is a mockery of current R&B musical trends and fits surprisingly well amongst the more somber songs.

"Hiding Place" is the definite highlight. Elzhi of Slum Village and Phonte trade venom on the microphone, whilst Big Pooh holds his own. Meanwhile "Sincerely Yours" finds the group surprisingly introspective over an uncharacteristically mellow and musical 9th Wonder beat.

While The Minstrel Show has moments reminiscent of The Listening ("All For You", "Still Lives Through", and "We Got Now"), it lacks the cohesion of their debut. 9th Wonder spreads his production too thin amongst his J-League associates and others such as Buckshot, when he should be saving his best work for his immediate crew. Although still a very solid release and one of the best this year, that great song or great album still eludes this talented trio.