Be (2xVINYL) | Mint (M) Mint (M)

BRAND NEW

Label: Getting Out Our Dreams – B0004670-01, Geffen Records – B0004670-01
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: May 24, 2005
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Conscious

A1 Be (Intro)
A2 Corner - Common, the Last Poets
A3 Go!
B1 Faithful
B2 Testify
B3 Love Is
C1 Chi-City
C2 Food [Live]
C3 Real People
D1 They Say - Common, John Legend, Kanye West
D2 It's Your World, Pt. 1 & 2 - Common, Kids

After fusing hip-hop, rock, and soul on 2002's THE ELECTRIC CIRCUS, Chicago rapper Common returned three years later with BE. Like its two-letter title, BE is much leaner, consisting of 11 pure hip-hop tracks marked by Common's enlightened, contemplative, easy-flowing lyrics. Although the album is more streamlined, it's not predictable or unoriginal, as the beats unfold with the same combination of rawness and melodic energy that made Kanye West's debut so uncommonly engaging. This is no coincidence--West is present throughout much of BE, producing all but two of the songs here. West even appears on one of the disc's highlights, "The Food," with some expert freestyle rhyming as captured live on CHAPPELLE'S SHOW. Common's confident, yet constantly searching, demeanor and his poetic instinct for just the right words bonds him to the heritage of hip-hop, a point hit home by the presence of rap legends the Last Poets on "The Corner." Common is always slightly and endearingly unsure, and his self-deprecation seeps out on "Love Is..." and "Faithful." However, he has the inner power to garner attention, as evident on the smooth party jam "GO!" (featuring John Mayer). BE is Common at his unaffected, commanding best.

• Media Condition: Mint (M)
• Sleeve Condition: Mint (M)
• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: HIP HOP
• Format Type: 2xLP
• Released: 05/24/2005