4/5
Hamilton.
Comin' from where he was from, way back in 2003 (although it all seems like yesterday when superproducer Jermaine Dupri was doing the radio rounds, bringing that old So So Def thing back like Scarface remixes), with 'Cornbread, Fish and Collarad Greens' for quite a meal, modern day soul legend Anthony Hamilton told his muse, "I'm a pimp girl". And right now the man who scored on 'Django Unchained' (for 'Freedom' with Elayna Boynton) and 'American Gangster' soundtracks for Denzel Washington like Jay-Z ('Do You Feel Me') as well as cutting vinyl with David Banner ('Cool') really is like one. Check the checkered green suited with a hat to match like Bishop Don 'Magic' Juan. Aviating with a gold grill and a ring that looked like the one the old lady dropped in the ocean in 'Titanic' (one that could sink a ship itself), this Boss Playa looks the part too. Word to Uncle Charlie Wilson for the family. And why shouldn't he? In the Nelly vein of a "Positive, Motivated, Intellectual Person," (the pair suited up back in the day for Mo's 'Nobody Knows'). The reformed dealer turned signature soul supplier has been doing it for decades. Whether it's his steady stream of acclaimed albums like the classic 'Where I'm From' ('Ain't Nobody Worryin'', 'The Point Of It All', 'Back To Love' and 2016's last look at 'What I'm Feelin''), or lost one's brought back like Lauryn Hill and the Fugees in reunion (the sensational double of 'Soulife' and 'Southern Comfort' for the wonderful 'White Hennessy' singer). Hamilton even decorated a Christmas tree like a P.I.M.P. 'Home For The Holidays' in 2014. Now fedora and fur draped in a charcoal and velvet cover that typography takes it back to the days people like Curtis were getting ready to move on up, the artwork of this throwback is as amazing as the art itself on track to match. All for the deceleration that 'Love Is The New Black' and more than in fashion, as the everlasting raised power of both matters.
Back in black for love, the album-titled lead track and lead single is the new hit for the man who has classics like Cooke and took it further back than Motown for the old soul day. Decades before the modern great Leon Bridges did that, 'Coming Home' and bringing the 'Good Thing' back for his 'Gold-Diggers Sound'. We've said before that if this was fifty years ago, Leon Bridges would be the biggest soul star in the world. Well, if this was the case Hamilton would be the legend like Lin-Manuel Miranda. Still, holding their stage with a significant spotlight, these two are still modern greats in their own right. But oh how they remind us of a time when music was made for the soul with all their heart. "I know where I'm goin'/You know where it's at/One thing that's for sure/Love is the new Black/I know where I'm goin'/You know where it's at (Yeah, yeah)/One thing that's for sure/Love is the new Black," Anthony sings for the new subtle anthem for the stirring souls in single. The southern soul comfort for a man who is more than neo in this music matrix continues with the sampling like Mos Def for 'The Panties' on 'Threw It All Away', that reminds us of the days Seal swam with old soul two times like when 'Love Don't Live Here Anymore'. "No more games you're out the door/I don't have time for your games no more/What a shame you carried out/But you're no more, you're no more, you're no more", he sings to a lost lover standing in solidarity of self, despite the hurt. Licking his wounds and the shots he sings. Fired up like ones of vodka for love on the rocks with a twist.
Rick Ross assists, trading furs and pimped out Maybach's for the music of 'Real Love'. Whilst Lil Jon offers the trademark "yeah's" and even raps for the crunk of 'I'm Ready' for this fellow ATLien outcast like big boys and records piled three stacks high. But it's the Dupri reunion 'Coming Home' to where Hamilton is from over electric that is really so, so, "you know what it is". Not to be confused with his Christmas song like Nat King Cole of the same name for the holidays, but one that is still set to illuminate the fall like tree lights. However, if you want to talk about big collaborations, then how about the 'Dreamgirls', 'Superstar' one covered with the modern Aretha herself, Jennifer Hudson? Respect! "You made a fool of me/I gave you all I had/You made a fool of me/I'll never take you back" he says on the following song ('You Made A Fool Of Me') that lacking that deserves its R.E.S.P.E.C.T. too. Find out what it means. It's the kind of break-up ballad that says 'I Thought We Were In Love' like the atmospheric follow that "takes me back" like this Ant man says. Now a Goliath giant of a G.O.A.T. in this game like King James ("two peas in the pod" as green as this soul anchorman's new suit). The bedroom music for your late night sessions is bound and back for cuffing season like the 'Pillow' talk comforts from the soul of the South. "It will make you hurt somebody/It will make you walk the line" he warns like the Man in Black, Johnny Cash. Talking about the new black. "I had a habit of running you off" he admits too on the confessional like a Catholic Church booth 'I'm Sorry' (the most used words in my vocabulary) behind the grill for the sins. For better or worse, either way it all hurts in all its worth. "Until you've felt the pain of a broken man/You can never start to understand". So have 'Mercy' for Anthony like when Marvin sang about it twice. Because Lord have it, this God has got good songbooks worth of testament for this soul scripture. It ain't 'Safe', but with the soul sample of said song, "neighbourhoods we gon' get 'em back/love in the schools we gon' get it back/Justice we gon' get it back/Families we gon' get 'em back", Hamilton promises all this and a better future on the real declaration of this 'Love Is The New Black' album. And 'Mama Don't Cry' in classic closing, because we believe him like the 'Comin'' opening of 'Mama Knew Love' that channeled the Carter's 'Momma Loves Me' Blueprint. Even if it takes so long like seeing our relatives during these quarantined times, we'll find a vaccine for this pain and you don't have to take it in your veins like the wrong sort of drug (but get vaxxed like you should still wear a mask). This is one that touches the skin with love. Hand-in-hand we will reach the mountaintop Martin told us about once again thanks to Kings like this. Love never went out of fashion like the fact that black lives ALWAYS mattered. But oh how sweet it sounds that like Anthony, it's back. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Love Is The New Black', 'Threw It All Away', 'Coming Home (Feat. Jermaine Dupri').
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