Albums

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), Dec 29, 2008

Byline: Andy Hirst

COMMON: Universal Mind Control. The Chicago hip hop pioneer shows why he's one of the genre's movers and shakers. His musings range from an optimistic look at the USA's future under Barack Obama and then next moment he's in the bedroom with one thing on his mind. Sometimes the sound's a seductive trudge and the next a Motown skip as on the positively glowing Make My Day and a James Bond style twist on Changes. The solid strings foundation of Inhale gives it a soaring summer feel. Common started the Common Good Foundation dedicated to using the cultural relevance of hip hop to push justice, education and an increase in health awareness among young people in deprived communities in the USA.

WILEY: See Clear Now. Back over this side of the Pond, the slick-tongued Londoner has carved out his own niche - heavy synth rap. It can be funky with a natural sense of excitement - never more so than on his previous gritty single Wearing My Rolex and current soulful one Cash In My Pocket. Others range from jubilant soul dance to synth-led pumping house and even a rare reflective piano-led moment.

He's held in high regard, hence an impressive guest list that includes Hot Chip, Kano, Daniel Merriweather and Mark Ronson.

CAPTION(S):

PIONEER: Common