Sounding off. . - The Best In Recorded Music - sound recording review

Ebony, Feb, 2002 by Lynn Norment

For those who can't get enough of JILL SCOTT, there is more, much more. The talented, neo-soul artist is back with Experience: JILL SCOTT 826 (Hidden Beach), a two-disc follow-up to her acclaimed, double-platinum debut. This time, the free-spirited poet/singer does what she enjoys most and delivers an outstanding live performance. On disc 1, there are favorites such as "A Long Walk," "One is the Magic #," and "He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)," all recorded live in Philly, L.A. and D.C. On disc 2, the Philly native offers 10 new selections. Standouts include the invigorating "Gotta Get Up," (which features 4 Hero), "High Post Brotha," featuring Common, and the sultry "Gimme."

LIL' BOW WOW is back leading the pack with Doggy Bag (So So Def), the successor to his multiplatinum debut, Beware of Dog. Among the slamming jams is "Thank You," a tribute to fans that features Jagged Edge and Fundisha. There are also "Take Ya Home," produced by The Neptunes and featuring Khim Davis and Aaliyah Minter," and "All I Know" with Lil' Corey. Da Brat appears on "Crazy" and Xscape is captured on "Off The Glass." Produced by his mentor, music wiz Jermaine Dupri, Doggy Bag proves that Lil' Bow Wow is more than a one-hit puppy wonder.

WARREN G (Warren Griffin III) demonstrates universal funk appeal on The Return of the Regulator (Universal). "Lookin' at You" is a foot-tapping party jam with pretty vocals from Toi and is produced by Dr. Dre. The groove continues with "Here Comes Another Hit," with Nate Dogg and Mista Grimm, and "Somethin' To Bounce To," with Soopafly. George Clinton infuses old-school funk into "Speed Dreamin'," while the smooth, catchy "Yo' Sassy Ways" reunites Warren G with Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg, comrades from his original 213 group. Other great jams include "It Ain't Nothin' Wrong with You" and "Streets of LBC" (Long Beach City, Warren's hometown), with standout vocals from Lady Mo. The platinum artist and producer reflects on personal heartaches in the moving "Keepin' It Strong," featuring El DeBarge.

ALSO NOTED: WOW Gospel 2002 (EMI/Verity/Word), featuring John P. Kee, CeCe Winans, Dottie Peoples, Richard Smallwood, and Bishop T.D. Jakes; Tri-City Singers, Go Get Your Life Back (EMI); One Nation Under God, with Deitrick Hoddon, Bishop Larry Trotter, Dr. Leonard Scott and others (Tysot); Denise LaSalle, There's No Separation (Black Cat); Faith Evans, Faithfully (Bad Bay/Arista); Bayz II Men, Legacy: The Greatest Hits Collection (Universal); Temptations, Awesome (Motown); Victor Wooten, Yin Yang (Compass Records); Bell Biv DeVoe, BBD (Universal); Corey, I'm Just Corey (Motown); Keke Wyatt, Soul Sista (MCA); Mariah Carey, Greatest Hits (Columbia); Master P, Gameface (Universal/New No Limit); Busta Rhymes, Genesis (J Records); Ice Cube, Greatest Hits (Priority); Eightball, Almost Famous (JCor); Cypress Hill, Stoned Raiders (Columbia); Nate Dogg, Music and Me (Elektra); Hypnotize Minds Presents ... The Dirty Dirty Vol. 1 (Loud); Lil' Jay, All About J (Hollywood); Ghostface Killah, Bulletproof Wallets (Epic); Jurassic 5, Quality Control (Interscope); Petey Pablo, Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry (Jive); Too Short, Chase The Cat (Jive); Grand Puba, Understand This (Koch); Method Man and Redman, How High soundtrack (Def Jam); Mobb Deep, Infamy, Starring: Havoc and Prodigy (Loud/Columbia); Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner (Verve); Bona Fide, The Poe House (N-Coded Music); and Restoration: The Best of Bob James (WB).