Common- Be (LP) (SOLD OUT)
Though heralded as an instant hip-hop classic by some, Common's Be doesn't quite live up to the hype, though it is still has several strengths going for it. Compared to the esoteric themes and production of his last album, Electric Circus, Be is far more grounded in street-level beats and rhymes, especially on songs like "The Corner" and "Real People"--Common's odes to personality and places 'round the way. At only 11 songs, this is a very compact album, both a blessing and curse by keeping the pacing brisk but it also amplifies weaknesses like the syrupy crossover attempt, "Go," or overly sentimental "Love Is." Production by Kanye West and Jay Dee is uniformly strong and it lends a consistency that is essential for such a relatively short album. It is worth noting that Common and Kanye's chemistry is especially well matched. -- Oliver Wang
Tracklist
A1Be (Intro)
Bass [Acoustic] – Derrick Hodge
Keyboards – James Poyser
Mixed By – Andrew Dawson
A2The Corner
Backing Vocals – Kanye West, The Last Poets
Featuring – The Last Poets
A3GO!
Backing Vocals – John Mayer, Kanye West
Percussion – Num Amuntehu*
Scratches – A-Trak
B1Faithful
Backing Vocals – Bilal, John Legend
Keyboards – James Poyser
B2TestifyB3Love Is...
Backing Vocals – Luna E
Mixed By – Bob Power
Producer, Recorded By – J Dilla
C1Chi City
Backing Vocals – Kanye West
Recorded By – Jared Zastrow
C2The Food (Live)
Backing Vocals – Kanye West
Mixed By – Andrew Dawson
Recorded By – Charles Hunt
Scratches – DJ Dummy
Vocals [Additional] – Dave Chappelle
C3Real People
Recorded By – Anthony Kilhoffer
D1They Say
Featuring – Kanye West
Vocals – John Legend
D2It's Your World (Part 1 & 2)
Backing Vocals – Bilal
Co-producer – James Poyser, Karriem Riggins
Drums – Karriem Riggins
Keyboards – James Poyser
Keyboards [Additional] – Kanye West
Mixed By – Bob Power
Percussion – Karriem Riggins
Producer, Recorded By – J Dilla
Strings – James Poyser
Vocals [Additional] – Lonnie Lynn
