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Jill Scott - The Real Thing - Words and Sounds, Vol. 3

The Real Thing is tight. It’s very much like Jill Scott’s debut Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds, Vol. 1. From the poetry over jazz-infused beats that are reminiscent of a smoky club in Philly, to Jill’s mesmerising whispers over the phone. Evidence is in the new “My Love”, a reminder of 2002’s “Love Rain” and “Honey Molasses”. It’s fantastic if you want to get reacquainted with the Jill that neo-soul fans fell in love with in 2000 when they first got introduced to Jill Scott.

The similarities could be consequential - some may feel bored with it.

Credit must be given to Ms Scott for her poetic lyricism, creating relevant lyrics (such as on the first single “Hate On Me”) and flawless soulful music. With news of her divorce from her partner of 12 years (they were married for five), it’s tempting to try to find which songs will reveal what broke up the happy couple. Is it the first single “Hate On Me” or the intro “Let It Be”? In interviews Jill has been very blasé about the break saying ‘it happens’ and no one is at fault. Jill who has always written and co-written all her songs, deals with real life experience, so it’s only expected that the delivery be genuine, heartfelt and well thought out.

With this album you’ll kick back to acid jazz, soul, funk and R&B. She’s also added an 80s R&B sound on “Come See Me” and “All I”, and dabbles in southern jazz on “Celibacy Blues”.
So, yes, even with the similarities to Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds, Vol. 1, The Real Thing does live up to Jill’s classic work. If you are new to Ms Scott this is a CD well worth grabbing. If you are an original fan, your collection won’t be naked without this one.

-Nomfundo H Mbaba+Tshabalala

What other critics said:

“Scott's new album traces the arc of a relationship whose dissolution slows her down midway through -- until Track Thirteen. There, a new fella shows up to cure her "Celibacy Blues," touching off the whispered, honeyed "All I," a lesson for any horndog naive enough to believe that toned babes make better sex kittens.” - Robert Christgau, Rollingstones.com

“Jill Scott is undeniably one of the most popular constituents of the Neo-Soul movement…Scott’s music can be rendered a bit “female-centric” but, like on her other albums, she proves that her writing is more about human connections.” - Jonathan Reyes, allhiphop.com

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