Wyclef Jean :
The Preacher's Son

Release Date: 4 November 2003

Reviewed By: Angharad Williams

1. Intro

2. Industry

3. Party To Damascus (feat. Missy Elliot)

4. Celebrate (feat. Patti Labelle, Cassidy)

5. Baby Daddy (feat. Redman)

6. Three Nights In Rio (feat Carlos Santana)

7. Class Reunion (feat. Monica)

8. Baby

9. I Am Your Doctor (feat Elephant Man, Wayne Wonder)

10. Linda (feat. carl Restivo)

11. Take Me As I Am (feat. Sharissa)

12. Grateful

13. Next Generation (feat. Scarface, Rah Digga)

14. Rebel Music (feat. Prodigy)

15. Who Gave The Order (feat Buju Banton)

16. Party By The Sea (feat Buju Banton, T-Vice)

17. Party To Damascus (Remix bonus Track feat. Missy Elliot)

Bubba Sparxxx - Deliverance
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Since the break up of the Fugees, somewhere around 97, the three ex-members of the Fugees have travelled in different life and musical directions. The 'Mis Education Of Lauryn Hill (98), came from the only female member, Hill, and went multi-platinum, leading on to her receiving five grammys. Pras, released his debut, Ghetto Supastar (98), which failed to make any significant impact. Then there's his cousin, Wyclef Jean. The 31 year old, Haitian, who released his debut album, 'The Carnival' (97), was praised, like Hill, for his creativity and ground breaking fusion of Reggae and Hip Hop.

After a promising start, Clef, however, headed in, what some would describe as a downwards trajectory, releasing two follow up albums, 'The Eclectic' (2000) and Masquerade' (02), both of which were generally seen as being luke warm albums.

On Nov 4 03, the guitar-loving singer/rapper, returns with his third album, 'The Preacher's Son'. With this being his first album under, the relatively new label, J Records, Clef has a lot to prove.

The album starts with a short sketch from comedian, Steve Harvey. This quickly leads on to the first single from the album, 'Industry', where Clef raps about how things could have been different in the Hip Hop game. "Imagine if Biggie and Pac never got shot / And they both still were rulers of hip hop / And Puffy and Suge was roomates from college / And Big L never got found in the alley... It goes on. This track is tight and definitely one for true hip hop heads.

The following recently released track, 'Party To Damascus', features Missy Elliot and is not the first track that struck me, but trust me, it'll grow on you. Another good number is celebrate, featuring veteran soul singer, Patti Labelle. Other artists which feature on the album are Prodigy of Mobb Deep, Wayne Wonder, Elephant Man, Scarface, Redman, and Buju Banton. Consequently the album has a very mixed sound. To appreciate it fully, one must have an open mind, and especially towards the latter part of the album, enjoy reggae and dancehall inspired music. Lyrically the album is fuelled by political awareness and social consciousness, covering themes such as education, love and war.

In all honesty for me, Clef has come closer to hitting the mark on this album than 'The Eclectic', and Mascarade, and possibly regained the same level of quality, as 'Carnival' in terms of production quality and diversity.

Clef is definitely a talented and unique artist who cannot be categorised. As well as rapping and singing, he produces, DJ's, hosts awards ceremonies and acts in television commercials. Love him or hate him, there is no denying that Wyclef Jean demands respect as an entertainer.

If you are fed up of your run-of-the-mill Hip Hop album and want a refreshing change, then there's no doubt this is one to pick up. The Preacher's Son is out now.

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