Wyclef Jean - Presents the Carnival Featuring the Refugee Allstars

"Taste the culture, know who you are," exhorts a voice in the opening seconds of The Carnival. While Fugees mastermind Wyclef sets a high goal for his first solo album, essentially a follow-up to the Brooklyn hip-hoppers' multiplatinum The Score, he never succumbs to feel-goodism or preachiness while traveling the songlines. Including everything from over-the-top operatic scatting to Bee Gees samples and Celia Cruz as part of its rhythm nation, The Carnival proves that, "Killing Me Softly" or no, the rapper/producer is far from losing his knack for mad fun and games. And, indeed, if you're not careful, you may end up learning something: witness the ballad "Gone Till November," a drug runner's unflinching lament. --Rickey Wright Amazon.com

classic

i like this entire album too. this was a great debut for him as a solo artist. it's also fun to listen to with the skits. July 30, 2008

Classic, Classic, Classic!!!

To many people, the Fugees were the quintessential rap trio comprised of Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, and Pras. While the seperation of this supergroup revealed each member's exceptional artistry....who can forget the Miseducation of Lauren Hill....Wyclef out did himself on this album. As hip hop albums go, Carnival can be viewed as one of the Hip Hop Masterpieces of the decade!

Incidentally, I classify the "Miseducation..." as one of the R&B Mastepieces! January 10, 2007

Good Album, Shows The Talent of Wyclef

I thought this was a good solo album from Wyclef that presents some good songs to listen to. Definately get "We Trying To Stay Alive." It is a great song with a catchy beat from the original Staying Alive. Good Listen July 6, 2006

Aiight

This carnival gets a little borin' sometimes. If you ever been to a carnival, when you got off a wild ride, then next thing you know you waitin on a long a** line that just kills your fun until the next ride. That's what this album does. Clef hits you in the head wit a bangin track, then kills your mood with a completely unnecessary skit. And its after almost every song. And thats annoyin to me cause I hate skits alot. If you gon' rap n**** then rap. I had this album for like 7 years and I can't listen to it all the way through for that reason. Puttin the skits aside it is pretty solid. And next to the crap pollutin the airwaves these days, it stands a lot higher. July 1, 2006

Wicked lots of fun

I borrowed this c.d. from a friend of mine, and have never given it back. This c.d. sat in my 6 disk player (in the car) for a year. Not only are the songs so good that you have them stuck in your head all day but the court thing is funny too. I love how it almost takes you around the world in styles. Spanish, french, carribean. I don't know any other talented musician who can do that, except for Wyclef. This is another c.d. that you enjoy listing to the words as well as the great music. Wyclef is a very talented artist, and has the ability to make something beautiful and fun at the same time. April 5, 2006

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