Wyclef Jean - The Preacher's Son

After catching heat for 2002's disappointing Masquerade, Wyclef Jean jiggered his "ecleftic" formula a bit; this time he's come closer to hitting the mark. Listeners will be pretty hard-pressed to find much actual rapping on The Preacher's Son, but the former Fugee does a good job showcasing a wide variety of musical genres, all crafted with the highest of production values. Tracks like "Baby Daddy" (an ode to step-fatherhood featuring Redman) and "Next Generation" (featuring Rah Digga and the always tight Scarface) give a brief nod to Clef's MC status while "Party to Damascus" (a duet with the ubiquitous Missy Elliott) helps bridge the gap between traditional and next-wave hip-hop. But the eclectic roster of non-MC guests proves that Wyclef's musical vision is bigger than hip-hop. Where else would you be able to hear Patti LaBelle, Carlos Santana, and Haitian kompa kings T-Vice all do their thing? --Rebecca Levine Amazon.com

A breath of fresh air...

Wyclef is brilliant, and with 'The Preacher's Son' Wyclef leaves no room to debate. What's great about this album is that Wyclef proves he's more than a one trick pony living in the shadow of 'The Fugees' but is a brilliant artist who is prepared to make his mark, and what a mark he makes. Opening with a jab at the industry as a whole he calls out all the artist with beef pleading with them to end it for its not worth it. Wyclef continues to sing about things that matter by picking subjects that span further than sex and weed. On tracks like 'Baby Daddy' he gives a shout out to all the RESPONSABLE men out there who will take care of their woman and their babies (even if the kid aint really theirs). 'Celebrate' featuring the talented Mrs Labell shines as a classic throwback song to the way things used to be when life was simple. 'Linda' shows the dangers of cheating while 'Next Generation' shows the importance of learning from mistakes to make a better tomorrow. 'Class Reunion' features the beautiful voice of Monica as she and Wyclef take a 'Waterfalls' type spin on the song, singing about young children with bright future's throwing it all away. There are plenty an island vibe to this album as well with slow tracks like 'I'm You're Doctor' and 'Who Gave the Order' and then faster jam songs like 'Party by the Sea' which in my opinion is just brilliant. 'Take me as I Am' is a nice ode to the woman who's always been there, and will always be there, and 'Rebel Music' is one of the best tracks here, beat, lyrics and all...I just love it. 'Party to Damascus' featuring Missy Eliott is freaking off the hook, and the remix which closes out this brilliant album is even better. Talk about made for the clubs! Anyways, Wyclef deserves all the praise he can get for this effort for he gives you great track after great track, but never falls into a mold or a nitch. Every track is unique and refreshing in itself. 'The Preacher's Son' proves to be that breath of fresh air I needed to believe that great music still exists! April 20, 2006

He needs to be serious

If wyclef continues with such nonsense,i'll stop possessing his albums.What is he? a rapper,reggae singer or what? You are agood lyricist clef,but you need to decide what you want to do December 30, 2005

This album is the mature side to Wyclef

Wyclef definitely delivers on this album. Hip-hop's biggest problem these days: Underground aside, almost everything mainstream out there has a sameness to them, so many thanks to Clef for snapping the neck of monotony, and once again coming out with an inspired and different piece of work.

On his fourth album, "The Preacher's Son", his first for J Records, Clef puts the outside the box collaborations and flamboyant genre mixing on the back burner and the result is a strong and cohesive collection of quality and soulful songs. Musically, the album stays mostly in Clef's comfort zones of Hip-Hop, Calypso and Reggae. Lyrically Clef combines the folksy story telling Calypso tradition with the swagger and pop culture references of hip-hop. On "Industry", he rides and hard baseline in a style halfway between rapping and singing and turns in a heartfelt plea for peace in the hip-hop nation.

Missy Elliot stops by to add her characteristic energy and staccato flow to a jubilant island groove on "Party to Damascus". And Reggae super stars Wayne Wonder and Elephant man kick laid back reggae verses in-between Clef's melodic Calypso grooves on the chorus. Clef even ventures successfully into Latin sounds with Carlos Santana on "Three Nights in Rio", and vintage quiet storm R&B on the seductive "Baby". The album keeps a diverse but consistently fun groove through out, but the highlights come at the end when Clef gets a little more serious. "Next Generation" mixes themes of rebellion and spirituality over an intense hip-hop beat and Caribbean inspired melody. "Rebel Music" follows with a groove bouncy enough for the clubs, but dark enough to resonate as Clef sings about the plagues of urban society and the music business. And on "Who Gave the Order", Clef channels the spirit of the great Bob Marley for an anthem of defiance, righteous anger and ultimately spiritual resiliency.

While not quite the aural feast of "Carnival," The Preacher's Son is better written and conceived than Masquerade, and more cohesive than "Ecleftic". Any fan of Wyclef definitely has to get this....non-fans might seriously want to consider this album, Other than that it's a solid album.
December 17, 2005

This Is The Best CD I Own!

Ok, you just have to buy this cd if you like wyclef... and even if you dont, you will love this cd... i listen to it first song till the last one over and over... i do have my favourites: industry, baby daddy, grateful, take me as i am. But i love them all.. the only one i kind of like a little bit less is party to damascus remix... but its still pretty good... well, i really do hope you buy it... because i surely dont regret it! February 2, 2005

CD + DVD = GREATNESS

I admit the cd is probably a 3, 3.5 out of 5, but the dvd jam session is worth a seperate 10 to 15 bucks easily. Check it out, def worth the money September 3, 2004

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