Album Review: Jill Scott "The Real Thing: Words And Sounds Vol. 3"

Jill Scott
"The Real Thing: Words And Sounds Vol. 3"
2007 Hidden Beach Recordings
3.5/5

I don't know whether it's the divorce or whether she's been hanging out too much with her "Why Did I Get Married" film co-star, Janet Jackson but Jill Scott has turned into a freak. Look at that album cover. Do you see those eyes? Do you see those breasts pushed up there in that top? That's the face of a woman who knows what she wants and by the end of the album gets it over and over and over again, in different positions too.

Needless to say at this point but "The Real Thing" is Scott's most sexual album yet. I haven't been this shocked listening to Jill Scott songs since "The Thickness" from the "Experience" album and at least there she prefaced the song with a disclaimer. Don't get me wrong, I'm liking freaky Jill but it's just taking some getting used to.

I'm glad Jill Started the album with the trio of "Let It Be", "The Real Thing", and the first and current single, "Hate On Me" because I don't like all three of these songs and she's made it so easy for me to skip them. The first is pointless, the second uninspired, and the third's subject matter is just beneath Jill. I don't know who's idea it was to make that the single. I guess it has to do with the fact that it's one of the safer songs on the album.

Now we can get to the good stuff. The fourth track "Come See Me" is amazing. The lyrics and Jill's voice totally convey the song's message of longing and desire. It will definitely put you in the mood. It's more sensual than sexual. One of the best songs on the album. It would have made a much better first single than that "Hate On Me".

"Crown Royal" and "Epiphany" are almost downright pornographic compared to songs from Scott's previous albums. The first describes a situation in which Scott and her male friend are doing it doggy style, the second tells a story about Scott and a male friend doing it missionary, doggy style and then missionary again with "creamy hot lava hitting her skin and neck" somewhere in between. "My Love" is a haunting ballad in which she tells an ex that her love is "deeper" and "tighter" than that of his wife. "How It Make You Feel", asks the question what would the world be like for a black man if there were no more black women. She emphasized her point by telling him that there'd be no more "nappy dugout ever." All she dreams about is making love on "All I" and then she gave it all up on "Celibacy Blues". Of course in true Jill Scott style, her songs, even the freakier ones, are to educate more than titillate. These songs contain her most racy of lyrical moments but keep in mind that there's still no parental advisory sticker on the CD.

Other rated G highlights from the album are "Insomnia" where Scott tells the story of a woman waiting up all night for a man who never comes home. She's on the verge on infidelity on "Whenever You're Around" and she's ready to leave on the funky "Only You".

It's different but good. Is it as good as her first album? No. But really is anything?

If you must download, download: "Come See Me", "My Love", &  "Insomnia"

ALBUM IN STORES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th!

Buy it from Amazon.com here.

Website: JillScott.com

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Playing In The Background...
"My Love"
by Jill Scott
from the album "The Real Thing: Words And Sounds Vol. 3"
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