Jill Scott Collaborations

Jill Scott | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 30, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hidden Beach
• ASIN: B000LV63RC
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,184 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #27 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Experimental Rap
  • #34 in Music > Jazz > Smooth Jazz
  • #96 in Music > R&B > Contemporary R&B

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

At the time of its release, internet rumor had it that Collaborations was a "taster" project--that is, a sampler to whet listeners' appetites for Scott's long-awaited third solo album, due in summer of 2007. But Collaborations doesn't play like something you'd listen to once before throwing your napkin (or, more accurately, your earbuds) down. Not only does it genre-jump with the kind of precision you don't normally find in an artist pinned to a certain musical movement (in Scott's case, neo-soul), it throws the weight of its bold names around without straining or slacking under the pressure. The hit here is "Daydreamin'," a fuzz-encrusted slice of alternative hip-hop off Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor, but there's so many other full-bodied contenders for mass adoration it could easily be eclipsed as the favorite. They include the soul-soaked "Said Enough," with the unmistakable Isley Brothers; the noirish thumper "8 Minutes to Sunrise," with Common (who also gets "Funky for You" together with Bilal); and "Slide," maybe the sexiest jazz-and-R&B hybrid ever to heat up a mainstream diva's disc. On that track, credit goes to Jeff Bradshaw for brilliance with his brass. But consider it: how many other singers could pull off sultriness alongside a trombone? Scott is a shape-shifting vocal wonder; Collaborations is the latest evidence. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

Talent, Innovation, Style, Charisma, Passion and Versatility are just a few of the words that come to mind when people talk about the true artistry that has become Jill Scott's trademark.

Jill's chameleon-like ability to passionately perform in an eclectic array of genres, from hip hop, to jazz, to urban alternative, to spoken word, to latin jazz and gospel, has led many of her fans and peers to call her "The Real Thing."

Jill Scott Collaborations is arguably the most unique set of collaborations by one artist ever assembled. The Jill Scott Collaborations CD has something for music fans of all types as it features many of Jill's collaborative efforts over the past six years including her incredible work with WILL SMITH, SERGIO MENDES AND WILL.I.AM of the Black Eyed Peas, MOS DEF, CHRIS BOTTI, AL JARREAU AND GEORGE BENSON, KIRK FRANKLIN, MOS DEF, LUPE FIASCO, and others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars, February 3, 2007

By 

W. E. Phillips (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jill Scott Collaborations (Audio CD)

First off, this collection is only meant to be an appetizer for the fans until the new studio album, The Real Thing, which will be released this summer. (Although I also imagine that it was released to get Jill new fans, including the people going out to buy Norah Jones' new one, to promote other ventures from her Hidden Beach label and to prove that Scott is a versatile artist).

Overall, I'm a little disappointed. The disc has some very nice collaborations, but most of the songs are very laid-back. I was quite bored listening to most of this. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood.

The tracks with Common are great and so is "Daydreamin'." I enjoyed the "Love Rain" remixes, even tohugh one of them was a hidden track on her debut. The real highlight here is "Kingdom Come." (It was on the soundtrack for the film of the same name.) Jill Scott goes gospel with amazing results. And she even skats in the middle! This track alone is worth the purchase.

For added value, the album comes with a bonus sampler of upcoming Hidden Beach artists Keite, Onitsha, Sunny Hawkins, Jeff Bradshaw, Peter Black and Leigh Jones. (I enjoyed it, but I dare say... some of these people just are not distinguished artists. They don't stand out like Ms. Scott). The sample also includes two snippets of Jill's amazing song from the new album, "In Stereo." Jill has re-invented herself once again. There is also a full length recording of Scott performing "The Fact Is (I Need You)" live. It is amazing and takes the song to another level.

I am a Jill Scott fan, so please allow me to speak my mind without the unhelpful votes unless if you really feel that way. I recommend this set for Jill fans only, not for the casual music listener. Although some of it is not that great, it is definitely worth the purchase for ther highlight tracks.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very warm but not quite hot, March 4, 2007

By 

Olukayode Balogun (Leeds, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jill Scott Collaborations (Audio CD)

This collection of duets, triunes and other 'collaborations' is reportedly a prelude, a warm-up if you will, to Jill Scott's album of new material scheduled for release in the summer. I can't wait!

Hardcore Jill fans will probably have most if not all of the songs on here but it's nice to have them all in one place. I love everything the woman does but I can't say I'm a hardcore fan. I was thinking of getting the new George Benson & Al Jarreau CD for instance, not just because I'd heard good things about it (or because of the Grammy win) but also because I knew Jill was featured on it. As it happens, I think their version of "God Bless The Child" is very nice.

But there are a couple of tunes on here I wouldn't ever have gone looking for, like "Said Enough" featuring the Isley Brothers or "Let Me" featuring Sergio Mendes & Will.I.Am and I can hardly hear her at all on "Funky For You", which features Common & Bilal. I was pleasantly surprised by "The Rain" though, the collaboration with Will Smith, and I found myself humming the refrain all day after listening to it just once.

I agree with an earlier reviewer and must say I can't believe they didn't put the live version of "You Got Me" with The Roots on here. It's bad enough that Jill wasn't allowed to sing on the original studio version back in the day, but to not include it here is totally baffling. It's one of Jill's best songs (she wrote the hook, of course) and it is the song that kick started her career after all. I don't get it.

Anyway, the album still showcases Jill's wonderful range, her singing, her beautiful spoken voice and her poetry (I still think poets make the best lyricists: "She's going down to Zanzibar," she tells us on "Slide" featuring Jeff Bradshaw, "Where the drinks are strong and the men are smooth." That one line - my favourite line on the whole CD - paints an attractive picture in my mind all on its own).

I also particularly like her version of "Good Morning Heartache" with Chris Botti but I also strongly recommend the Gladys Knight version on the sountrack of the defunct TV series "New York Undercover". (Ms Scott does it very well but Ms Knight does it much better).

All in all, the album is a great showcase and a great introduction to Jill Scott's work for anyone who hasn't checked her out yet. It only tells half the story though and I'm sure there'll surely be a greatest hits or similar collection coming along soon. In the meantime, roll on summer 2007!

The bonus CD sampler has one new song from Ms Scott, "In Stereo", presumably from her upcoming album. I didn't think much of it but maybe I need to hear more. The CD also has a couple of songs from various Hidden Beach artistes and while they're all undoubtedly talented folk, only a few caught my ear: "God Is On Your Side" by Onitsha, "Love Me Too" & "Crazy" by Sunny Hawkins, "Happy Feelings" & "Wait Around Love" by Jeff Bradshaw and all three songs by Leigh Jones: "Cold In LA", "Who, What Why?" And "Suddenly".

But none quite caught my ear enough to make me want to rush out and go buy. In fact the only song on the bonus CD that I really dug was the live version of Jill Scott's "The Fact Is (I Need You)", recorded in Paris.

Now that made me jump up and down, beaming from ear to ear. Which for me, is what Jill Scott is all about!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW. Collaborations is really the best yet!, January 30, 2007

By 

T. Joiner (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jill Scott Collaborations (Audio CD)

Not only is Jill a phenomenal solo artist, she also does a great job of collabortating with some of the most talented artists out today. If its Jazz im in the mood for, I can turn on "Good Morning Heartache" with Chris Botti, or if its a little hip hop, I can put on "Daydreamin" with Lupe Fiasco or "The Rain" with Will Smith. Any way you slice it, this album is the perfect record to round out my in-car cd selection. Can't wait for her next album!!!