Kamaal the Abstract

Q-Tip | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 15, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Battery
• ASIN: B002FA150M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,824 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2009 release from the acclaimed rapper and former member of A Tribe Called Quest. This long-delayed album, slated originally for release in 2001, is finally dropping! A musical hybrid, Kamaal was commendably avant-garde at the time of its creation. Amazingly, it's even more apropos in 2009; given the dearth of musical merit and capable MCs in today's Hip Hop, the time is ever-so-right for Tip. Kamaal the Abstract is an intensely idiosyncratic and revealing record. To that end, Q-Tip produced the entire album himself, even playing several instruments. What comes from Kamaal is daring m‚lange of Soul, supa-cool Jazz, head-nodding Hip Hop, and organic Pop magic in the vein of Stevie Wonder or Prince.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 40 somethings still enjoy hip hop....., September 16, 2009

By 

private_twist "privatetwist" (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kamaal the Abstract (Audio CD)

ATCQ bought that jazz vibe. For those who were in their early 20's, Tribe was a perfection transition from rap to more grown up music. Admist the New Jack Swing and Chicago House stuff you had the conscious MCs. Great stuff! We can enjoy a few rap songs (and I'm saying rap as not in real hip hop)here and there but I always go back to Q. He's grown up too and he has realized his growth and wants to share it with the grown up world. To Q I say thank you. I still love the lyrical but I need it to make sense to me as a 40 yr woman.
This cd is perfect for me. Contemp and a lil traditional jazz, neo, funk and rhyming. The formula is just right. I give it 5 stars because it will be awhile before anyone else comes out that I can groove to at work.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to Kamaal's Jook Joint, September 16, 2009

By 

Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Kamaal the Abstract (Audio CD)

Q-Tip's third album "Kamaal the abstract" was originally intended to be released as his second album in 2001, but was shelved by the record company over doubts about it's commercial viability. It finally gets released some 8 years later and finds Q-Tip twiddling production keys as well as playing some instruments.

The feel is Jazz/Funk a la Stevie Wonder or even Prince (especially on the Funk/Rock-laced "Heels" and on the guitar driven "Barely in love" with chunky/clunky percussion and hand claps), and finds Q-Tip doing more singing than rapping. Featuring no samples but live instrumentation, the presence of jazz legends Kenny Garrett, Gary Thomas and Kirk Rosenwinkel adds to the loose Jazzy feel.

The album comprises just 10 tracks and every thing stands out really, with variety. For lovers of Hip Hop, there's sing-song rapping on the horn/piano sprinkled "Abstractionisms" and "Do you dig u?" (lilting harmonies and funky rhodes) both set to a languid Neo-Soul sound with an incredibly groovy bassline, the melancholic piano ballad "Caring" features soothing female vocals/harmonies, while songs like "A million times" or "Even if it is so" (with a brilliant sax solo) wouldn't sound out of place on a D'Angelo or Erykah Badu CD.

This album is only "uncommercial" as compared to the uninspired clones being spit out of the musical conveyor belt, it will hardly get any airplay. Don't let that fool you though, this is music at it's finest, and I'm glad Q-Tip insisted on getting it finally released. An album you really should own.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent CD, September 15, 2009

By 

Anthony Richards "Richie Rich" (Wash DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kamaal the Abstract (Audio CD)

what can I say Q-Tip always puts out music that is always good and what one would not here other rappers put out, and is no exception on this cd which is ot standing from the time you push play and here the first selection(Feelin) till the end of the cd you will just be dancing and moving along to his groove...I advise anyone to buy this cd, for it is one of Q-Tips best!!!!!!!!!!excellent