Customer Reviews

Preachers Son (Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD)

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Wyclef Jean's fourth solo album is "The Preacher's Son" (2003). First track I heard off this was "Industry" two months ago, when the video for it was being played, this track really impressed me, I liked how Wyclef dedicated it to everyone who loves Hip Hop, and remembered rappers, singers and the Princess who have died while talking about some of the current issues/events that have gone on, and are going on in Hip Hop. I also like the memorable chorus Wyclef sings on this one. Another single is going to be the party track "Party to Damascus" feat. Missy Elliot, fairly sure this is going to be one to blow up on the radio. "Celebrate" is my favorite track at the moment, Patti Labelle's appearance is excellent, making this a very memorable collabration and props to Wyclef for giving up and coming rapper Cassidy an appearance. "Baby Daddy" feat. Redman is about trying to be a father to another man's son, which is followed up by "Three Nights In Rio" feat. Carlos Santana. Another real standout for me is the deep "Class Reunion", Wyclef and Monica singing duet is soulful and impressive. Clef experiments with his vocal tones on the slow "Baby", and then the pace picks up "I am Your Doctor" feat. Wayne Wonder & Elephant Man a track for the ladies, while "Linda" is about a woman on the warpath. Wyclef seems a happy man on tracks like the love ballad "Take Me as I am" and comes real on "Grateful". Scarface and Rah Digga drop in for "Next Generation" another memorable collabration. "Rebel Music" is decent though I would of liked to see a longer appearance from Prodigy of Mobb Deep. Buja Banton drops in for next two tracks, which are followed up by the remix closer. Of these three the reggae based "Who Gave the Order" stands out the most. "The Preacher's Son", is one of those chilled out albums full of diverse and refreshing music, that a wide variety of people who listen to different music genres can enjoy. Recommend this one for the collection.

After being a long time hip hop head, I have to admit that I had never actually bought a cd by Clef before...but I decided to check this one out...I was blown away. This cd is everything that Steve Harvey says it is on the albums intro, and MORE. Clef stays true to his hip hop self (Industry, Party To Damascus, Baby Daddy etc). but then ventures into different genres. Check out "Baby", a classic soulful R&B joint, or "Three Nights in Rio" with Carlos Santana. Two standout tracks are "Linda" and "Take Me As I Am". Both songs will stay in your head all day. After hearing the songs for the first time, I was singing along with the whole cd. Every song you just need to sing along. I'm definately coppin' his first 3 cd's now. This along with Andre 3000's THE LOVE BELOW are by far cd's of the year. Believe dat...

After dropping one near classic ("The Carnival") and one over looked jewel ("Ecleftic"), why Clef seemed tentative and often uninspired on last year's "Masquerade". It felt as if Clef was stifled by weight of his own reputation for innovation and genre bending.
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 inbetween 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 consistantly 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 Caribean 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 resiliancey.
While not quite the aural feast of Carnival, The Preacher's Son is better written and conceived than Masquerade, and more cohesive than Ecleftic. Over all, a solid effort.

Wyclef Jean has done it again. He has chosen fantastic guests to help him on his new album (Respect, Cassidy, Scarface, Elephant Man, Buju Banton...). Wyclef Jean helps me out every time if I don't know what to listen, he makes you discovering Hip Hop, Soul, Reggae and Dancehall again and again. From the partycrasher Party 2 Damascus to Baby for regular chillin'. Wyclef Jean stays again my most important artist in my cd collection. Just keep it comin' 'Clef! Respect.
(I'm sorry if my english isn't perfect)
Peace

The preachers son by the underrated Wyclef is one of his best albums to date, it shows how his musical ability has improved over the years. Wyclefs ability to create music with everyone from Whitney Houston to Carlos Santana is reflected on this album with musical styles from R&B to Regaee. There are tracks for everyone on this album. If you`re into Rap you would favour the track 'Party to Damascus with Missy Elliot were Missy raps over a fantastic guitar riff and sings the chorous, with clef singing the verses , in the remix Clef raps the verses. Other raps come from Redman on 'Baby Daddy' Cassidy on 'Celebrate' Scarface & Rah Digga on 'Next Generation' and Prodigy of Mobb Deep on 'Rebel Music'. 'Industry' has Clef rap 'black on black crime needs to stop you can'nt blame it on hip hop' as he reflects on the negativity in the industry. R&B comes from 'Class Reunion' feat Monica and 'Take me as I am' feat Sharissa and 'Linda'feat Carl Restivo. 'Baby' is a soul song with a Marvin Gaye style sound. Patti La Belle sings and Cassidy raps on 'Celebrate'. For the regaee fans there is 'I am your doctor' feat Wayne Wonder & Elephant Man, 'Who gave the order' feat Buju Banton and 'Party by the sea' feat Buju Banton & T-Vice.
Overall, I feel that this is one of the best albums of the year and although it was released too late to get nominated for a grammy in February it should be nominated the following year.
Wyclef fan or not you need to get this album.

Wyclef hits us off in the '03 with another Lp this time as the Preachers Son. His last Lp wasent that good but for the most part all his other cds have been hot. This cd continues the hot trend by keeping it moving with the hot new single "Party to Damascus" with missy. The song's name sounded cool to me but when I heard wyclef explain the true meaning it was even better with more meaning. Saying that its more a message since damascus is in the middle east ...its more a message that we should be partying over seas instead of fighting at war. Now unto the cd.....whats good?

*Party to Damacus
*Industry
*Baby Daddy -- Hot collabo with redman
*Celebrate -- Hot single with patti labelle
*Class Reunion
*I am your doctor
*Next generation
*Who gave the order
*Rebel Music -- Hot beat
*Party to Damascus (remix) -- Just about the same as the original

Overall in my opinion these are the hottest tracks right here. Lyrically wyclef killed it giving his political views on different subjects as usual while keeping it fun and show his musical versatility by doing hip-hop/reggae/soca/rap/R+B/latin to cover a wide range of tastes. When you look at all his cd's though, he always has covered different styles of music....never sticking to one genere or format. Any fan of wyclef definetly has to get this....non-fans might seriously want to consider this album. Easily 5 stars here: good music + good lyrics = Hot Album.

Get it!

I have to say that the CD is average compared to "the carnaval", my favorite Wycleff cd but the DVD is AWESOME !!!!!!! If you like reggae, get that one... Wycleff and his mates are playing live acoustic reggae in the studio and the quality of the recording is VERY good...

It's very hard to find positive hip hop. Many artists are more concerend with selling records, than being creative, inspiring, and original. I have always been a fan of Wyclef. But this CD has topped anything he has ever done. He has brilinlty incorporated many cultures, and generations. There isnt a single track that I dislike. This album really eximplifies how he has matured and become wiser. I love the lyrics, and the message it portrays. Music is a very powerful tool. And Mr. Jean has done great things with his. I would reccomend this album to the young and old; rich and poor; thug and scholar. He reaches everyone.

I love this cd so much. The DVD has acustic versions of some songs ( class reunion is my favorite ) and also includes a track called Shotta. I will be buying 5 more copies of this CD and DVD for my best freinds and brother and sister for Christmas. I hope they will release a cd version of the DVD stuff. All of my thanx to Wyclef and the gang for their Wonderful work.

Wyclef Jean seems to have matured since his past albums (both solo and with Fugees) to realize that an album doesn't have to be loud, flashy to reach out to the listener. At first glance, the song listing with the wall-to-wall guest artists makes one almost cringe, thinking here's some rap or R&B album piled to the gills with guest singers/rappers, which usually means low quality. But songs like "Next Generation," which features rappers Scarface and Rah Digga, aren't just tossed-out beer cans -- the rhymes/rapping actually fit in with the song's feel, and don't come across as the jarring, as rap does on most R&B songs. But "Preacher's Son" is arguably Wyclef's most consistent album. While there are no standout tracks, what's here are 14 tracks of a low-key nature that appeal to an older audience (there's no "It Doesn't Matter" among them). Those seeking superficial, radio-style songs should look elsewhere. While the album does have all the familiar Wyclef trademark sounds, they have been delivered in a more warm-toned, mature manner. Previously, his influences were far too obvious, and while he still does go for the Bob Marley-style reggae intonations, even they are toned down.
The album's only missteps are two: The two versions of "Party to Damascus" which both feature Missy Elliot. On these two sore thumbs, Wyclef caters to mainstream audiences, but the songs' commercial/mainstream formulaic nature don't fit with the rest of the album. Without them, the album's a 4-star. But as it is, the album is a solid 3.