Customer Reviews

Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought

5 star:		(229)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I really enjoyed Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek's "Reflection Eternal". This completes the trilogy of Black Star's "Mos Def And Talib Kweli Are Black Star", Mos Def's "Black on Both Sides", and "Reflection Eternal". I can only imagine what Black Star's second album will be like when Mos Def and Talib Kweli join again with the production skills of Hi-Tek. This is one of the few Hip Hop albums you can listen from track one to track twenty without fast forwarding, well, let's make the twenty-one because of the enlightening hidden track "For Women". After "Move Somethin" the album only get more poetic and visual. Talib drops lyrical science you have to almost swear he had to earn a Ph.d. to verbally express the knowledge he delievers. Talib cares more about his underground following rather than selling out and trying to be commerical.

This is not an album about the bling, bling, violence, disrespecting women, etc., this is an album enlightening and uplifting the mind while grooving to some hypnotic beats that helps keep the head noddin'. I love how the album relates at some many levels from Black pride and unity, love for women, and keeping the faith while believing in God, and keeping Him foremost at the front of one's life! Always keep God first in everything you do, and everything you need will soon follow!

There's hit after hit on this album, and when Talib's Black Star partner Mos Def joins him on "This Means You" it brings the power of Black Star, and let's not forget "Down For The Count" when Rah Digga and Xzibit help rock the mic. Cool G Rap, Vinia Mojica, Les Nubians and De La Soul also lend their voices to some powerful tracks that enlighten and entertain. If you're a lover of Hip Hop that enlightens, educates and motivates while leaving the head noddin' to those beats, rhymes and rhythms, then check out "Reflection Eternal". It'll cause you to reflect on life, love and yourself!

You may not think this review should even be considered when i tell you im a 13 year old white kid who usualy listens to classic rock, punk, and metal but if thats what u think, dont read it.

I got this CD becuase a freind suggested it. I was a little wary because i HATE basically all the rap/hip-hop thats on mtv.Lyrics about crunk,and bling are stupid and shallow as hell. But, after gettting this album i realized, not all rap is crap.

WOW-is all i can say, this album is amazing. Talib Kwali has the most amazing rhymes ive ever heard. His lyrics arent just about having bling or being crunk, there about his real life and topics that matter.Oh, and Hi Tek's beats are amazing. I love almost every song on here.

If u like hip jop or rap or are tired of todays rap music or what ever, u MUST get this!!!

True hip hop heads have always known that Talib Kweli is a nice emcee. Still, for most of his career Kweli has been overshadowed by his long-time partner, Mos Def. On thier joint project, "Black Star", Mos Def came off nicer than Kweli, and Mos Def released his solo album a full year before Kweli did the same. However, after listening to "Train of Thought", any doubts about Kweli's ability will be eliminated.

The 21 tracks on this album (including skits) are diverse, ranging from up-tempo bangers to quiet and introspective. The album starts off with a bang with "Move Somethin'", a straight-up bumping horn-influenced track which Kweli absolutely kills. The momentum is kept up with the nice "Some Kind of Wonderful". Subsequently the album mellows out a bit, as Mos Def makes an appearance on the jumpy "This Means You," a feel good track with absolutely unforgettable violin chords. The album abruptly ends the mellow vibe with the funky "Down For The Count" in which Xzibit and Rah Diggah drop some of thier nicest verses to date. Highlights from the second half of the album include "Ghetto Afterlife," (featuring Kool G Rap), "Love Language," and the hidden track "For Women."

DJ Hi-Tek produces the entire album (a rarity in hip hop these days) and doesn't make one wack track. He chooses from a variety of instruments, and gives each track its own unique feel. For example, a tranquil saxaphone plays during the thoughtful "Love Language" whereas bold horns scream on the battle-track "Move Somethin.'" The fact that Hi-Tek is in on every track gives the album a continuity, as no track sounds out of place. From start to finish the album is on a nice organic vibe, and while some tracks are fast and some tracks are slow they all have the same soulful feel to them.

Just as Hi Tek brings the beats, Kweli brings the lyrics. There are jaw dropping punchlines like:

"Your wack set is faker than a bomb threat By a nervous terrorist who's so scared that his palms sweat"

from "Down For The Count." There are also poetic, thoughtful lines such as:

"She lived from n***** to colored to negro to black To afro then african-american and right back to n***** You figure she'd be bitter in the twilight But she alright, cuz she done seen the circle of life yo"

from "For Women" that will continue to resound in your mind long after you've stopped listening.

Overall this album shows us what hip hop can be. Although there are up-tempo battle tracks, there's no mindlessly materialistic braggadocio to be found here. Rather, this is music which analyzes life and gives us Kweli's unique take on things. It's almost like a one-sided conversation in which Kweli talks to us and tells us about himself and about what he thinks. He often proves insightful and provokative. For instance, on "Too Late" he ponders:

Nowadays rap artists coming halfhearted Commercial like pop, or underground like black markets Where were you when hiphop died? Is it too early to mourn? Is it too late to ride?

A thoughtful collection tracks such as "Train of Thought" is rarely found in hip hop these days and Kweli rightfully assumes his place among this era's top emcees with this release. This album is easily one of the best of the year and should be purchased by anyone who likes to think hip hop, or simply anyone who likes to think.

Here's a funny story
I was in school today, and i was listening to this album. I was listening to the great last song, when my friend spots me and asks if he can see what i was listening to. I show him that it was Talib Kweli. His first words "who's that?"
I say, he's a really good rapper, u might like him. He asks to listen, and i let him. After 5-10 seconds he shrugs it off and chuckles. "thats not really good". Actually, you have no taste I tell him. "yeah i do" he assures me. "who's your favorite rapper?" "50 Cent and G-unit."
Point made.
That just shows you that people nowadays dont care about substance, or skill. Talib Kweli's music has a ton of substance to it. He also has amazing lyrics, and great metaphors that come so quickly and work so well with every beat. And Hi-Tek's beats are all amazing But i guess that kind of skill doesn't matter. He doesn't talk violently, and he doesnt have repetitive beats to go with his songs, or weak lyrics but catchy hooks made to sell albums. But then again, it seems that great hip hop is no longer appreciated. not many people are listening to old school rap, 90s rap like 2pac and biggie, or todays stuff, like nas and talib kweli. They only like 50, and he is the definition of good hip hop. Please, if you are fed up with 50's voice on the radio, buy this album, and support a really great modern rapper.

Reflection Eternal's Train of Thought is a masterpiece of musical artwork. Kweli and Hi-Tek go against the grain of todays commercial, champagne, superficial rappers and take you on a thought provoking journey. Underground smash "Move Something" demonstrates Kweli's top notch flow. "Love Language" featuring Les Nubians an ode to love is phat. Story telling skills are key for any emcee and Kweli proves he's got them in the albums final cut, "For Women." He vivdly describes the lives of different women represented in the world today. "Down for The Count" a song featuring X-to-the-Z and Rah Digga is the mnost commercial this album gets, the track's bangin! Overall, Hi-Tek and Kweli have created a work of art. This album is for anyone who wishes to have substance filling their musical appettite. No image based "bling blinging" it's all about the Love for the music and respect for the art called hip hop. One of the best albums I have ever heard. Even the carefully written lyrics by Kweli are on display inside of the album sleeve so you can actually physically read his insightful lyrics. Anyone with a brain and a beating heart should cop this disc. For real. Kweli puts the "kwalee" in quality. Don't get the new Limp Biscuit or any of that other garbage get this it will expand your mind and taste in the quest to hear real hip hop. According to Kweli "if you can talk you can sing, if you can walk you can dance." This album is too hot to touch.

If you are a fan (real hip hop fan) of ATCQ, The Roots, BEP, Common, Mos buy this album! Dj Hi-Tek is one of the best producers out now showing his skill and versatility on this album, yes i've heard everything he's done even the stuff with Mood and Rawkus, and Talib Kweli is one of the best MC's to come out in years (all day ill metaphors and similies). He's one of my top 5 right now. DJ Hi-Tek also produced the WHOLE album! I've have a full promo of the album for about a month now and its still the first cd in my cd changer, but that will change soon when i get the real album. Head noddin, straight MC spittin songs include "eternalists" (if you like any of the songs from the hiphop masterpeice "Illmatic" you will feel right at home) "move something", "too late" & "soul rebels". Other classic cuts include "the Blast" (it hit me like one when i first heard it), "Love Language" (a beautiful track with Les Nubians singing the hook in french, Kweli spittin lovely about love). I love this cd, its up there with illmatic , things fall apart, and black on both sides. Get on the train and get away from the bling bling.

How sad is it that Ja Rule (who steals his style from Tupac and his growl from DMX) has the number one album on the charts right now, when an LP like this gets no Billboard love? It's refreshing to hear an honest, insightful voice in rap speak intelligently, and Hi Tek has given Kweli excellent background music. While OutKast remain the best duo in hip hop history, Black Star was amazing, and their album, if you don't have it, is worth picking up immediately. Back to Talib; this is true hip hop, ya'll, and it's money well spent. One of the top albums of the year thus far, and I would list tracks, but they're all damn good. Enjoy

this is for true hip hop heads, you know? but it's also just plain good music. this is the kind of music that should top the charts, the kind of stuff that enlightens, educates, AND entertains. kweli showcases his amazing range of topical ability on this lp, from fierce battle rhymes to pensive social commentary. and dj hi-tek does the impossible, delivering an album without a single wack beat... really... don't believe me... listen to it... the track list is way too long to go into real detail... for me, the best song is "for women" hands down... kweli manages to evoke emotion while staying away from the trite lyricism you'd think would be necessary for such a moving song. the cut with mos def and kweli as black star is, of course, light years past any other duo (with the possible exception of outkast)... i want to say so much about this album... but there's way too many things to talk about... buy it... listen... enjoy it for yourself...

You can argue that Talib Kweli & DJ Hi Teck are the best emcee and DJ duo since Pete Rock & CL Smooth. When I first discovered them was when I was at home listening to the Music Choice Rap Channel, when the song "This Means You" popped on. That song alone wanted me to go and get that album, because of it's excellent wordplay by Kweli and Mos Def, with the production of Hi Teck.

There is not much I can say that already hasn't been said, seeing the average rating is at it's max. As I mentioned before, Kweli's rhymes are superior to hear. Being as young as I was at the time this dropped (around 14 or 15), trust me, I've never heard someone rhyme like that before. A perfect example where Kweli runs free on the mic is the song "Some Kind Of Wonderful". Another track that stood out was "The Blast" where even Hi Teck spits a verse that is also dope (the video had Talib doing two verses, but that is not on here. I'm kinda mad, since this is reissued).

Guest appearances are dope as well. My favorite would be Xzibit and Rah Digga popping up for the song "Down For The Count". Another would be the De La Soul contributed verses in "Soul Rebels". Production is also excellent by Hi Teck. Some of the song here are kind of laid back to listen to, but you can easily catch a vibe towards them.

"Reflection Eternal" (or "Train Of Thought" to some people) is one album that I can enjoy on many levels again and again. I remember listening to this album back in high school, and only a hand full of people knew who these guys were. If you ever get a chance, pick this us. The production on here is soothing and can clear your mind. If you are not familiar with Kweli, you might want to check out "Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star". I just found out Hi Teck was in a group called Mood back in '97 and will listen to that as well. Arguably one of the best that came out of Rawkus. Word up.

Lyrics: A+
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: A+
Musical Vibes: A+
Overall: A+

Favorite Tracks: Move Somethin', Some Kind Of Wonderful, The Blast, This Means You, Memories Live, African Dream, Down For The Count, Name Of The Game, On My Way, Love Language, Soul Rebels, Touch You, For Women (Bonus Track)

Honorable Mention: Good Morning

Peace Everyone!!!

this cd is great, so use the 5 star overall ranking as indication of its greatness. Hi Tek makes dope beats, and Kweli spits unbelievable lyrics song after song. Unfortunately, people like Robin J. Cantone have to say that it "is not very good", and "kweli does not have a good voice for rap" Ok, what is that supposed to mean? I think that he has a great voice for rap. He also does not just have amazing lyrics, but also a great flow to deliver them to perfection. O yeah, and if you say that Dilated Peoples says that rappers should write a book if they don't have a voice it nonsense. In case you are too stupid to realize it, Dilated Peoples is great friends with Kweli and has done many projects with him, so I doubt he was talking about Kweli when he said this. Oh, and another thing, you complain that Kweli is not conscious enough? You gave "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" 5 stars once, and 4 stars a second time! If you say Kweli isn't conscious enough and that is why this cd sucks, then how is 50 (one of the least conscious rappers I have ever heard) any better? Exactly, he is much worse. Kweli speaks about emotions that everyone can relate to and he does it eloquently, so whats wrong with this cd? I say nothing at all. O yeah, and you say it is too long, but i find this is one of those cds that i never skip songs on. So this has quality AND quantity, so how is this a bad thing? If the songs are all classics, then why should there be less songs? And you say that dead prez is better than Kweli? They may talk about more political things than Kweli, but they have much worse flow, and their lyrics are decent at best, whereas Kweli's are among the best of all time. You cannot say that a political message is the only thing that matters in a cd, because it is not. All right, now back to the cd, it is great, dont hesitate to buy it because someone like that says that the cd is trash. If i had listened to someone like him, I would not have had such an incredible time with this classic cd that i have. There will always be people who disrespect things that you like, and if you listened to these people, then you would have a very short list of things you can enjoy...o and by the way...im not a kid, i just do not have an amazon account. And one last thing, if i spent this much time writing about one of the few naysayers of this album, then imagine how much it must mean to me. And how much it will mean to you if you give it the chance...its cheap, get this asap!