The Light Of The Sun

Jill Scott | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 21, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blues Babe Records
• ASIN: B004Y1QPXM
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (170 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,142 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Executive produced by Jill Scott and J.R Hutson (Pharell, Faith Evans), The Light Of The Sun features appearances by rappers Paul Wall, Doug E. Fresh, and Eve and traverses the rocky terrain of love, longing and loss. The first single, "So in Love," is a duet with Anthony Hamilton. When Scott first heard the record, a soul-filled melody that evokes the legendary pairing of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, she was moved to tears.

"This music came about in a very organic way," says Scott reflecting on the free-style jam sessions that resulted in the creation of The Light Of the Sun. "I've enjoyed the recording process more that I ever have before."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 59 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect summer block party soundtrack June 21, 2011

By Nse Ette TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Since releasing 2007s "The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3", Jill Scott has become a mother, lost a lot of weight, and also fought a bitter battle to get released from her record contract with Hidden Beach.

"The Light Of The Sun" is her debut on Warner Brothers Records and it's a free and easy jam session-style affair. "Blessings" opens the album with Scott telling us in song and spoken word of all she's thankful for: her son, her grandmother who almost lived to see 92, even her son's father. The song sounds like it fell off of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" album, absolutely beautiful!

The CD is frontloaded with the most upbeat songs. "So In Love" features Anthony Hamilton and is a bouncy summery almost Disco affair. "Shame" is retro Funk with interesting drum patterns and horns and reminds me of "Gimme" from her live CD. It features Eve & the A Group.

The playful "All Cried Out Redux" finds Scott singing to Doug E. Fresh's beatbox effects before the entrance of some Dixieland sounds. "Le BOOM Vent Suite" is a 9 minute piece with the first three and a half minutes sunny and upbeat before segueing into a slower groovy ballad second half.

From here out, the pace slows down "So Gone (What My Mind Says)" is a steamy ballad featuring rapper Paul Wall. "Hear My Call" is a spare piano/string affair. "Some Other Time" is groovy with skittery beats and spoken word. "Quick" is Jazzy with big bass and light percussion.

"Making You Wait" finds her telling her man she is making him wait five dates to find out if he's true. "Until Then (I Imagine)" features sprinklings of piano, "Missing You" is a dreamy ballad with soft guitar sounds, "When I Wake Up" continues that Gaye vibe. "Womanifesto" is spoken word set to an a capella backdrop. Closing is the Jazzy "Rolling Hills".

Scott's 2011 tour is titled "Jill Scott's Summer Block Party Tour". This should be the perfect soundtrack.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Listen June 24, 2011

By Ali

Format:Audio CD

I wouldn't call this the same Jill that I've heard 10 years ago as a teen, but that's okay. I feel what Jill is trying to go for in all of these songs. Some of them, I don't agree with, like "So Gone" with Paul Wall, but I think I get what she was going for. That misstep aside, when Jill lays it down, she does it big, as displayed even on the opener, "Blessed." It's every person's morning "uplifter" if you need it, and it doesn't really tone all that down until the second movement of "BOOM."

Special kudos to her for going upbeat or in jam vein on a good number of these tracks. You can tell that she really enjoyed the recording process this time around (some ad libs are left in, especially on the title track), even if not all the tracks sit well with everyone.

My personal favorite, well I have a special place in my heart for longer than normal songs that have movements (in the vein of "Love Rain (Suite)" which clocked in at 12:30 WAY back in '01 on the live album), so the "Le BOOM Vent Suite" takes me every single time. Then get past "So Gone," and you have a wonderful ballad in "Hear My Call," which is going to be blessing my ears as much as "BOOM" soon. Oh, and perfect sequencing in placing this heavenly song after what I called the "misstep," it makes the album rebound so greatly in my eyes.

This is a cool record. It's a cool Jill Scott, and I think she's earned the new feel, if you will, she shows on this album. It'll take a few more listens for me to get a song, or decide I don't like it. But the fact that I want to try to is worth it.

P.S. I bought the iTunes Deluxe version, and the last track, "I Love You," is BANGING, by the way. I wish she included it on the regular version instead of So Gone or Missing You.

31 of 36 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Thankful either way. June 24, 2011

By Katie Ward

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a bit torn on this record. I LOVE some of the songs, the ones that have the deep meaningful lyrics backed up by her powerful voice. But other songs disappoint, the ones that have some cheesy rapper making the song sound cheap and over-produced.

Why do some R&B/Soul singers feel the need to incorporate the increasingly meaningless genre of rap into their music (don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of hip-hop and rap but I do feel it is to the point where style greatly overshadows substance). Paul Wall sounds the same no matter if he is talking about love or how to cook a grilled cheese sandwich. I feel like Eve is also a one-trick pony when it comes to her rap game. I would gather that most of her listeners are mature and don't fall into the over-extended hype of names like that. She is so unbelievably versatile and I simply wish she would have done without them.

The one collaboration that I do love is with Anthony Hamilton (although he is not one of my favorites), the song is uplifting and makes you want to celebrate your loved one. Overall, I love Jill's music and will always be a fan. She is a rarity in music today -- she can completely envelop you with a story that takes over your imagination and you get lost in emotion (like Hear My Call).

One of my favorite lines so far after a few days of listening:

"Clearly, I am not a fat @[]...I am active brain!" LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Either way it goes, I'm grateful she came out with another CD. Thank you, Jill!