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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fitting return for a hip hop legend, October 31, 2006
As a longtime Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth fan, I was elated in mid-2005 to learn that C.L. had inked a recording deal with Shaman Work Records, and that soon he would be releasing new music. Finally, the product, "American Me", has been released, and I am very satisfied. I always wished C.L. Smooth would begin a solo career, and finally he has dropped his first release since 1994's "The Main Ingredient". It is really interesting to hear C.L. for the first time in twelve years (outside of a few guest spots), and it is clear that he has changed as both a man and an MC. Whereas twelve years ago, you'd never hear him refer to himself as a "thug" or "pimp", he does it here, but it's not in an unbelievable way. As the title suggests, some of this album is fairly political, and he expresses his concern over the current government and the terrorist attacks and his feelings on being an American. Although his religious influences are for the most part notably absent, he makes some love songs like he did back in the day. The production is surprisingly great for an independent release and suits C.L. quite well. The substitute Pete Rocks fit him with production heavy with instrumentals and samples, good hooks and nostalgic beats suitable to the lyrics. Overall I'm really impressed with "American Me" and hope C.L. will return to the studio and continue to release music.
The intro opens the album with a few bars explaining the premise of the album. This gives way to the title track, which has a great hook and great production, and C.L. delivers a politically fueled couple of verses. "I Can't Help It" has a horn-driven, nostalgic beat and lyrics discussing the man Corey Penn has become. "Call on Me" is a light love song, I found it pretty enjoyable. I really loved "C.L. Smooth Unplugged", it was definitely a highlight for me. It has gorgeous, vibesy production and C.L. raps verses and a hook to create an awesome late-night hip hop song. "Warm Outside" is an upbeat summertime anthem. "Gorilla Pimpin'" is the most unexpected offering on this album for me. I never expected to hear C.L. Smooth referring to himself through pimping endeavors like so many other rappers, it was kind of disconcerting at first but I think I may come around to this track. "The Impossible" is driven by a hard beat and rock guitar, it's a tough sounding track. Former partner-in-crime Pete Rock produced "It's a Love Thing", which was originally released on his 2004 album "Soul Survivor II". It's an awesome slow song, it has an awesome beat and C.L. makes it a really convincing love song. I really love "Smoke in the Air", which has a great beat utilizing the same heavy horn sample that Mobb Deep used for "Smoke It". C.L. comes correct with some hard verses, it's a really impressive song in a lot of ways. "The Stroll" is a pretty laidback song where C.L. reminisces of days past with a lady, not a bad song but probably skippable. On the outro, he uses an awesome, fast delivery, and it's actually one of the most impressive songs on the album, I like the deep voice in the chorus. The two bonus songs are actually among my favorites on the album. "All We Ever Know" is about struggling in the urban environment of Mount Vernon, and the hard strings and bass give it a tough edge. "Heaven Is Watching You" is a heartfelt, well produced song with a nice chorus, it's the only spiritually fueled song on the album.
I really liked "American Me" and am finally satisfied that one of my favorite rappers has found it right to return to the rap game. This album is really pleasing and I think fans of C.L.'s past work will really like it. He definitely put a lot into this album and it shines on a lot of levels. I hope this album is recognized for its quality. I highly recommend it and will excitedly await more music as C.L.'s return continues.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure Genius......The Mecca Don Is Back, January 26, 2007
I'll be the first to admit that Mecca & The Soul Brother was the only thing in my walkman during my sophomore of high school and after The Main Ingredient, I was one of those who were broken hearted by the split of CL and Pete Rock....however, this return by CL Smooth was well worth the wait. American Me has classic written all over it. The first track "American Me" is a hard hitting-in your face-bass thumping track...but once track 4 hit.."Call On Me"...I was sold....I have to steal a comment from another reviewer on this one...."It is reminiscent to "Lots Of Love" from Mecca & The Soul Brother with a beautiful chorus lacing CL's smoothed out flow. Of course, the Pete Rock produced "It's A Love Thing" is a perfect reunion for Mount Vernon's finest producer/MC duo. Personally, there isn't one flaw on this album. Classic in my book.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
American Me...The Return of the Mecca Don., January 17, 2007
All I can say is...about time. We've waited years for a return of CL's crisp, smooth flow and it was worth the wait. After hearing the new songs he was doing with Pete Rock over the last few years and his few guest shots on afew cats albums I was eagerly awaiting this. It starts off very strongly and remains at a consistent level through-out. With a freestyled one verse intro to a anthemic beat we're introduced again to the Mecca Don's offical return. After that he really heats it up with "American Me" and "I Can't Help It". 2 of the stronger cuts on show here, where CL tears 2 bone crushing beats backed by crisp snares and horns. Really hard rhymes from CL here, as he says afew times on the album, he's "back harder than ever" and its evident here. With "Call on Me" he returns to his laidback, mellow vibe with a song similar to "lots of love" from "mecca+the soul brother" where he shouts out his family and loved ones over a beautifully lush and jazzy arrangement. After the "Black Heart Radio Interlude" he picks up where he left off and rhymes like a seasoned veteran that he is over a smooth beat on "CL Smooth Unplugged". "Warm Outside" is that good old fashioned summer feel song, which makes sense since CL recorded alot of this album during the '06 summer. "Terrorism Interlude" gives CL a chance to spit something abit more serious and he does just that with a one versed rhyme about the scares alot of countries (the U.S. in particular) now have to face. Then comes "Gorilla Pimpin", who ever thought you'd hear CL SMOOTH refer to himself as a pimp, but it happens here+he pulls it off without sounding dated or played out. Next we have the rock influenced "Impossible". Another high moment on this album for the Mecca Don. Awesome!!! "It's a Love Thing" is the solitary Pete Rock produced track on here and it really stands out, not just because it was previously released on Pete's "Soul Survivor 2". "Smoke in the Air" to me is the standout cut, the anthem if you will to herald the great man's return from his hiatus. Out-standing!!!! After the brief "Travel Sometime Interlude" we get the one weak-ish track in comparison to the others in my book, "The Stroll" and yet its still tighter than alot of other artists best s*it at the moment. Next up is the "American Me Outro" where CL spits another one versed joint to close proceedings nicely and duely reminds them that the album isnt over just yet. The album finishes on a strong note with 2 tight joints "All We Ever Know" and "Heaven Is Watching You". One thing that will stick out to alot of heads, myself included was the high standard of production and the fact he didnt over compensate quality for quantity by doing 16 tracks or more. He kept it at 12 official tracks of very high quality. Mike Loe who produced the entire "Smoke+Mirrors" album by O.C. is all over this providing 7 beats (5 tracks plus 2 of the interludes), Rsonist from the Heatmakerz does 3 with Kaygee providing afew plus the Pete Rock joint. Although I did find 1 or 2 tracks a little average overall I think its a brilliant return from a master that the hiphop game really needed right now.
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