Erykah Badu first came on the scene in 1997 with her debut album 'Baduism' which still ranks as one of the most innovative Neo-Soul albums ever. A new album from Miss Badu always creates a stir in the Soul community, but for an artist of such standing, this album is way off the mark.
When I first read about 'New Amerikah' being a "tribute to the New school Hip-Hop", I was interested to hear the album (although I was dubious too). Sadly, this album completely fails to deliver any strong songs. The greatest pity, is that reading the fly-notes, you get the impression that Erykah has gone on a real voyage of self discovery and of political awakening- her lyrics show real depth of thought, but they are hidden behind needlessly over produced and musically insubstantial tracks. In comparison with earlier albums, particularly 'Baduism', Erykahs vocals lack the colour and polish that they used to have.
The first track Amerykahn Promise with its backdrop of 70's… more »

Erykah Badu first came on the scene in 1997 with her debut album 'Baduism' which still ranks as one of the most innovative Neo-Soul albums ever. A new album from Miss Badu always creates a stir in the Soul community, but for an artist of such standing, this album is way off the mark.
When I first read about 'New Amerikah' being a "tribute to the New school Hip-Hop", I was interested to hear the album (although I was dubious too). Sadly, this album completely fails to deliver any strong songs. The greatest pity, is that reading the fly-notes, you get the impression that Erykah has gone on a real voyage of self discovery and of political awakening- her lyrics show real depth of thought, but they are hidden behind needlessly over produced and musically insubstantial tracks. In comparison with earlier albums, particularly 'Baduism', Erykahs vocals lack the colour and polish that they used to have.
The first track Amerykahn Promise with its backdrop of 70's Blacksploitation-style funk groove is a collage of spoken word with the ironic juxtaposition of the American pledge and insight into the flaws of the U.S. by means of a speech from what sounds like a Manga 'demon'. As an introduction to a political album, this sets the scene successfully.
The Healer, with its scratchy minimalistic samples is thin on the ground musically. Vocally, Erykah also sounds thin here; her trademark jazz nuances seem out of place with such a stripped back track.
Me starts with more promise- a 4-to-the-floor neo-disco groove with latent clap backed by Rhodes laced with lazy guitar motifs and nicely played bass. Erykah's vocal is ruined by a sharp effect that sounds like low-streamed mp3- a bad choice from a production point of view.
This track ends with a chromatic be-bop-esque trumpet solo which Erykah sets to words. Regretably, her tuning and tone are shocking on this- in the world of Jazz where vocalists often do a similar thing with absolute precision, this is embarrasing to listen to!
My People with its glitchy electronic beat and deep sub is again too insubstantial. The vocal are repetitive and out of tune on some of the harmonies.
Soldier is perhaps the stand alone track on the album- possibly the only cut that is remeniscent of the previous albums (Worldwide Underground rather than Baduism or Mammas Gun). The lyrics display strong political views, and are very well penned.
The Cell like the intro uses a bumping funk loop as a backdrop for spoken word about the drug problems of American society. The bassline drives this track nicely, but a lot of the vocals in the verses are lost behind the business of the music.
Twinkle is real New Hip-Hop- overly basic keys over a glitchy choppy beat. The vocals are again hidden (main vocal level is where a 2nd BV should be in volume). Again the lack of harmony is unsatisfying.
Master Teacher has more of the Neo-Soul bump to it with its growling synth bass and soaring string samples, but the vocals are confused, and the levels are all over the place- often BVs cut over the main.
That Hump is one of the only tracks on the album to include some deeper Rhodes/Guitar driven harmony. Erykah immediately sounds more in her element vocally- all the Jazz tinged nuances fit this laid-back groove more successfully.
Telephone is spacial and atmospheric- again on the deeper harmonic Neo Soul tip. This is more in the vein of tracks from Baduism. The vocals are shaky in places, but generally speaking this is a nice track.
Real Thing is far more Hip-Hop than Soul. Horn riffs drive this track with simple climbing string synths.
As an over view, I think New Amerykah is a statement from Erykah Badu- politically and musically. It was a consious choice but not a good one.