MusicBoxer.com

So there I was in Phoenix, standing in a club at midnight and sweating my balls off. Why was I there? Well I’m glad you asked. I was there to see Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek, touring under the name of Reflection Eternal and supporting the newly released album Revolutions Per Minute. Now, aside from it being nearly 150 degrees in the club and the fact that there were five opening acts, I was a bit wary about the show because I didn’t really know anything from Reflection Eternal. Sure I have several albums by both Kweli and Hi-Tek, but I didn’t have their first album together, called Reflection Eternal, and I had yet to pick up the new album. What I’m saying is I didn’t know the catalog, and apparently I was one of the few in the crowd that didn’t. In the end, aside from the heat and the numerous shitty opening acts, the show was good and I was able to pick up the album the next day.

Revolutions Per Minute is a great album. There is not a bad song on the disc. I don’t know if it’s more of an influence by Hi-Tek, but this album is a lot mellower than any of Kweli’s pervious albums. That’s not saying that he doesn’t let lose on a couple of tracks, the beats and the rhymes are just a bit slower than normal. This works though. Hi-Tek’s beats combined with Kweli’s raps, and a number of guest stars, make for a highly entertaining album.

Contrary to popular belief, the best song on the album is “Midnight Hour” featuring Estelle. It’s one of the few really high tempo songs on the album only with a musical feel from the 50s. Kweli’s vocals fit perfectly with the beat, making an all around good song. Like I said before though, there isn’t a song on this album that I would ever skip. Each song is just as good as the last. Take your pick on which song will be your favorite.

Do yourself a favor and buy this album. As far as rap albums go, it doesn’t get much better than this. I would dare say that this is the best rap album to come out in a loooooong time.