Reflection Eternal [PA]

Performer: Talib Kweli
Artist: De La Soul; Res; Vinia Mojica; Kool G. Rap; Xzibit; Mos Def; Rah Digga; Teodross Avery; Weldon Irvine; Les Nubians; Piakhan; Supa Dave West
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Talib Kweli, Hi-Tek (rap vocals); Dave Chapelle, Lennox Lewis, Gil Scott-Heron (spoken vocals): Jeff Davidson (guitar); Owen Brown (fiddle); Teodross Avery (saxophone); Derrick Gardner (trumpet); Weldon Irvine (keyboards); Bassi Kolo Percussion Group (percussion); Chris Crossfader (DJ); Donte, Nonye, Big Del, Kendra Ross, Tiye Phoenix, Monique Walker, Imani Uzuri, Tiyi Willingham, Neb Luv, Little Tone, Darcel Katushig (background vocals). Producers: Hi Tek, Talib Kweli, Weldon Irvine, Dave Dar. Engineers: Troy Hightower, Guy Snider, Dave Dar. After releasing a handful of essential 12"s on various Rawkus Records projects in the late '90s, Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek were on the verge of becoming one of hip-hop's best-kept secrets. Yet their original incarnation as a duo expanded into a triumvirate with the inclusion of Mos Def and transformed their eventual manifestation into Black Star, thwarting their initial bid for acclaim. While Kweli's stardom may have been initially eclipsed by his more charismatic cohort, Mos Def, Reflection Eternal houses enough merit to establish Talib as one of this generation's most poetic MCs. Kweli is a rare MC, as his lyricism resounds with a knowledge that transcends his still tender age. He does not aspire to reprogram the masses with this album, just rehabilitate them, as he laments on "The Blast": "They ask me what I'm writing for/I'm writing to show you what we fighting for." In an effort to celebrate life, Kweli breaks down hip-hop's obsession with death on "Good Mourning" and "Too Late." But it is his varied lyrical content that is most inspiring, effortlessly transitioning from the poignant circle-of-life epic "For Women" to the rugged "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Down for the Count," featuring Rah Digga and Xzibit. While the unassuming, largely minimalist grooves that Hi-Tek supplied on Black Star's debut longed for a dramatic flair, he displays a remarkable maturation on Reflection Eternal. In fact, Tek's loping keyboard wails, soulful staccato claps, and shimmering piano loops are often sublime in their arrangement and outcome. Though Kweli and Hi-Tek's debut harbors over-ambitious tendencies, clocking in at over 70 minutes in length, they are a duo that will undoubtedly stain their memory into hip-hop's collective memory with this noteworthy debut. Welcome to the new generation of Native Tongue speaking. ~ Matt Conaway With a back-to-the-streets, grassroots approach, rapper Talib Kwali and producer Hi-Tek have constructed a simple, pure hip-hop album. Their formula is simple: hot banging beats with novel samples, combined with slick, stylish street corner rhymes. Joined by a who's who of hip-hop like De La Soul ("Soul Rebels"), Mos Def ("This Means You"), and Kool G Rap ("Ghetto Afterlife"), REFLECTION ETERNAL is packed with everything a hip-hop fan could want. A notable cut is "Down For the Count," which features Rah Digga, Xzibit and a cameo from boxing champion Lennox Lewis, here performing in something of a different style to his showbiz colleague Oscar De La Hoya. If you're looking for pure hip-hop, REFLECTION ETERNAL is for you.

Rolling Stone (10/26/00, p.112) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...This is the rare socially aware hip-hop record that can get fists pumping in a rowdy nightclub..." Entertainment Weekly (10/20/00, p.78) - "...Squeezing the history of R&B-with-a-conscience into 70 minutes....the dedication is undeniable..." - Rating: B- Q (1/01, p.111) - 3 out of 5 stars - "...He's forged an album that's up to its guest stars: cerebral but sparky..." Muzik (11/00, p.87) - 3 out of 5 - "...He remains an intelligent MC with a great turn of phrase..." CMJ (10/16/00, p.7) - "...An auspicious and ambitious hip-hop tour de force for the year 2000." Vibe (12/00, p.206) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Wholesome, heartfelt rap....oscillating between the sublime neo-soul sounds popularized by Jay Dee and his Soulquarian brethren and faster, more dynamic neck snappers..." The Source (12/00, pp.254-6) - 4 mics out of 5 - "...Talib defines himself as an artist in his own right....He has an invaluable gift: a rapid-fire flow that's extremely audible and easy to follow....Hi-tek provides the dramatic musical backdrop..."

Brooklyn-born Talib Kweli got his start as a hip-hop recording artist when he collaborated with DJ Hi-Tek. After numerous guest appearances and compilation tracks, the intelligent and thoughtful lyricist teamed up with his longtime friend Mos Def in 1998 and formed Black Star, the vehicle that brought success and acclaim to both rappers. Kweli went on to release REFLECTION ETERNAL with Hi-Tek in 2000 and his solo follow-up in 2002. In addition to his musical endeavors, Kweli, along with Mos Def, owns Brooklyn's Nkiru Center for Education & Culture.

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