Review: Jazzy Jeff - Return of the Magnificent

Jazzy Jeff
Return of the Magnificent

Return of the Magnificent probably is Jazzy Jeff's most hyped solo albums to date and with good reason. It's that good. Jeff was able to snag artist from almost every spectrum of the underground hip-hop genre, and almost every track is hot right out of the box. Jeff's production skills get a true workout over the likes of everyone from Method Man to CL Smooth.The new skoolers hold it down on this disc: Peedi somehow holds it together with "Brand New Funk," J-Live contributes on the outstanding "Practice," and Rhymefest silences the critics with "Jess N Fess." The grown and sexy crowd is throughly represented as well: Method Man's "Hold It Down," is one of the hottest Method songs I've heard in a long time. Big Daddy Kane is resurrected for "The Garden," one of the weaker tracks on the disc, and Pos represents for De La Soul on "Let Me Hear U Clap."

R&B is represented on this album to, with newcomer ChinahBlac complimenting the oh so sexy "Touch Me Wit Ur Handz," (which unfortunately reminds me a little too much of a Floetry song) and DC native Raheem DeVaughn contributes to "My Soul Is For Sale." (This dude is pure talent.)

My only beef with this album is a common beef for all rap albums: the skits. This time we follow Jeff as he drive down from Philly to Atlanta. Other than an a somewhat funny segment with Will Smith, the skits basically interrupted the flow of the album and were really not needed.

Other than that, I really cannot find any flaws with this album. Jeff gives underground hip-hop a much needed shot in the arm with Return of the Magnificent. Go out to your favorite record store and buy it now.