Guiding Light: Scott takes a fresh route to reach memory lane

I’ll admit when I first saw the promotional material for Jill Scott’s new album I was a bit worried. Despite the fact that I’m a longtime fan of Scott’s I was concerned that the majority of the buzz seemed to center around her fairly recent divorce, significant weight loss, and controversial comments instead of the music- rarely a good sign. On the day of the album’s release I pressed play with trepidation. But with the first hint of the fresh hip hop beats and piercingly straight forward lyrics Jill Scott’s newest album Light of The Sun revisits the world first introduced to listeners with her Grammy nominated debut  “Who is Jill Scott Words and Sounds Volume One” and makes it clear that despite the mixed press Scott is  all about the music. But while listeners are given a taste of where it all began for the thirty-nine year old songstress there is something refreshingly different about this album where Scott’s lyrics and voice radiate a confidence that is as substantial as it is buoyant. “Le boom vent suite” wields this confidence like a sword the lyrics coasting haughtily over the track produced by JR Hutson and Scott herself. “All Cried Out Redux” not only features the legendary hip-hop artist Doug E. Fresh but a  savory self-indulgent air from Scott that adds a wonderfully light hearted element to her work.  On “Hear My Call” the Philly girl who cast a spell over the hip-hop and R&B community returns with a beautifully vulnerable performance. And she effortlessly delivers a ballad that is both downhearted and sensual with “Missing You” also produced by Hutson. The poem performed by Scott at an event celebrating American Poetry by the President and First Lady entitled “Womanifesto” appears under its original title although slightly modified and doesn’t fail to remind fans that Scott has earned her title a published poet as well as a songwriter and recording artist with its spirited message of self-validation. She steps fearlessly out of her comfort zone by collaborating with southern hip hop artist Paul wall on the sexy track “So Gone [what my mind says] in a totally unexpected manner. It is here that Scott brings a cool edge to her trademark neo soul style. And while the collaboration seems ill fitting it is a testament to Scott’s growth as an artist as well as her potential to break out of the often marginalized neo-soul genre. The album’s crown jewel is most her collaboration with fellow Philadelphia native rapper EVE on the triumphant and fun single “Shame”. It is this song that embodies the overall direction of the album. Instead of dragging Scott off course this shift in direction boasts a splendidly even distribution between the old and the new Jill, fusing together the very best of what she has to offer to create something masterful. And now that this balance has been struck there’s no telling what new and thrilling territories Scott will explore next now that she’s got the light of the sun leading the way.