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New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) - UK Edition | 
| Artist: Erykah Badu
Label: Universal
Category: Music
List Price: £16.99
Buy New: £9.98
You Save: £7.01 (41%)
New (27) Used (2) from £6.22
Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 2874
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Running Time: 76
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 602517630581
EAN: 0602517630581
ASIN: B0013KJATS
Release Date: March 3, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 5 to 9 days
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| Tracks:
| • | Amerykahn Promise | | • | The Healer | | • | Me | | • | My People | | • | Soldier | | • | The Cell | | • | Twinkle | | • | Master Teacher | | • | That Hump | | • | Telephone | | • | Real Thang | | • | Honey | | • | New Amerykah Bandlink |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Subtitled 4th World War (when was the third, eh?), New Amerykah Part One is the first release in five years from the woman born Erica Wright. The wait was worthwhile though, as this smart, eclectic set, her fourth, adds to the grand tradition of socially conscious soul music. Literally so in the case of opener "Amerykahn Promise", spun by Badu straight over an obscure seventies funk track by Roy Ayers's protégés Ramp. "The Healer" is effectively a tribute to the power of hip hop to ground otherwise lost lives, while the deeply felt "Telephone" commemorates her friend, the late producer J Dilla (and was in fact written the day after his funeral). "The Healer" and "That Hump" deal with the damage caused by drug dependency and "Soldier" is a hard-hitting analysis of the state of Black America. None of which would count for much if the music didn't connect. Though Badu's quirks remain intact--the vocal/saxophone duet at the conclusion of the otherwise ice-cool "Me" (what else) is easily resisted--a terrific team of collaborators including idiosyncratic producers Madlib, 9th Wonder and the three man unit Sa-Ra keep New Amerykah Part One endlessly imaginative, tough, twisted beats sitting alongside softer jazz-funk grooves. The US public certainly assented, sending New Amerykah towards the top of the album charts. Only the eighties-style slow jam "Honey", charming in itself, seems at odds with the serious mood and is thus tagged on the end. The now eagerly anticipated Part Two is due later this year. --Steve Jelbert
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| Customer Reviews: Read 17 more reviews...
 (Hip-hop) love of Erykah's life November 28, 2008
In 200? Erykah surprised/shocked a few people with the release of `Love Of My Life' a duet with Common dedicated to hip-hop (she even raps on the video). This was a little bit unusual for the lady who had built a reputation as the neo-soul queen. Truthfully that track should not have been so surprising as the 1st single to her previous album sampled none other than Dr Dre (Xplosive from 2001). It was therefore not such a huge shock when I learned that the 1st single to her new album was produced by 9th Wonder (great video). What did shock me however was how far she takes the hip-hop influence in her album.
Most soul singers would have gone with Will.I.Am, Wyclef Jean, Kanye West or even The Neptunes (see Estelle) to create a radio ready but hip-hop sound. Ms Badu goes underground (in an attempt to channel the late great J Dilla) choosing Madlib (MF Doom), 9th Wonder (Little Brother) and chief contributors Sa-Ra Creative Partners.
The result is a disjointed effort which at first listen sounds like a mixtape styled blending of rhymes over beats. The production tends to be the dominant presence in this album when it was her voice (and skilled penmanship) that fuelled her past albums. Erykah herself also strays from her mainstay of melodies that accentuate her voice and opts for chants that are delivered in a rap like fashion, `The Cell'. As if taking a queue from collaborator Georgia Ann Muldrow she even distorts/contorts her voice to create an instrument sounds on `The Cell', `Twinkle' and `Master Teacher'.
Only in the final quarter of the album does Erykah return to the style that she is best known for. `That Hump' and `Telephone' leave you wishing that the album could continue for another 30 minutes.
After several listens however you as you begin to grasp the politically charged lyrics and you grow accustomed to the musical stylings of Sa-Ra the album starts to grow on you. And while it is far from my favourite Erykah CD it does have a place in my collection; next to J Dilla's "Donuts", filed under the section WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME
 Who wants to be part of the pack?? June 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Not me, and not Erykha Badu! If you want an album of songs that are designed to be radio friendly, then go and buy Mary J Blige's lasy album (or any of them really?). EB ROCKS! Listen to her albums:
Baduizm - totally chilled, laid back grooves, spine tinging stuff
Mama's Gun - Late night funk, sexy, tripping
Worldwide Underground - Get ready to go out with this, summer day, sexy
New Amerykah Part One - Pure hip-hop, sexy, difficult, loud, slightly dangerous, controversial
I can't pick a favourite EB album, as I get more excited and more surprised with every release. This latest didn't dissapoint. After just one listen, I realised that it sounded like nothing I have ever heard before.
I admit, I am not an expert on "Hip Hop" (to me in 1989, Betty Boo on casette was Hip Hop! ;-), but as I've gotten older, I've opened my mind up to different music. If this is Hip-Hop, then I love it!
Prime example-the first single from this album isn't even listed on the track listing-it's the last track, mixed with something else at the start and end. Pure class!
EB doesn't nead to join the pack-she's not even the leader of it. She's beyond that, and this proves how far ahead she is. This music isn't written for reviews or the chart, it's been crafted for the people who understand her and want to listen to her.
Of course, this is only MY opinion. But EB - Keep doing it. You are the Queen xx
 Very Very Disappointed May 21, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Yes we don't want an artist to release the same thing time after time and yes I accept I might not 'get it' BUT....
This is so way off the beaten track she's got lost in the back of the beyond! For me this album has become an expensive tea coaster. I loved her for her lyrics and the beautiful tones of her voice, neither of which you can hear on this album. If this had been her first album she'd have sunk without trace!
Be warned don't buy this if you're not in to 'experimental' music. I wont be going to see her live next time around - I don't want to shell out 40 to listen to something that to be quite honest I find painfull!
Dig a little deeper!! April 29, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Erykah has never dissapointed yet. The more you listen to this the more you love it. There's more creativity, subtlty, soul and attitude than any other major album that I have heard in the last few years. You can tell that this is the album that she wanted to make rather than playing it for the sales. lovely, outstanding, energising, Erykah Badu!!!!!!!!
Disappointed April 26, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
I was so excited when I ordered this album, it was about time Erykah emergered and brought out some new material, but when I put it in my CD player I was thoroughly disappointed. Where are the songs? I understand she's expressing herself as an artist, but when it compromises real music, it goes too far. Promicing lyrics but she doesn't let us hear them fluantly. A lot of noise quite frankly. Whats happened Erykah?
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