Jill Scott has done what very few artists in recent memory have done, even in the last 10 years: she has given us the best R&B record of the year 2 years in a row.

This disc gives you WAY more than you're paying for. At 2 discs, one of which is live (with one of the tightest groove bands I've ever heard) and the other comprised of 9 new tracks (11 if you count the embedded hidden tracks on #9), you're getting a MASSIVE amount of Jill at the top of her form for very little cost. Considering you paid more for the last uneven Maxwell record, the had-to-grow-on-you Badu "Mama's Gun" and about a dozen or so other pointless exercises in R&B today, you're not only getting a bargain, you're practically set for the next 6 months.

I know what you're thinking: "I'm really only paying for 9(11) new songs, so what am I actualy getting new?"

The CD of new stuff is also pretty darn amazing, even if there are a few "huh?" moments there. The sister is a sassy chameleon of styles, out-Baduing Badu on "Gotta Get Up"(#2) and out-Graying Macy on "Sweet Justice"(#4), but almost to the point of sounding exactly like them, which isn't all bad, since her songs are stronger than almost all of the songs on Badu's "Mama's Gun" and both of Gray's albums put together with the national anthem thrown in. The songs flip from excellent smoothed out groove to sly hip-hoppy-ness to a pretty good live poem recitation. Her messages are clear, her voice strong and her production and unit tight as a new bongo head. Do the tracks dig in you like the first record? Not in the same way and not as deep upon first listen, but they stick with you and you'll be pulling your hair out trying to decide which disc to play for at least the next 4-6 months, no matter how much you play it. Sister Jill slips out of 2001 with the best R&B record of the year...maybe the best record of the year.

In the tradition of her debut Who Is Jill Scott, Jill has continued her journey of making love feel good again. She is definitely a preserver of pure R&B while innovating with the times, through the life and truth of her poetry and poetic song-writing. She exclaims on "Thickness" that she is a poet first and foremost. Like many poets, there is that balance between beauty and misunderstanding that intrigues us and disturbs us. What intrigues us about Jill is her endless passionate vocalizing, the solace of her songs, and the deep earth-like thunder of how she makes feel. What disturbs us about Jill is....well, better yet Jill is disturbing the current trend of bland pop confection splattered all over the radio, making all the cutesy manufactured R&B acts take notes about true musicianship. The feeling of any good live album is evoked here. That intimate feeling of being there, even when you're in your car or home, while Jill and the audience trade energy and excitement. Plus not to mention, be blessed with 9 new tracks from our soul mama savior, is just a journey beyond our wildest dreams. New tracks like "Thickness", "High Post Brotha" feauturing the genuine word-doctor Common, "Be Ready" and the ethereally magnificent "Sweet Justice" make you obsessively yearn for more, because Jill is a rare gem. Often compared to neo-soul contemporaries like Badu, India, and what have you, Jill has something that is her own, like the aforementioned. Jill has transcending soulful craftsmanship that is relevant to the lovers, the struggling 9 to 5er, the stressed-out college student, the sophisticated Wall Street types...everyone who has a heart that loves, pains, saddens, and elevates...Jill is representing the beauty in our laughter, love, and pain.

Jill Scott is great Live. This CD can give a taste of what it is like to Experience Ms. Scott. If you have Who Is Jill Scott Vol. 1, this album complements it very well. In addition to the live Disc, there is also an disc that features new material. Disc 2 give you a break from some of the songs that you have heard for the past year and a half and shows Jill in a different light, including songs with 4 Hero, and Eric Robertson. Check it out, it's Jill and that could never disappoint.

Peace & Blessings

Let me just say right off that bat that I think Jill is a great singer/poet/artist. She is very good at what she does, but Erykah Badu will always have her niche in this market. All this talk about how she robbed Erykah of her crown, blah, blah, blah is just unnecessary. They are two totally different artists. Further, Erykah is a trailblazer -- she was the first of this crop of neo soul artists to release a live set after only having released one CD. But enough about that.

I enjoyed Jill's live CD, but I think that the studio releases on the second CD are much better. Further, those live songs are being played to death, whereas I have yet to hear radio play one single from the latter. To her credit, Scott does a bit improvisation and attempts to breathe new life into the songs from her debut CD, and you do feel like you are right at one of her concerts. The live version of "He Loves Me," is interesting, but I prefer the operatic overtones of the studio version. Nonetheless, Scott gives a good performance. I especially liked her cover of "Find My Way," by a Tribe Called Quest.

The bulk of the new songs are kind of mellow and jazzy from the "Free", "Gotta Get Up," my workday anthem, "Sweet Justice" and the duet with Common. This CD also contains two hidden tracks, a reprise of "Gotta Get Up" and house remix of "He Loves Me," that I've been playing on the regular. I discovered this one night after I'd fallen asleep on the couch with this CD playing and it reached the end. After several minutes of silence, the first hidden track begins. I never really liked house music, but I am really feeling this version because it's funky.

On the whole, this set is a bargain because you are getting two CDs from a talented artist. I can't wait to hear what Ms. Scott does next.

I was a fan, but I am now a devotee of Jill Scott. She is the most innovative and soulful music artist to come around in a very long time. In my opinion the only one who comes close is Erika Badhu.(Who like Diana Ross has taken an unusual voice, alluring sensuality and big eyes and turned it into a successful career) This CD is simultaneously erotic, inspiring, humorous and soulful.

Ms. Scott has a very expressive voice that has a heavy bottom range and yet has the ability to soar to mezzo soprano when necessary. It seems apparent that she has had some formal vocal training. This artist is able to engage her audience with spontaneous banter and admonitions to participate fully in the concert. She even giggles and squeals when her largely female audience anticipates the lyrics they know so well.

With her talent and down to earth persona Jill Scott should carve out a long term presence in soul, r&b and even some crossover pop; if she chooses. This girl is a serious triple threat. She sings, she writes and she oozes sensuality with a natural beauty that exudes from the right place; inside/out.

My only disappointment was that the entire project wasn't live. That would've made the project perfect. If you're tired of canned, pre-fabricated and electronically generated music with overly produced background vocals give this a try. It'll take you back home. Put your feet up. Get a hamhock sandwich and some sweet tea. 'Cause Jill Scott will lay it down for you. This is hot. Buy it.