American Me

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A Grossly Underrated Masterpiece - 5 STARS
If you're reading this, you are undoubtedly familiar with the legacy that Pete Rock & CL Smooth created throughout the early 90s. Personally, they created my favorite hip-hop album of all time with "Mecca & The Soul Brother". With that said, big time fans may be a bit discouraged by this LP. After all, aside from a few guest appearances, CL hasn't been the most active rapper since 1994. Also, some fans will simply dismiss this album because Pete Rock isn't in his corner. Contrary to popular belief, Pete Rock was not the sole reason for the duo's cult-like following or popularity. And the more I listen to this LP, the more I think CL Smooth is the man that held them so tightly together. One point that nobody can argue is that CL Smooth is spitting ill rhymes and flows as if he's been recording an album every year since 1994. The amazing part is how good he sounds over these beats. This is where the controversy comes into play. Many fans will ignore this joint simply because Pete Rock isn't behind the boards (actually, he does stop by once). The production credits are extensive: Mike Loe, Rsonist (Heatmakerz), Kaygee & Tramp, Squarta, DonJoe & Del, and Pete Rock. I'm not sure how long it took them to record this album, but CL Smooth is just fitting right in as if he's been working with them for years. The chemistry is boiling on par with the Pete Rock days. And to be honest, Pete Rock's beat is outshined a number of time by these relatively unknown producers. The mix never feels cluttered or overproduced, and sounds just as cohesive as a Pete Rock platter of beats - I know, hard to believe, right? That's the same conclusion I keep coming back around to after several listens. The extraordinary introduction prepares you for CL's assault of outstanding talent. The title track rolls in with a fly guitar lick, a track masterminded by Rsonist. And CL Smooth is flowing over it like butter. CL's lyrics are a bit more political than usual, bringing up a few more topics that relate to the struggle of urban decay. But overall, his stance is similar to the old days - strong rhymes, solid flow & conscious lyrics. Mike Loe drops the addictive soundscape on "I Can't Help It". CL's flows match this production beautifully. Sounds like a hit to me. "Call On Me" boasts a seductive chorus from female vocalist Nazz. CL comes through with a set of warm soothing lyrics. A beautiful tune. "CL Smooth Unplugged" may be my favorite joint here. Squarta drops a loop similar to Air's "Moon Safari" production. Ultra hot chemistry here. Rsonist drops another dope beat on "Warm Outside", and CL, once again eases into it and enhances the feel. At this point in the mix, I'm thinking - is there any beat CL can't flow over? "Gorilla Pimpin" sounds nice, thanks to Kaygee & Tramp's dope hook. "The Impossible" boasts a little dirtier guitar riff that CL, as usual, works well with. "It's A Love Thing" is the lone track produced by Pete Rock, which will obviously be a fan favorite. As usual, Pete makes a beautiful and full soundscape (with soothing vocals by Denosh), that works perfectly with CL. It's on par with the best joints on the album, but honestly, there's better in my opinion. "Smoke In The Air" is another quality with memorable production. Rsonist (my favorite at this point) drops another banger on "The Stroll" to get the blood pumping just before the "Outro". We are treated with 2 more tracks at the end - "All We Ever Know" & "Heaven Is Watching You". Not bonus track per se, and they heighten the quality of the album nicely. Regardless of what old school hip-hop heads will tell you, this albums deserves a healthy push as one of CL Smooth's crowning achievements. It's by far his most ambitious work to date, and how it gets labeled as anything but a classic (or perhaps near classic) is truly beyond me.

Pure Genius......The Mecca Don Is Back
I'll be the first to admit that Mecca & The Soul Brother was the only thing in my walkman during my sophomore of high school and after The Main Ingredient, I was one of those who were broken hearted by the split of CL and Pete Rock....however, this return by CL Smooth was well worth the wait. American Me has classic written all over it. The first track "American Me" is a hard hitting-in your face-bass thumping track...but once track 4 hit.."Call On Me"...I was sold....I have to steal a comment from another reviewer on this one...."It is reminiscent to "Lots Of Love" from Mecca & The Soul Brother with a beautiful chorus lacing CL's smoothed out flow. Of course, the Pete Rock produced "It's A Love Thing" is a perfect reunion for Mount Vernon's finest producer/MC duo. Personally, there isn't one flaw on this album. Classic in my book.

American Me...The Return of the Mecca Don.
All I can say is...about time. We've waited years for a return of CL's crisp, smooth flow and it was worth the wait. After hearing the new songs he was doing with Pete Rock over the last few years and his few guest shots on afew cats albums I was eagerly awaiting this. It starts off very strongly and remains at a consistent level through-out. With a freestyled one verse intro to a anthemic beat we're introduced again to the Mecca Don's offical return. After that he really heats it up with "American Me" and "I Can't Help It". 2 of the stronger cuts on show here, where CL tears 2 bone crushing beats backed by crisp snares and horns. Really hard rhymes from CL here, as he says afew times on the album, he's "back harder than ever" and its evident here. With "Call on Me" he returns to his laidback, mellow vibe with a song similar to "lots of love" from "mecca+the soul brother" where he shouts out his family and loved ones over a beautifully lush and jazzy arrangement. After the "Black Heart Radio Interlude" he picks up where he left off and rhymes like a seasoned veteran that he is over a smooth beat on "CL Smooth Unplugged". "Warm Outside" is that good old fashioned summer feel song, which makes sense since CL recorded alot of this album during the '06 summer. "Terrorism Interlude" gives CL a chance to spit something abit more serious and he does just that with a one versed rhyme about the scares alot of countries (the U.S. in particular) now have to face. Then comes "Gorilla Pimpin", who ever thought you'd hear CL SMOOTH refer to himself as a pimp, but it happens here+he pulls it off without sounding dated or played out. Next we have the rock influenced "Impossible". Another high moment on this album for the Mecca Don. Awesome!!! "It's a Love Thing" is the solitary Pete Rock produced track on here and it really stands out, not just because it was previously released on Pete's "Soul Survivor 2". "Smoke in the Air" to me is the standout cut, the anthem if you will to herald the great man's return from his hiatus. Out-standing!!!! After the brief "Travel Sometime Interlude" we get the one weak-ish track in comparison to the others in my book, "The Stroll" and yet its still tighter than alot of other artists best s*it at the moment. Next up is the "American Me Outro" where CL spits another one versed joint to close proceedings nicely and duely reminds them that the album isnt over just yet. The album finishes on a strong note with 2 tight joints "All We Ever Know" and "Heaven Is Watching You". One thing that will stick out to alot of heads, myself included was the high standard of production and the fact he didnt over compensate quality for quantity by doing 16 tracks or more. He kept it at 12 official tracks of very high quality. Mike Loe who produced the entire "Smoke+Mirrors" album by O.C. is all over this providing 7 beats (5 tracks plus 2 of the interludes), Rsonist from the Heatmakerz does 3 with Kaygee providing afew plus the Pete Rock joint. Although I did find 1 or 2 tracks a little average overall I think its a brilliant return from a master that the hiphop game really needed right now.

An excellent return to the scene!!!!!!!
I was kind of scared to buy this album because when you have an artist that has been off the scene for as long as C.L. has you have to wonder if he still has the "magic" that he had back in the day. American Me minus Pete Rock is a classic from beginning to end. C.L's lyrics and delivery are amazing, maybe even better than he was before. C.L. doesn't stop with the lyrics, the production on the album is very nice also. There are some old school funk beats and samples. I am totally satisfied with this purchase and I recommend this album to everyone who know and loves hip hop.

C.L. Smooth - American Me
I was happy to see C.L. Smooth (A.K.A. Corey Penn) release his debut solo album this year with "American Me" (2006). Two oldschool album's which I still get play to this day from are his collaborations with Pete Rock on "Mecca and the Soul Brother" (1992) & "The Main Ingredient" (1994). Outside of a handful of collaborations with Pete Rock after their official breakup in 1995- Mount Vernon's C.L. has been missing from the Rap Game for years. Stand out tracks for me on this release are the on point "Can't Help It", the outstanding "Call On Me" and the laidback "It's A Love Thing" which is produced by Pete Rock. This album generally vibes well and has good continuity. "American Me" is solid album, definetly one of the most slept on releases of this year. 3.5.