(G.O.O.D./Stomp)

The first independent release from Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music label

Though Kanye West’s name is on both CDs, his role in G.O.O.D. Morning, G.O.O.D. Night isn’t entirely clear. He ‘hand-picked’ the songs and raps on a couple of them, but did he produce any? Doesn’t say on this promo. Malik Yusef is on most of the songs however, delivering his mix of spoken word and rap. The concept is that one album is day and the other is night, so Dawn starts with Yusef waking up with his lady, but the lyrics soon stop referencing the concept and instead the themes of love, religion and Chicago dominate (presumably that last one is due to the Kanye influence). Yusef loves clever wordplay, mostly puns and acronyms, but overuses them. The effect is like having whole songs composed from the names of The Black Eyed Peas. V.E.R.SE. (Very Entertaining Recitals Spit Effortlessly) is one of the worst offenders, though it does have a sly little reference to Kanye’s blog that’s a laugh. Elevated (So High) features Yusef lyrics like “I am referred to as honey child cause I bee in her nectar” and rhymes Smeagol with spread-eagle. Musically it’s a standout though, with an Indian Bollywood sound that’s better than the generic urban behind a lot of the songs. An exception is made for KRS-1’s guest appearance where he drops some street knowledge that feels out of place, perhaps because it’s excellent and not much else here is.

**½

JODY MACGREGOR

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