Jill Scott The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Volume 3

By now, every sister who believes she has a multitude of frenemies has banged the "sister with an attitude anthem of the summer" Hate on Me, by multi platinum performance artist extraordinaire Jill Scott. I wasn't exceptionally impressed with the song, but I needed Jill to give me something, after the dismal and disappointing, Collaborations released last Spring. Hate on Me, is simply a catchy play ground tune, and pales in comparison to the third installment of her Words and Sounds series.

The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Volume 3, is an excursion into a poet, singer, songwriter's soul, innermost beauty, and painful break-up with husband Lyzel Williams. I have not been moved by a collection of emotions on a single album, since Me shell N'degeOcello's Bitter.

The intro, Let It Be, gives us a sample of the beauty and strength of her voice. As a poet we all know retorts, "she feels trapped in a box", Jill, too, proclaims she and her music are universal, and to just ".. whatever it is, let it be."

The melodic rock influenced mid-tempo title track, The Real Thing, is fantastic, ".... when you're lost, and need some focus. Come see me." Although she sells herself short with some lines "like Cleopatra Jones, I can set your straight" the song in itself is really good.

But, when she gets into what she does best, ballads. You want more. Come See Me, My Love, How's It Make You Feel, Insomnia, and Whenever You're Around we find Jill at her best, vulnerable and honest. And every woman's questionable desire "Wanna Be Loved" is a smooth request.

How's it Make You Feel, should clearly be a sister's mantra. Questioning every person who takes black women for granted. She questions "how would if feel if every black female in the world disappears..... No brown sugar on your cocoa." Hauntingly beautiful and moving. She doesn't provide answers, just questions.

On Epiphany, we find her sultry clear voice, rapping to a what appears to be a ?uestlove drum beat, with a nice riff in the back ground. Her voice, pure and sensual. Pay attention to the words, as it is true poetry. Would love a remix with the Roots or Common. Crown Royal, along the same lines, has a smooth beat, very poetic. Both songs are equally erotic, if you are able to follow the words. Excellent word play.

As usual, there are a couple of bonus tracks. Look for Imagination/Crown Royal Suite.

For those of us that have been thirsty for TRUE JILL, this is a must have. She has matured as an artist and as a woman. We are able to experience true artistic emotion void of radio catch phrases, vulgarity, and insulting sexual visuals. Instead, we find Neo-Soul at it's best, lyrically rhythmical. You won't find this music on the radio. As a matter of fact, true fans will be GRATEFUL that she does not get any air play, as it would be an insult to sandwich her between "Crank Dat" and "Bed".

Jill Scott, along with Queen Latifah aka Dana Owens's Trav'lin' Light a second foray into the realm of jazz, soul, and blues as well as the incomparable Me shell N'degeOcello's The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams will all be released on September 25, 2007. Go out and support the sisters.

Check out VH1.com's The Leak to listen to The Real thing: Words and Sounds Volume 3, in it's entirety.