Anybody that knows of/understands Brother Ali knows that he puts his heart and soul into his music. Yet, he had to take a break to focus on his personal life. Sometimes, you have to do that to get your family situation straight. Plus, there were trials and tribulations he had to deal with (death of his father and Eyedea). But now? He’s back. In lieu to the American struggle that has been occurring for quite a while, he has been doing what he does best: voicing the concerns and ideals of the common man. Mourning in America and Dreaming In Color, fully produced by Jake One, is just as proficient and impressive as any other release he has done.

 

Personally, if someone puts this in their top lists for the year I couldn’t disagree.

 

Lyrically, Ali doesn’t stray far from his regular way of doing things. He still gets ultra-personal on tracks like “Stop The Press”. He still takes time to share the truth about certain politically aimed situations on “Mourning In America”. He still gives the blue collar workers a holler on “Work Everyday”. The list of tracks can go on and on.

 

What people have to realize is this: it seems as if every song is an explicit experience. The songs rarely go farther than four minutes. Yet, some of the tracks are so encompassing that they seem to go on longer than that. Call it great music. Call it “striking a nerve”. I don’t know which way people should view it. I do know this: Brother Ali is in his musical zone stronger than ever.

 

The production on the album never falters in any moment. The indirectly laced “Need a Knot” may fool some into thinking Ali was reaching for a southern sound until they give the song closer analysis. The track, however, is so funky that it doesn’t even matter. Yet, all the tracks are like this: the production is so deftly done that it makes the lyrics that more listenable. Simply put: Jake One did his thing on the production tip.

 

And yes, I only pointed out one song production wise. Want to know about the other songs? Buy his album.

 

Not for nothing, Brother Ali fans will be delighted by this album. He worked to make an album that channels the concerns of the common American into an equivocally musical composition. The only thing is this: will this album be appreciated like it should. People need to buy this album the same way they support Cruel Summer and Based On A T.R.U. Story. Then again, it is this type of meaningful music that is usually ignored. Still, one can’t help but applaud the grandiose greatness of a humble Albino Muslim that loves his people as much as his music.