Erykah Badu steps back into the spotlight with a new turban and R&B vibe, all wrapped up in her latest album, "Mama's Gun." A long playing - 72 minutes to be exact - serpentine fusion of R&B, jazz and soul, "Gun" follows the same road that artists like Lauryn Hill, The Roots and Bob Marley once traveled. Badu presents the same rap-based beat and loose R&B musical groove that filled 1997's "Baduizm." A slight departure from her normal style, "Mama's Gun" boasts an almost overpowering lyrical presence.
While Badu's free-flowing, spoken and sung lyrics create the usual light and sweet harmony, the storylike imagery of her words loses its novelty after the first few tracks.
With its stock '70s organ and whining guitar riffs, "Penitentiary Philosophy" easily could have been featured in this summer's "Shaft" soundtrack. The power-punching song appears as Badu's first track. However, Badu writes on the CD that she shuffled the track order at the last minute.
"Penitentiary"'s rising organ crescendo and gospel backing vocals provide a great chorus that unfortunately can't be found anywhere else on the album.
The second track, "Didn't Cha Know," slithers between "Penitentiary" and the upbeat third track, "My Life," building up to the autobiographical, straight-forward "Life." A strong drumbeat, echoing the similar style of The Roots' percussionist, keeps the rhythm alive, while Badu's words are at their most cognitive. This honest song about life and change cuts straight to "... & On," a jazzy piano melody that boasts a string bass line and a dramatic gun shot interlude. "Cleva," a feminist ballad, interrupts the charming melody of " ... & On" as the album starts to fold in on itself. The song's beat is slow and deliberate and the tinkling of the mellotron is sleep-inducing.
"Gun" sorely lacks any sort of musical or lyrical pause, which would rejuvenate listeners' interest. Badu overdubs her voice through a computer, and her lyrical metaphors of marijauna use become lost in an indecipherable funk-inspired chorus. But, "A.D. 2000" becomes a welcome oasis in a desert of dry songs. Its novel but captivating acoustic riff and sparkling chorus show Badu's talent as a musician. The song brings hope to the desperate fan and segues into the beautiful "Orange Moon."
"Moon" is Badu at her best. A sad and slow jazz ballad, reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald, Badu's voice soars over the octaves, while a classic string bass thumps along with the vocal melody. "In Love With You" and "Gun"'s first single "Bag Lady" continue along the same groove. A twangy guitar melody and classic gospel back up give this single more life than "In Love With You." "Gun"'s final two tracks are dissapointing and undercooked. "Green Eyes" concludes the album with a nostalgic jazz cut.
"Mama's Gun" has its moments, but is nonetheless confusing and unbalanced. The album's uplifting opener and tasteless body contrast sharply with its slow and jazzy conclusion. Badu's shuffled track order and missing lyrics should disappoint serious listeners. However, her conscientious lyrics, when not overtly vague, provide a powerful base to which listeners can relate. "Gun" marks Badu's transition from a stale R&B performer, previously explored on her first album, to a smooth and original jazz songstress.
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